The Ohio River Ecosystem

Photo of the Ohio River National Wildlife Refuge by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The Ohio River is home to a diverse and rich ecosystem all throughout the length of the river. This ecosystem, however, has been under fire due to a combination of pollution, habitat destruction, and other man made influences. Many of the species that called the Ohio River their home faced endangerment at one point or another, especially before many of the regulations for the Ohio River were set in place. According to a Post-Gazette article from June of 2019, certain species of birds were endangered to the point where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service counted only 16 nests along an island that normally boasts a healthy population. Today, that same stretch of river contains about 150 nests; a large improvement from the mid 90's. While this doesn't mean that these species of birds are in the clear, it does show a trend that populations along the river are bouncing back.

What has Changed?

A large reason for the growth in many endangered species along the river is the fact that conservation groups are stepping up to help protect the river. One of the largest conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, has done monumental work for endangered species on the river through the creation of the Ohio River National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is made up of about 20 islands on the Ohio River which are under habitat protection. On top of protecting bird species along the river, this organization has also worked to reintroduce mussels to areas in the river in which they have been eliminated previously. The refuge has stated that their success in their conservation efforts have led to the recovery of large portions of the Ohio River's ecosystems.

It is imperative that groups like these are not acting in isolation to protect the river. Further support must be given to these organizations both on a federal and local level, as it has been shown that these groups have had a notable and positive effect on the health of the river. Support from local communities is very important for conservation groups, as many times the groups and communities must work in combination to enact change. The importance of this effort cannot be overstated enough, as a healthy river ecosystem is in the best interest of everyone, not just the birds.