A warm water mass in the Pacific Ocean is impacting forage species and stirring up more conversations about the need for ecosystem-based fisheries management. SAFS Professor Tim Essington weighs in.
New fish genus and species named for its red, fingerlike fins
SAFS Professor Ted Pietsch and SAFS graduate student Rachel Arnold recently relocated an elusive tropical frogfish, last seen in Australia in 1980. After collecting specimens and testing the DNA, they discovered they’d found a new genus and species of fish, now named the red-fingered anglerfish.
Conservation challenges of predator recovery
A new article, titled “Conservation challenges of predator recovery”, has been accepted for publication into Conservation Letters: A journal for the Society for Conservation Biology. This article is a result of the collaboration of SAFS post-doc Kristin Marshall, SMEA Professor Ryan Kelly, NOAA scientist and SAFS affiliate faculty Eric Ward, and NOAA scientists Jameal Samhouri and Adrian Stier.
Abstract
Predators are critical components of ecosystems. Globally, conservation efforts have targeted depleted populations of top predators for legal protection, and in many cases, this protection has helped their recoveries. Where the recovery of individual species is the goal, these efforts can be seen as largely successful. From an ecosystem perspective, however, predator recovery can introduce significant new conservation and legal challenges. We highlight three types of conflicts created by a single-species focus: (1) recovering predator populations that increase competition with humans for the same prey, (2) new tradeoffs that emerge when protected predators consume protected prey, and (3) multiple predator populations that compete for the same limited prey. We use two food webs with parallel conservation challenges, the Northeast Pacific Ocean and the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, to demonstrate legal/policy conflicts and the policy levers that exist to ameliorate conflicts. In some cases, scientific uncertainty about the ecological interaction hinders progress towards resolving conflicts. In others, available policy options are insufficient. In all cases, management decisions must be made in the face of an unknown future. We suggest a framework that incorporates multispecies science, policy tools, and tradeoff analyses into management.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.12186/abstract
Oceanography and life history predict contrasting genetic population structure in two Antarctic fish species.
Oceanography and life history predict contrasting genetic population structure in two Antarctic fish species.
Evol Appl. 2015 Jun;8(5):486-509
Authors: Young EF, Belchier M, Hauser L, Horsburgh GJ, Meredith MP, Murphy EJ, Pascoal S, Rock J, Tysklind N, Carvalho GR
Abstract
Understanding the key drivers of population connectivity in the marine environment is essential for the effective management of natural resources. Although several different approaches to evaluating connectivity have been used, they are rarely integrated quantitatively. Here, we use a ‘seascape genetics’ approach, by combining oceanographic modelling and microsatellite analyses, to understand the dominant influences on the population genetic structure of two Antarctic fishes with contrasting life histories, Champsocephalus gunnari and Notothenia rossii. The close accord between the model projections and empirical genetic structure demonstrated that passive dispersal during the planktonic early life stages is the dominant influence on patterns and extent of genetic structuring in both species. The shorter planktonic phase of C. gunnari restricts direct transport of larvae between distant populations, leading to stronger regional differentiation. By contrast, geographic distance did not affect differentiation in N. rossii, whose longer larval period promotes long-distance dispersal. Interannual variability in oceanographic flows strongly influenced the projected genetic structure, suggesting that shifts in circulation patterns due to climate change are likely to impact future genetic connectivity and opportunities for local adaptation, resilience and recovery from perturbations. Further development of realistic climate models is required to fully assess such potential impacts.
PMID: 26029262 [PubMed]
via pubmed: school of aquatic an… http://ift.tt/1GVfZWR
Practical science communication strategies for graduate students.
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Practical science communication strategies for graduate students.
