Projects
Rio Tinto Research Chair in climate change and freshwater fish ecology
Overview
This research program investigates how spatial and temporal variability in water temperature - caused by natural processes, land use, wildfires and river regulation - influence fish behaviour and survival. The research falls under two themes: 1) thermal preference and behavioural thermoregulation; and 2) thermal tolerance. The species of interest for this research program include sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, whitefish, and white sturgeon. These species are important to the economy, ecosystems, communities and diverse cultures in the Nechako Watershed, and are sensitive to spatial and temporal changes in thermal habitat. This research will improve our knowledge of how water temperature influences fish in the Nechako Watershed to inform management practices and policies in the region.
Research Team
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Kirsten Mathison
MSc student studying rainbow trout
Lucas Moura
PhD candidate studying mountain whitefish
Jonny Russell
PhD candidate studying sockeye salmon
NSERC Alliance
Overview
This research program investigates habitat selection and thermoregulation Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Nechako watershed. Over the past several decades, these species have experienced significant alterations in temperature and flow regimes in the Nechako River due to climate change, land use, change, and flow regulation. This research will improve our knowledge on fish responses to changes in temperature and flow to inform management practices and policies in the Nechako River.
Research Team
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Avery Dextrase
PhD candidate studying white sturgeon
John Gray
PhD student studying Chinook salmon
NSERC Discovery
Overview
This research program investigates how temperature effects freshwater fish behaviour, survival, reproduction, and abundance. The species of interest for this research program include different species from the Fraser River and Peace River watersheds in British Columbia (sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon, Arctic grayling, burbot, sculpin), and the Amazon River basin (tambaqui, arowana, armoured catfish, discus, pirarucu) in Brazil. This research will enhance our understanding and ability to predict freshwater fish responses to climate change, and inform their management and conservation.
Research Team
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Current Members
Lucas Moura
PhD candidate studying multiple fish
Eli Peixoto
MSc student studying pirarucu
Joe Bottoms, PhD
Studied Arctic grayling
Caleb Jetter, MSc
Studied white sturgeon
Alumni
Tom Balfour, MSc
Studied sockeye salmon
Bryce O'Connor, MSc
Studied Arctic grayling
Devon Smith, MSc
Studied white sturgeon