Fisheries
Applied Research and Technical Assistance
Helena Field Office
Climate change and native fish management in western North America
The US Geological Survey’s
National Climate Change and Wildlife Science
Center (NCCWSC)
has recently funded scientists at USGS, US Forest Service, US Fish and
Wildlife Service, Colorado State University, and Trout Unlimited to study
the potential impacts of a warming climate on fish and aquatic resources in
western North America. Under the direction of
Dr. Jeff Kershner (Principal Investigator), USGS Northern Rocky Mountain
Science Center, we will identify populations and habitats of “at risk” inland
native salmonids so managers can proactively develop and implement
conservation and restoration measures to protect critical populations and
habitats. The geographic focus of this project is the Northern Rocky
Mountains and links to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s
Strategic Habitat
Conservation planning and Landscape Conservation Cooperative effort in
that area.
TASKS (2009-2011)
1.
Produce and compile high‐resolution climate data sets based on regional
climate models
2.
Develop hydrologic, thermal, and geomorphic models to downscale climate
effects to stream habitats
3.
Develop biological models that predict salmonid population attributes
from stream habitat
4.
Assess the potential effects of climate change on stream habitats and
trout species
5.
Develop decision support tool to integrate future changes, provide risk
assessments, and prioritize management options.
EXPECTED APPLICATION
Climate datasets and species distribution models will be used by resource
managers dealing with aquatic systems, including the USGS, FWS, USFS, BLM,
state management agencies, and private organizations that are working to
conserve and protect “at risk” salmonids. Workshops will be used to present
species-specific, portable decision support tools (Bayesian Belief Neworks or
Bayes nets) to managers and provide hands‐on training.
Back to Fisheries Applied
Research and Technical Assistance
