Multiscale assessment of spatial population dynamics of inshore rockfish populations

气候变化、栖息地改变和过度开发是威胁世界范围内海洋种群的主要过程，包括加拿大的海洋种群。不列颠哥伦比亚省佐治亚州海峡附近深峡湾海洋生态系统中的近岸岩鱼种群(如：Sebases Caounus，S.Maliger)可能面临特别大的风险，因为这些威胁已经被记录在案，而且未来可能会增加。此外，岩鱼的生活史和生态特征在已灭绝或受威胁的海洋物种中是常见的。例如，岩鱼寿命长(45-76岁)，出生率相对较低，成熟年龄较高(12-18岁)，定居到深岩礁后流动性较低。因此，美国的一些岩鱼种群被认为“濒临灭绝”也就不足为奇了。我的研究结合了实证和建模方法，以提高对环境变化对人口后果的预测。这份提案描述了两个支持我长期研究目标的具体实地研究计划。首先，我建议研究近岸岩鱼栖息地复杂性、种群密度、增长和生存之间的局部规模关系。这些“密度依赖”的过程对岩鱼种群的可持续性以及我们确定基本鱼类栖息地的能力至关重要。我的第二个目标是考察区域规模的连通性，即岩鱼种群之间的个体交流。连通性取决于生境斑块的空间分布、近岸岩鱼幼体的扩散能力以及当地的海洋学特征，如水流和食物可获得性。除其他因素外，这些因素共同决定了近岸岩鱼种群对气候变化的长期反应。这项提案中的跨学科研究为培养高素质的环境生物学家和未来的资源管理者提供了一个理想的机会。我的重点是实证性实地研究和定量分析，培养研究生和本科生的学术准备、技术技能、领导力以及后勤规划和执行。

Climate change, habitat alteration, and over-exploitation are the main processes that threaten marine populations world-wide, including those in Canada. Inshore rockfish populations (e.g., Sebastes caurinus, S. maliger) in deep fjord marine ecosystems around the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia (B.C.) may be particularly at-risk because these threats have already been documented and will likely increase in the future. Furthermore, rockfish have life-history and ecological characteristics that are common among extinct, or threatened, marine species. For example, rockfish are long-lived (45-76 yr), have relatively low birthrates, high age-at-maturity (12-18 yr), and low mobility following settlement to deep rocky reefs. It is therefore not surprising that some rockfish populations in the U.S.A. are considered "at risk of extinction". My research combines empirical and modeling approaches to improve predictions of the population consequences of environmental change. This proposal describes two specific field research programs that support my long-term research goals. First, I propose to examine local-scale relationships among habitat complexity, population density, growth, and survival of inshore rockfish. These "density-dependent" processes are central to rockfish population sustainability as well as our ability to determine essential fish habitat. My second objective examines regional-scale connectivity, or the exchange of individuals among rockfish populations. Connectivity is determined by the spatial distribution of habitat patches, the dispersal ability of inshore rockfish larvae, and the local oceanographic features such as currents and food availability. These factors, among others, combine to determine the long-term response of inshore rockfish populations to climate change. The inter-disciplinary research in this proposal offers an ideal opportunity for training highly qualified environmental biologists and future resource managers. My emphasis on empirical field research and quantitative analysis fosters graduate and undergraduate academic preparation, technical skill, leadership, and logistical planning and execution.