Diverse Fish Habitats Help Save Salmon Species To Survive Changing Climate Conditions

Changing climate conditions and extreme weather events can threaten the population of fish, particularly the threatened species of spring-run Chinook salmon, according to a recent report. It can offer them opportunities to survive and feed amidst climate change threats.

Unpredictable climate change can significantly impact marine animals due to hotter temperatures, prolonged droughts, and frequent flooding and rainfall. In a recent report, researchers from UC Davis raised concerns about the threats to the spring-run Chinook salmon in Central Valley due to climate change.

In addition, the report warns that the said species population can suffer from extinction without urgent protection, especially their significant habitats. Because the species is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, the salmon's survival will depend on the release of cold waters into reservoirs.

Diverse Fish Habitats Can Help Threatened Species of Spring-Run Chinook Salmon

Experts from NOAA emphasize the importance of restoring salmon habitats to protect them from population decline. The diverse habitats of fish can offer ways for spring-run Chinook salmon to survive changing climate conditions.

The research findings were published in the Ecosphere.

Researchers said that human activities and habitat loss contributed to the decline of many species, including salmon. As a result, the findings reveal that restoring the mosaic of aquatic habitats can help the species adapt to increasing environmental variability and a warming climate.

"Fish with one life history that favors certain habitats are not going to save the population in the long term. We need diverse habitats to support diverse life histories that help provide resilience," researcher Flora Cordoleani said, who is also from NOAA Fisheries and the University of California, Santa Cruz, as quoted in a report.

The report highlights that diverse habitats can benefit fish, offering more opportunities to survive. Cold water refugia, floodplains, and aquatic habitats can maintain the stability or abundance of salmon numbers, preventing the collapse or disappearance of said species.

With the recent findings, the researchers aim that it will help other studies and developers consider a mosaic of different habitats that can be beneficial to different fish populations, particularly in watersheds.

According to the study, the researchers also analyzed areas in Butte Creek, Mill, and Deer Creeks. The streams and said areas provide more opportunities for salmon to become more resilient amidst the problem of ocean warming and climate change.

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Overfishing and By-Catch Threats to Deepwater Sharks and Rays

In an NWN report, deepwater sharks and Rays can potentially suffer from threats of extinction. The findings highlight that one in seven species can experience dangers to population decline or the brink of extinction.

The report was published in the Ecological Indicators journal.

Overfishing poses a significant threat to deep-sea species, and the said shark species have become targets due to their liver oil. The researchers raised concerns and the need for monitoring efforts despite the deep sea has complex ecosystems.