Numbers represent imperiled species during years of listing activity. In terms of ecological requirements, most imperiled species are those that live in small to large creeks and small rivers, are closely associated with clean stream-bottom substrates, or are isolated in spring and cave environments. This geographic trend is correlated with both a high level of diversity in the respective hydrologic regions and the quite localized or endemic distributions of many species. Most jeopardized species have restricted distributions, but the number of more geographically widespread species that are disappearing from large portions of their ranges is increasing. In the Southeast, fish declines are the result of the same factors that cause global deterioration of aquatic resources, primarily habitat loss and degraded environmental conditions.
Aquatic resources are often resilient and capable of recovery, given favorable conditions.
The first step required is to improve public education on the value and status of native aquatic organisms. The southeastern fish fauna is a national treasure of biodiversity that is imminently threatened. If this precious heritage is to be passed on, its stewardship must be improved through cooperative actions of all public and private sectors within the region. Deacon, I.E., G. Kohetich, J.D. Williams, S. Contreras, et al. Etnier, D.A. 1994.