Assessing the Impacts of In Stream Barriers to the freshwater Migration of Atlantic Salmon
Researcher(s): Matthew Newton
Supervisor(s): Prof Colin Adams, Dr Patrick Boylan
Department: Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, MVLS
Institution: University of Glasgow
Brief Description:
My research investigates the impacts of riverine barriers on Atlantic salmon. Barriers such as weirs, culverts, and waterfalls prevent the free movement of fish species, this is of great concern to migratory species such as the Atlantic Salmon which require connectivity between various habitats which are used at different stages of their life cycle, barriers may reduce this connectivity causing population declines and potential extinction (which has been shown in other fish species).
Telemetry techniques such as acoustic and radio tracking are employed to monitor the fine scale movements of individuals on approach to and when crossing barriers. This information is combined with hydrological conditions, environmental factors and individual fitness parameters to gain an understanding of how fish behave at barriers. This behaviour will allow an insight into the effects such barriers have on migration, such as causing a delay, selecting for certain individuals, and potentially reducing gene flow.
This study will address key Water Framework Directives which require free passage of migrating fish within river systems and help identify what consists of a barrier, and how much of an impact a barrier has on migration.
Funding Source(s): INTERREG IV
Project Status: On going
Start Date: 25th January 2012
End Date: 2015