Modelling of non-native fish species responses to climate change (ALIENFISH&CLIMCHANGE)

Description:

Non-native species introductions are a major concern in Europe and globally, threatening biodiversity, ecosystem function and global economies; this will be exacerbated with climate change. Current climate change models for Europe and the UK predict: progressively warmer, wetter winters; warmer, dryer summers; an increase in extreme river flows. This is likely to increase the risk of non-native species reproductive potential and dispersal, which are key factors in establishment success. Using pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus in ambient and warm-water conditions as a case study, the Fellowship aims to:
- Assess pumpkinseed growth and reproductive traits in nature (using methods currently employed for the species);
- Acquire estimates of spawning event frequency in nature and in the lab to assess reproductive output (direct observation in semi-natural ponds via a novel telemetry array system, and in lab experiments, plus egg size distribution analysis on wild caught fish);
- Determine pumpkinseed dispersal rates from floodplain water bodies into receiving streams (using drift nets to estimate propagule pressure); no information available.

The experiments revealed that pumpkinseed fish are likely to become more invasive in the UK under warmer climatic conditions. On-going field samples indicated a link between pumpkinseed dispersal and the establishment of new populations, with pumpkinseed in the UK expected to shift form non-invasive to invasibe under the predited warmer climatic consitions. There were indications for a risk of dispersal of alien fish species under the more variable discharge regimes predicted for climate change.

Project information

Lead

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS ACTING THROUGH THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE (UK)- Susan Bramford

Partners

no information available

Source of funding

FP 7