title: General effects of climate change on Arctic fishes and fish populations.
abstract: Projected shifts in climate forcing variables such as temperature and precipitation are of great relevance to arctic freshwater ecosystems and biota. These will result in many direct and indirect effects upon the ecosystems and fish present therein. Shifts projected for fish populations will range from positive to negative in overall effect, differ among species and also among populations within species depending upon their biology and tolerances, and will be integrated by the fish within their local aquascapes. This results in a wide range of future possibilities for arctic freshwater and diadromous fishes. Owing to a dearth of basic knowledge regarding fish biology and habitat interactions in the north, complicated by scaling issues and uncertainty in future climate projections, only qualitative scenarios can be developed in most cases. This limits preparedness to meet challenges of climate change in the Arctic with respect to fish and fisheries.
authors.affiliation: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba. reistj@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Reist
authors.forename: Frederick J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Wrona
authors.forename: Terry D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Prowse
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: J Brian
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dempson
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Beamish
authors.forename: Jacquelynne R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Theresa J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.forename: Chantelle D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Sawatzky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D003081:Cold Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D005399:Fishes; D005618:Fresh Water; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D011157:Population Dynamics