Climate vulnerability for a desert fish: Integrating hydrologic exposures, adaptive capacity, and growth potential

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
By: , and 

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Abstract

Climate vulnerability can be evaluated by multiple organismal responses. We developed a climate vulnerability framework focused on growth potential of redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss newberri). We employed a bioenergetics model to evaluate spatial variability in growth potential in relation to constraints on body size imposed by stream flow, physiological responses linked to variable thermal regimes, and variation in physiological adaptive capacity inferred from field respirometry. Results indicate that maximum size (g) of redband trout increases with stream discharge. Growth potential is strongly linked to body size, with smaller individuals performing better relative to larger fish in cooler thermal regimes. Annual patterns of growth varied among sites and were related to body size and physiological adaptive capacity. Putatively cold-adapted fish were more likely to exhibit bimodal growth with peaks in spring and autumn, whereas warm-adapted fish exhibit a summer peak in growth potential. These findings offer insights into how climate vulnerability of stream-living fish can be conditioned on both stream flow and thermal regimes, and the potential for physiological adaptive capacity to influence vulnerability.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Climate vulnerability for a desert fish: Integrating hydrologic exposures, adaptive capacity, and growth potential
Series title Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
DOI 10.1139/cjfas-2022-0280
Volume 80
Issue 11
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher Canadian Science Publishing
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description 11 p.
First page 1748
Last page 1758
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