Climate Change Effects on North American Inland Fish Physiology, Populations, and Assemblages

Climate is a critical driver of North American inland fish physiology, populations, and assemblages. We need to better understand current and future climate change impacts to manage sustainably these ecologically, culturally, and economically valuable resources. This presentation will: (1) synthesize the mechanistic effects of climate change on neuroendocrine, cardiorespiratory, immune, osmoregulatory, and reproductive systems of freshwater and diadromous fishes; and (2) review documented changes in fish distribution, phenology, demographics, evolutionary processes, and assemblage structure. The current state of knowledge reveals major data gaps and identifies research needs to inform adaptive, ecosystem-based approaches to management of North American inland fish and fisheries in a changing climate.