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

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Research work proposed here will focus on two key Canadian fish species, Arctic charr and Atlantic salmon, iconic in their respective regions and both considered useful indicators of ecosystem change. Arctic charr and their ecosystems are projected to experience many serious climate change impacts that will directly affect charr biology at many levels and alter Arctic charr habitats, with follow-on indirect consequences expected to compound the direct biological effects and cascade to create substantive impacts on important northern charr fisheries. 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 charr to 'adapt'. Research 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). Although much studied, little is known about the marine ecology of Atlantic salmon. Throughout much of the geographic range for salmon, an element known to affect survival and recruitment is the influence of marine temperature on growth. Relationships among temperature, growth and ration suggest an extension of the marine temperature-growth linkage established for salmon would be improved understanding of marine feeding patterns. To that end, this research will also seek to characterize stock-specific and life-stage differences in marine feeding patterns and thermal habitat use in salmon using cutting-edge stable isotope methods. For both species the acquired information will improve understanding of functional biological relationships, thereby permitting improved understanding of the implications of ecosystem change and improved science-based stewardship of affected populations.