Johnson, Trevor, Department of Ecology, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, 17870, johnsontj@susqu.edu; Wilson, Matthew, Freshwater Research Initiative, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, 17870; Ressler, Daniel, Freshwater Research Initiative Susquehanna University 514 University Avenue Selinsgrove Pennsylvania, 17870; Ashcraft, Sara, Freshwater Research Initiative, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, 17870.
Climate change has been a hot topic of discussion over the past decade, and it’s taken a toll on our planet in terms of its ecology and environment. Now more than ever, it’s critical to understand the relationship between water temperatures rising and the response of aquatic freshwater species. Within Pennsylvania, native Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations have been on the decline due to increasing temperatures in cold water streams. Temperature and Brook Trout populations were sampled by Susquehanna University’s Freshwater Research Institute from 2011 to 202 0 in the Loyalsock Creek watershed. This data will be analyzed to determine temperature effects on Brook Trout populations within this watershed. We plan to expand this effort to the State of Pennsylvania. Brook Trout are great indicators of a heathy ecosystem in terms of cold water and pristine habitats. However, climate change has already taken its toll in terms of decreasing Brook Trout populations in Pennsylvania. At this rate, we need to manage not just the fish populations but their habitats as well. The overall health of freshwater ecosystems are declining and the alteration of these ecosystems is having an effect on the species within them. Actions are needed for these populations within Pennsylvania because the possibility that they might not be around for much longer is rapidly increasing.
Brook Trout, Climate Change, Freshwater, Temperature