Canada’s Oceans Now: Pacific Ecosystems, 2021 - Climate change impacts on the Pacific salmon life cycle

An infographic shows climate change impacts on the Pacific salmon lifecycle. There is a large graphic of a simplified salmon lifecycle with a legend at left showing ecosystem pressures. Each section of the salmon lifecycle has icons of ecosystem pressures that are affecting that part of their life cycle.

Spawning, Eggs – warmer water, more extreme weather events, erosion

Emergence, Alevin – warmer water, more extreme water events, erosion, changes in water flow, less ice cover, shrinking glaciers

Juvenile rearing, Fry - warmer water, more extreme water events, erosion, changes in food web

Juvenile downstream migration, Smolts – warmer water, changes in water flow, less ice cover, shrinking glaciers

Ocean residents, Adults and juveniles – warmer water, changes in food web, changes in water flow

Spawner upstream migration, Spawners – warmer water, more extreme weather events

Climate change impacts on the Pacific salmon life cycle

Ecosystem pressures

• Warmer water
• More extreme weather events
• Erosion
• Changes in food web
• Changes in water flow
• Less ice cover, shrinking glaciers

Spawning

• Eggs

Emergence

• Alevin

Juvenile rearing

• Fry

Juvenile downstream migration

• Smolts

Ocean residents

• Adults and juveniles

Spawner upstream migration

• Spawners