New Tools Track Freshwater Fish.

• Position: CLIMATE CHANGE

Three new research devices will help scientists and the public better understand the effects of climate change on freshwater fish: a stream classification tool, a database of research papers, and a salmon life cycle model all are accessible online.

As extreme events like droughts and flooding occur more frequently, fish in freshwater systems are vulnerable because they may not be able to relocate if environmental conditions become unfavorable.

To better assess changes in stream-flow on local and regional levels, Jeff Falke, associate professor of fisheries at the University of Alaska, and collaborators, including Ph.D. student Chris Sergeant, used 35 years of modeled runoff data to categorize more than 4,000 freshwater rivers and streams that flow into the Gulf of Alaska.

Streamflow is a critical factor for the survival of salmon and other fish. Water volume and the timing of high and low water levels affects water temperature, nutrient availability, fish and wildlife populations, and even insects and algae at the base of the food web.

The streamflow classification tool is available to the public on the Web as the Hydrologic Classification of Gulf of Alaska...