Climate Change and Cool/Cold Water Fish Conservation in California

California is at the southern end of the range of most Pacific Coast anadromous fishes; most have populations endemic to the state. Endemic native resident fishes mostly also require water that stays cool in summer.  Climate change appears to be accelerating the decline of most native species, with over 80% of 129 native species facing extinction by 2100, if present trends continue, including most salmonids.  Seven species are already extinct and 30 are listed as threatened or endangered; 63 are of Special Concern, for which we have provided detailed status accounts. To counter this trend, we have developed tools assist systematic protection of native fishes, including a statewide database for tracking species distribution. This data has been linked with another database with characteristics of all large dams in the state, allowing the prioritization for re-operation based on benefits to native fishes.   Other ecosystem-based strategies to protect fishes include dam removal, protection of spring-fed streams, and management of strategic watersheds. Realistically, a state-wide strategy has to be in context of novel ecosystems and reconciliation ecology because almost every aquatic ecosystem in California is highly altered and contains alien species.