Assessment of the effects of climate warming on Great Lakes basin fishes

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0380-1330(87)71656-6· OSTI ID:7041070

Meisner, J D; Goodier, J L; Regier, H A; Shuter, B J; Christie, W J

The authors combine information on the influence of temperature on the physiology and ecology of fishes with information on the interrelationships between climate and physical limnology for an initial assessment of the impact of future climate warming on fishes and their habitats in the Great Lakes basin. The predicted increase in mean annual air temperature of 3.2-4.8 /sup 0/C is not expected to extirpate fish taxa in the basin. Habitat warming in streams and lakes will likely shrink extant populations of salmonines and coregonines through reductions in preferred thermal habitat and allow range extensions of cyprinids, esocids, centrarchids, and ictalurids. Competition for optimal thermal space within thermal niches will increase, resulting in changes in community composition. Relatively rapid changes in water level would adversely affect the structure of wetlands and littoral areas, reducing their efficacy as spawning and nursery areas. Changes in fisheries yields of preferred species are expected.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
• OSTI ID: 7041070
• Journal Information: J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States) Vol. 13:3; ISSN JGLRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560200 -- Thermal Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CLIMATES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FISHES
GREAT LAKES BASIN
HABITAT
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
VERTEBRATES
WATERSHEDS