Hydraulic Fracturing and Brook Trout Habitat in the Marcellus Shale Region: A Conceptual Model and Research Agenda

Expansion of natural gas drilling within the Marcellus Shale region is an emerging threat to the protection, restoration, and enhancement of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations in the Northeastern United States.  Improved drilling and extraction technology (horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing) have led to rapid and extensive natural gas development in portions of the region. This new development poses multiple threats to surface waters, which can be tied to key ecological attributes that limit brook trout populations. Here, we expand a current conceptual model to identify potential pathways of risk between surface water threats associated with increased natural gas development and life history attributes of brook trout. Our goal is to highlight research needs for fisheries scientists and work in conjunction with resource managers to provide information that will aid in the development of regulations that will prevent habitat loss and address Marcellus Shale gas development threats to the Northeast’s only native stream salmonid fishery.