Temperature, Phenology, and Embryo Survival in Western Alaska Sockeye Salmon Populations: The Potential for Adaptation to a Warming World?

Viable sockeye salmon populations are critical to the economy, culture, and freshwater ecosystems of Bristol Bay in Western Alaska, and it is unclear how populations might respond to warming temperatures during the critical life history stages of spawning and embryo incubation. 

​​Project ID: WA2014_38

Lead Investigator: Jeffrey Falke, USGS; Peter Westley, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Collaborators: Krista Bartz & Dan Young, National Park Service; Jennifer Griffiths, Stockholm University; Thomas Quinn, University of Washington

Project Duration: 2014-201

The overarching goal of the project  is to understand how temperature might influence population-specific patterns of embryo incubation, timing of hatching and fry emergence, and sockeye salmon embryo survival. By combining analyses of data from two large lake systems in the Kvichak watershed, laboratory rearing experiments to elucidate functional relationships, and simulation modeling, this project quantifies biological responses to changing freshwater temperature in an important species of Western Alaska.​

Related Resources

Dr. Falke's lab​

Dr. Westley's lab ​