In:
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Canadian Science Publishing, Vol. 74, No. 6 ( 2017-06), p. 871-884
Abstract:
We analyzed monitoring data (1970–2013) from small Boreal Shield lakes to understand how variations in air temperature and precipitation affect the phenology and amount of habitat for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Annual air temperatures increased by ∼2 °C (significant in fall and winter). In response, ice cover was reduced by ∼19 days. Despite earlier ice-offs, springs became longer, allowing lake trout longer access to littoral regions when water temperatures were cool. Although summer surface water temperatures increased, the summer did not lengthen. Instead, later spring-warming and fall-cooling of lakes caused summer to shift later in the year, potentially delaying fall spawning. Complete loss of optimal oxythermal habitat volume occurred in all lakes and became more prevalent over time, more so in the darkest lakes. Although air temperatures did not become more variable, several habitat measures did, including mean summer surface water temperatures, duration of ice cover, timing of ice-off, and minimum volumes of optimal oxythermal habitat. Our results suggest that future warming will impose greater thermal stress on lake trout, but may be tempered by longer springs.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0706-652X
,
1205-7533
DOI:
10.1139/cjfas-2016-0190
Language:
English
Publisher:
Canadian Science Publishing
Publication Date:
2017
detail.hit.zdb_id:
7966-2
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1473089-3
SSG:
21,3
SSG:
12
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