To Determine the Effects of Stream Flow Temperature, and Nutrient Inputs on the Extent of Hypoxia in Salish Sucker Critical Habitat

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) provided $60,000 over two years via the Partnership Fund to the University of British Columbia and the B.C. Ministry of the Environment to support this project focused on conservation and recovery of the endangered Salish Sucker species. Low oxygen levels (hypoxia) in critical Salish Sucker habitat are a major conservation concern.

In streams used by Salish Sucker as habitat, researchers will measure temperature, nutrient levels in correlation to other land uses, and monitor oxygen changes as stream flows decline during summer. The effects of flow on oxygen concentration will be modelled using these new observations and an existing database of measured oxygen concentrations in Salish Sucker streams. Results will provide key information on Salish Sucker habitat.

Project Number: CA2016.50
Year: 2018, 2019
Partner: University of British Columbia
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Jordan Rosenfeld
Eco-region: Pacific