Whiteside, Bobby G.Gonzales, Mike2024-07-242024-07-241988-05Gonzales, M. (1988). An examination of the biotic integrity of the upper San Antonio River based on fish community attributes (Unpublished thesis). Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.https://hdl.handle.net/10877/19233The San Antonio River rises from spring flow and well pumpage upstream from the downtown area in San Antonio, Texas. Changes in water quality and habitat occur due to urbanization and channelization, as the stream flows through the city. Habitat alterations due to channelization or water quality degradation have a significant influence on the aquatic biota. An assessment of the Upper San Antonio River ecosystem was conducted using a series of fish community attributes related to species composition and trophic structure. Sampling of the standing stocks of fish species was conducted from April through September 1987. Fish collections were evaluated to determine an index of biotic integrity at six sampling locations and these were compared with morphological and physicochemical stream information. Changes in water quality were slight but a definite response to intensive channelization was found for the following variables: total number of fish species, number of intolerant species, number of sunfishes and number of top predators collected. The index of biotic integrity appears to be useful as a means of determining ecological trends in lotic habitats, and can provide a comprehensive approach for assessing aquatic resource quality when used in conjunction with other measures of habitat and water quality.Text58 pages1 file (.pdf)enfisheswater qualityfish populationsSan Antonio RiverThesis