Conserv Biol. 2014 Oct;28(5):1225-35
Authors: Kuehne LM, Twardochleb LA, Fritschie KJ, Mims MC, Lawrence DJ, Gibson PP, Stewart-Koster B, Olden JD
Abstract
Development of skills in science communication is a well-acknowledged gap in graduate training, but the constraints that accompany research (limited time, resources, and knowledge of opportunities) make it challenging to acquire these proficiencies. Furthermore, advisors and institutions may find it difficult to support graduate students adequately in these efforts. The result is fewer career and societal benefits because students have not learned to communicate research effectively beyond their scientific peers. To help overcome these hurdles, we developed a practical approach to incorporating broad science communication into any graduate-school time line. The approach consists of a portfolio approach that organizes outreach activities along a time line of planned graduate studies. To help design the portfolio, we mapped available science communication tools according to 5 core skills essential to most scientific careers: writing, public speaking, leadership, project management, and teaching. This helps graduate students consider the diversity of communication tools based on their desired skills, time constraints, barriers to entry, target audiences, and personal and societal communication goals. By designing a portfolio with an advisor’s input, guidance, and approval, graduate students can gauge how much outreach is appropriate given their other commitments to teaching, research, and classes. The student benefits from the advisors’ experience and mentorship, promotes the group’s research, and establishes a track record of engagement. When graduate student participation in science communication is discussed, it is often recommended that institutions offer or require more training in communication, project management, and leadership. We suggest that graduate students can also adopt a do-it-yourself approach that includes determining students’ own outreach objectives and time constraints and communicating these with their advisor. By doing so we hope students will help create a new culture of science communication in graduate student education.
PMID: 24762116 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
via pubmed: school of aquatic an… http://ift.tt/QHv7Af
A global database of lake surface temperatures collected by in situ and satellite methods from 1985-2009.
A global database of lake surface temperatures collected by in situ and satellite methods from 1985-2009.
Sci Data. 2015;2:150008
Authors: Sharma S, Gray DK, Read JS, O’Reilly CM, Schneider P, Qudrat A, Gries C, Stefanoff S, Hampton SE, Hook S, Lenters JD, Livingstone DM, McIntyre PB, Adrian R, Allan MG, Anneville O, Arvola L, Austin J, Bailey J, Baron JS, Brookes J, Chen Y, Daly R, Dokulil M, Dong B, Ewing K, de Eyto E, Hamilton D, Havens K, Haydon S, Hetzenauer H, Heneberry J, Hetherington AL, Higgins SN, Hixson E, Izmest’eva LR, Jones BM, Kangur K, Kasprzak P, Köster O, Kraemer BM, Kumagai M, Kuusisto E, Leshkevich G, May L, MacIntyre S, Müller-Navarra D, Naumenko M, Noges P, Noges T, Niederhauser P, North RP, Paterson AM, Plisnier PD, Rigosi A, Rimmer A, Rogora M, Rudstam L, Rusak JA, Salmaso N, Samal NR, Schindler DE, Schladow G, Schmidt SR, Schultz T, Silow EA, Straile D, Teubner K, Verburg P, Voutilainen A, Watkinson A, Weyhenmeyer GA, Williamson CE, Woo KH
Abstract
Global environmental change has influenced lake surface temperatures, a key driver of ecosystem structure and function. Recent studies have suggested significant warming of water temperatures in individual lakes across many different regions around the world. However, the spatial and temporal coherence associated with the magnitude of these trends remains unclear. Thus, a global data set of water temperature is required to understand and synthesize global, long-term trends in surface water temperatures of inland bodies of water. We assembled a database of summer lake surface temperatures for 291 lakes collected in situ and/or by satellites for the period 1985-2009. In addition, corresponding climatic drivers (air temperatures, solar radiation, and cloud cover) and geomorphometric characteristics (latitude, longitude, elevation, lake surface area, maximum depth, mean depth, and volume) that influence lake surface temperatures were compiled for each lake. This unique dataset offers an invaluable baseline perspective on global-scale lake thermal conditions as environmental change continues.
PMID: 25977814 [PubMed]
via pubmed: school of aquatic an… http://ift.tt/1Jngx8B
A global database of lake surface temperatures collected by in situ and satellite methods from 1985-2009.
A global database of lake surface temperatures collected by in situ and satellite methods from 1985-2009.
