Answer -What does fish climate change in western Ontario tell about the effects of forestry
Researchers at Trent University are immersing themselves in forests and streams in North -Western Ontario, to understand how forestry practices and climate change Brook trout population and freshwater ecosystems affect.
The team is working in Wocinshaw and Wolf Watersheds in the north -east of Thunder Bay. They are focused on the headwater stream, which are small rivers that feed large waterways in great lakes.
“Northern freshwater ecosystems are currently experiencing large disturbances, two of which are forest crops and climate change. One of the effects of climate change is an increase in water temperature. And the results of these approximate temperatures on the stream ecosystem are still not clear,” said PHD student Celestte Milli.
Brook trout, a cold water species is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, the ecosystem serves as an important indicator of health.
“They thrive at low temperatures. While they begin to suffer around 19, 20 degrees,” Milli said.
Fieldwork includes researchers using a combination of traditional and advanced techniques, including electrophizing, which briefly stuns the fish to measure, count and release them. They also use environmental DNA samples. The water collected from the currents consists of DNA shed by fish and other organisms, allowing the team to estimate the population and assess food webs without disturbing the ecosystem. Milli also collects samples of insects and biofilm – a thin layer on the surfaces that have bacteria, algae and fungi – better to understand how forest management and temperature changes affect the aquatic food chain.
The project is supervised by Andrew Tenantzap, Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Northern Ecosystem.
“Because we are working with the Department of Canadian One Services and Fisheries and Oceans on this research, hope that we can use this research to better inform the forest management practices that how to protect and conserve aquatic biodiversity and freshwater health,” Tantzap said.
He said that the study makes in New Breanswick and on the previous research near Sutt Stei. Mary. Research is conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Canadian Forest Service, Fisheries and Natural Resources of Ottario, Canada and Ontario.
Milli said that research may help notify science-based policy decisions in the northern forests of Canada, ensuring that both forest ecosystems and freshwater resources are flexible in changing climate.
He said that he hoped that the team will have results for sharing with federal partners over the next few years.
