Climate Refugia for Salmon

Climate change poses substantial challenges to aquatic ecosystems, and coldwater fish in particular.  Climate refugia – areas that are buffered and change more slowly than surrounding areas – can be an effective adaptation strategy for helping fish and other organisms deal with climate change. We found that 1) climate refugia can help migrating salmon avoid stressful thermal conditions, 2) but that temperature is not the only feature of refugia that will need to be protected - water quality, physical habitat, and connectivity among seasonal habitats are also required, and 3) human land and water uses can complicate climate change effects, but also may provide opportunities to help aquatic ecosystems respond more favorably to climate change.

Impact/Purpose

Climate change poses substantial challenges to aquatic ecosystems, and coldwater fish in particular.  Climate refugia – areas that are buffered and change more slowly than surrounding areas – can be an effective adaptation strategy for helping fish and other organisms deal with climate change. This overview provides a brief summary of recent ORD research on these topics.

Citation

Ebersole, Joe. Climate Refugia for Salmon. EPA Board of Scientific Counselors, NA, October 12 - 14, 2021.