Project Details
Projekt
The influence of global climate change on growth and population dynamics of zooplanktivorous whitefish (Coregonus sp.)
Applicant
Professor Dr. Reiner Eckmann
Subject Area
Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management
Term
from 2004 to 2010
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5429777
Multivariate analysis has provided evidence that year-class strength of whitefish, Coregonus sp. is strongly influenced by spring weather conditions. It has therefore been suggested that global warming will result in increasing whitefish recruitment, until at some unknown level of global warming, negative feedback mechanisms will likely limit further increases in year- class strength. Intraspecific competition for food is probably one of the most important of these feedback mechanisms. In this project we will explore the behavioural and growth responses of zooplanktivorous whitefish to increased competition for food (i) by analysing density-dependant growth via back-calculation of growth for 40 year-classes of whitefish, and (ii) by evaluating responses of whitefish to the ongoing process of re-oligotrophication, a situation which is considered as a model scenario of what might occur when whitefish population size increases as a result of global climate change. Vertical distribution and migration patterns during the growing season will be studied by hydroacoustics, and diet composition and food selection will be analysed through regular sampling of fish. The results of this project may help to devise possible scenarios for the future development of whitefish stocks under conditions of global climate change, so that management options can be devised in time.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
