A zoogeographic analysis of the thermal and feeding ecology of Artic charr: implications for climate change

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Arctic charr and their ecosystems are projected to experience many serious climate change impacts that will directly affect Artcic charr biology at many levels and alter Arctic charr habitats, with follow-on indirect consequences expected to compound the direct biological effects and ultimately cascade to create substantive impacts on important northern fisheries for Arctic charr. Preparedness to meet the challenges of climate change in the north are currently hampered by a critical lack of knowledge about the mechanisms by which climate effects (e.g., increased temperatures) are transmitted to Arctic charr and the ability of Arctic charr to 'adapt' to such effects. Research proposed here will address the identified knowledge gaps by focusing on [1] continued development of the analytical tools necessary for the accurate reconstruction of Arctic charr thermal histories from which [2] relationships between growth and environmental variation may be deduced. Studies will be conducted in a number of northern locations along a north-south gradient, including: Ellesmere and Baffin Islands, Nunavik (northern Quèbec) and Nunatsiavut (Labrador). Information produced by the proposed Arctic charr studies will specifically address knowledge gaps about the impacts of climate change on northern fish as identified in recent international climate impact reports such as the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment. Thus studies will help improve understanding of the functional biological relationships pertinent for driving the patterns of growth variation observed in Arctic charr from a variety of Arctic aquatic ecosystems. Data collected will also help establish critical baselines against which the significance of future changes in Arctic charr populations may be judged. In this way research results will provide information needed for improved scientific management of the charr, thereby assisting both government and northern management agencies charged with the stewardship of Arctic charr resources.