Abstract
The aim of the project is to predict lake fish community responses to the combined impacts of rising temperatures and darker waters expected under climate change, taking species interactions, physiological responses, and life histories into account. Swedish lakes are not only becoming warmer, but also darker as a result of increased input of terrestrially derived organic material. These changes affect individual physiology directly, but may also affect organisms indirectly via interactions with other species. We will focus on three common fish species in Swedish lakes: perch, roach and vendace. They interact strongly and support both recreational and commercial fisheries. Moreover, these species are expected to respond differently to rising temperatures and darker waters. How this will affect their interactions and future community dynamics is unknown. We will use a combination of monitoring data, manipulative experiments and theoretical modelling to address how warmer and darker waters affect these interacting fish species. We will also study how fish community responses vary geographically and how management of inland fisheries should adapt to warmer and darker lakes. This project will add to understanding about how interacting climate stressors impact aquatic resources and their responses to fishing, by linking physiological responses to community-level impacts. This understanding will offer insights for adaptive fisheries management in lakes facing a changing climate.
Sweden