ABSTRACT
Excluding Alaska, the United States has 5,859,608 km of streams and rivers (USEPA, 2000). Besides lakes and oceans, streams and rivers are also homes to sh, benthic invertebrates, and many other aquatic organisms. The biodiversity, integrity, and biotic productivity of stream organisms are affected by the physical, chemical, and biological properties of stream habitats. Fish are considered a nontimber benet of forested watersheds. Under ecological management concepts, stream habitats need to be protected and enhanced so that populations of cold-and warm-water sh can be maintained, threatened sh populations can be stabilized, and endangered species can be preserved. Improper forestry activities and management often impose adverse impacts upon stream habitats and in turn upon aquatic life.