Sci Data. 2015;2:150008
Authors: Sharma S, Gray DK, Read JS, O’Reilly CM, Schneider P, Qudrat A, Gries C, Stefanoff S, Hampton SE, Hook S, Lenters JD, Livingstone DM, McIntyre PB, Adrian R, Allan MG, Anneville O, Arvola L, Austin J, Bailey J, Baron JS, Brookes J, Chen Y, Daly R, Dokulil M, Dong B, Ewing K, de Eyto E, Hamilton D, Havens K, Haydon S, Hetzenauer H, Heneberry J, Hetherington AL, Higgins SN, Hixson E, Izmest’eva LR, Jones BM, Kangur K, Kasprzak P, Köster O, Kraemer BM, Kumagai M, Kuusisto E, Leshkevich G, May L, MacIntyre S, Müller-Navarra D, Naumenko M, Noges P, Noges T, Niederhauser P, North RP, Paterson AM, Plisnier PD, Rigosi A, Rimmer A, Rogora M, Rudstam L, Rusak JA, Salmaso N, Samal NR, Schindler DE, Schladow G, Schmidt SR, Schultz T, Silow EA, Straile D, Teubner K, Verburg P, Voutilainen A, Watkinson A, Weyhenmeyer GA, Williamson CE, Woo KH
Abstract
Global environmental change has influenced lake surface temperatures, a key driver of ecosystem structure and function. Recent studies have suggested significant warming of water temperatures in individual lakes across many different regions around the world. However, the spatial and temporal coherence associated with the magnitude of these trends remains unclear. Thus, a global data set of water temperature is required to understand and synthesize global, long-term trends in surface water temperatures of inland bodies of water. We assembled a database of summer lake surface temperatures for 291 lakes collected in situ and/or by satellites for the period 1985-2009. In addition, corresponding climatic drivers (air temperatures, solar radiation, and cloud cover) and geomorphometric characteristics (latitude, longitude, elevation, lake surface area, maximum depth, mean depth, and volume) that influence lake surface temperatures were compiled for each lake. This unique dataset offers an invaluable baseline perspective on global-scale lake thermal conditions as environmental change continues.
PMID: 25977814 [PubMed]
via pubmed: school of aquatic an… http://ift.tt/1Jngx8B
Evolutionary rescue in a changing world.
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Evolutionary rescue in a changing world.
Trends Ecol Evol. 2014 Sep;29(9):521-30
Authors: Carlson SM, Cunningham CJ, Westley PA
Abstract
Evolutionary rescue occurs when adaptive evolutionary change restores positive growth to declining populations and prevents extinction. Here we outline the diagnostic features of evolutionary rescue and distinguish this phenomenon from demographic and genetic rescue. We then synthesize the rapidly accumulating theoretical and experimental studies of evolutionary rescue, highlighting the demographic, genetic, and extrinsic factors that affect the probability of rescue. By doing so, we clarify the factors to target through management and conservation. Additionally, we identify several putative cases of evolutionary rescue in nature, but conclude that compelling evidence remains elusive. We conclude with a horizon scan of where the field might develop, highlighting areas of potential application, and suggest areas where experimental evaluation will help to evaluate theoretical predictions.
PMID: 25038023 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
via pubmed: school of aquatic an… http://ift.tt/1li6na6
Aquatic versus terrestrial attachment: Water makes a difference
By Adam Summers and Petra Ditsche, in Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology
Abstract
Animal attachment to a substrate is very different in terrestrial and aquatic environments. We discuss variations in both the forces acting to detach animals and forces of attachment. While in a terrestrial environment gravity is commonly understood as the most important detachment force, under submerged conditions gravity is nearly balanced out by buoyancy and therefore matters little. In contrast, flow forces such as drag and lift are of higher importance in an aquatic environment. Depending on the flow conditions, flow forces can reach much higher values than gravity and vary in magnitude and direction. For many of the attachment mechanisms (adhesion including glue, friction, suction and mechanical principles such as hook, lock, clamp and spacer) significant differences have to be considered under water. For example, the main principles of dry adhesion, van der Waals forces and chemical bonding, which make a gecko stick to the Aquatic versus terrestrial attachment: Water makes a differenceceiling, are weak under submerged conditions. Capillary forces are very important for wet adhesion, e.g., in terrestrial beetles or flies, but usually do not occur under water. Viscous forces are likely an important contributor to adhesion under water in some mobile animals such as torrent frogs and mayflies, but there are still many open questions to be answered. Glue is the dominant attachment mechanism of sessile aquatic animals and the aquatic realm presents many challenges to this mode of attachment. Viscous forces and the lack of surface tension under submerged conditions also affect frictional interactions in the aquatic environment. Moreover, the limitation of suction to the pressure difference at vacuum conditions can be ameliorated under water, due to the increasing pressure with water depth.
doi: 10.3762/bjnano.5.252
WA Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Annual Meeting
On April 29, join the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit for their WACFWRU Annual Meeting. The morning will be a showcase of student research supported by the Unit. The program starts at 8am with a continental breakfast. Click here for the agenda and a lineup of presentations.
Date and Time
April 20, 2015, 8 AM to 1:30 PM
Location
UW Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
1122 NE Boat Street
Fishery Sciences Building, Room 203
Seattle, WA 98105 (map)