How will fish in Arctic lakes respond to climate change?

This project will examine how the distribution of important food and sport fishes in Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA) and Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) lakes will shift in response to climate change. In order to forecast future changes, we will collect baseline data on fish communities and water quality for 60 lakes and develop habitat suitability models for burbot, trout, grayling, and walleye. This project will produce important baseline fish data for the GSA and ISR, and will provide information that can be used by resource boards in the development of management plans for coldwater fisheries.

Watch this video describing some of the results from this project presented by Dr. Alyssa Murdoch:

Plain language report for communities: Plain language report

Associated students: Jasmina Vucic, Rachel Cohen, Matthew Teillet, Thomas Pretty, Mariam Elmarsafy

Collaborators: Dr. Sapna Sharma (York University), Dr. Alyssa Murdoch (York University)

Funding: Northwest Territories Cumulative Impacts Monitoring Program