Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2025
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V75
Höfundar / Authors: Kenedy Williams (1), Johannes Guðbrandsson (2) Guðbjörg Ósk Jónsdóttir(1), Ruhila Goswami(1), and Arnar Pálsson(1).
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. University of Iceland 2. Marine and Freshwater Research Institute
Kynnir / Presenter: Kenedy Williams
Climate changes are projected to be particularly strong in small or isolated habitats, like islands, ponds or streams. Nordic freshwater fish may also be exposed as thermal changes may be larger at higher latitudes. Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) are a widespread and ecologically important fish in Icelandic freshwaters and important to farmers and rural communities via sport fishing. Anadromous Arctic charr catches have declined in many areas across Iceland, likely due to anthropogenic impacts. The critical habitats chosen by spawning charr and fry may be particularly sensitive to climatic changes, and likely require conservation efforts to maintain. Not much is known about the locations of charr spawning and nursery grounds in Icelandic rivers. This project will study the distribution of anadromous juvenile Arctic charr in rivers in Breidafjordur and is designed to identify which habitats are key to charr reproduction and development. Mapping spawning sites and juvenile habitats can lead to meaningful ecological insights and conservation of this economically important species by defining which habitats are critical.