Major changes in fish thermal habitat diversity in Canada's Arctic lakes due to climate change

Climate warming significantly impacts fish communities globally. This study uses geospatial analysis of Canadian Arctic lakes to predict climate change effects on lake thermal habitat diversity. Increased maximum surface temperature, ice-free periods, and thermal stratification are projected under all climate scenarios. Previously fishless lakes may become habitable, and thermally uniform lakes may become diverse. While coldwater habitat remains resilient, thermally diverse lakes will shift from predominantly coldwater to include coolwater and warmwater habitats. These changes vary across ecozones, demanding region-specific management strategies for adapting fish resource use.

Daniel P. Gillis, Charles K. Minns, Steven E. Campana, Brian J. Shuter