Category Archives: Conservation of Freshwater Fishes

Freshwater fishes are among the most imperiled groups globally with rates of decline comparable to declines in tropical rainforest species. Research in the PoeschLab focuses on developing a better understanding of the mechanisms for the decline of freshwater organisms. This research has four main themes, including: 1) threats to freshwater species at risk, 2) stream augmentation and hydrologic alteration, 3) climate change impacts to freshwater fishes, and 4) the spread and impact of invasive species. To achieve our research goals we utilize a variety of expertise in the PoeschLab and the University of Alberta. This includes expertise in: movement ecology and telemetry, assessing foodwebs using stable isotope analysis, population genetics and environmental DNA (eDNA) and morphology and swim performance.

Pallard J. and M. S. Poesch. (In Press) Factors affecting Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) abundance and potential displacement by non-native Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in headwater streams. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.

Abstract

The invasion of non-native fish species poses a major threat to native salmonids in freshwater ecosystems. We investigated the potential displacement of threatened Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) by non-native Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in 44 headwater streams across Alberta, Canada. Using electrofishing surveys and a combination of single- and multi-species N-mixture models, we examined how fish abundance responds to instream habitat characteristics, landscape features, and species interactions, while accounting for imperfect detection. Results revealed that reduced Bull Trout abundance was correlated with the abundance of Brook Trout in cold streams (mean August temperature <11°C) that lack habitat complexity, particularly where large woody debris and heterogeneous channel features are limited. Conversely, Brown Trout were associated with reduced Bull Trout abundance in larger, lower-elevation systems, likely due to competitive dominance in deeper and slower habitats. These findings highlight that temperature alone likely does not dictate displacement risk; and that habitat structure and species-specific traits also play critical roles. Management strategies should prioritize the protection of cold, structurally complex streams and consider targeted removals or exclusion strategies to limit further invasion. Habitat restoration and assisted colonization to suitable, non-invaded refugia may further enhance Bull Trout conservation under ongoing climate and land-use change.

Citation: Pallard J. and M. S. Poesch. (In Press) Factors affecting Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) abundance and potential displacement by non-native Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in headwater streams. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.70227.

Also Read:

Medinski, N.A.*, Maitland, B.M.*, Jardine, T.D., Drake, D.A.R. and M.S. Poesch (2022) A catastrophic coal mine spill in the Athabasca River watershed induces isotopic niche shifts in stream biota including an endangered rainbow trout ecotype. Canadian Journal for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 79(8): 1321-1334.

*Lab members: Jacquie Pallard and Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!

Edgar M., Kimmel, N. and M. S. Poesch. (2025) Community trophic structure within reservoirs change in the presence of invasive Chinese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis) and Northern Crayfish (Faxonius virilis). Aquatic Science 87: 99.

Abstract

The expansion of invasive species significantly threatens ecosystem biodiversity and stability, often leading to alterations in food web dynamics and trophic interactions. This study examines the impacts of two invasive species, the Chinese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis) and Northern Crayfish (Faxonius virilis), in Alberta’s reservoir ecosystems. These species, originally from Asia and Canada’s eastern regions respectively, have established populations in Alberta, raising concerns about their effects on local aquatic food webs. Using stable isotope analysis across five reservoirs with varying invasive species presence, we assessed shifts in trophic structure, resource use, and isotopic niche overlap among native and invasive species. Findings reveal that reservoirs with invasive species showed significant changes in food web length, trophic diversity, and isotopic niche overlap, especially in systems where both species coexisted. Notably, both invasive species reduced macrophyte availability, or availability of isotopically similar resources, leading to shifts in fish diets toward higher trophic levels and affecting their trophic positions. Additionally, niche overlap between the two invasives suggests potential competition for resources, with Northern Crayfish possibly predating on Chinese Mystery Snail in resource-scarce environments. These results indicate that invasive species presence can significantly impact trophic structures, leading to competitive exclusion, changes in fish feeding strategies, and broader ecosystem productivity alterations. Future management should prioritize containment and monitor these invasives’ long-term impacts, particularly given their potential to disrupt biodiversity and ecosystem function.

Citation: Edgar M.*, Kimmel, N. and M. S. Poesch. (2025) Community trophic structure within reservoirs change in the presence of invasive Chinese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis) and Northern Crayfish (Faxonius virilis). Aquatic Sciences 87: 99. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-025-01220-z.

Also Read:

Edgar M.*, Hanington P., Lu R., Proctor H., Zurawell R., Kimmel N. and M.S. Poesch (2022) The First Documented Occurrence and Life History Characteristics of the Chinese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis, Mollusca: Viviparidae) in Alberta, Canada. BioInvasions Records 11(2): 449-460.

*Lab members: Megan Edgar and Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!

Congratulations to Jessica Serbu, Vince St. Louis and team for being named ‘Most Viewed’ on our article on climate change (see info)!

Jessica’s paper develops a comprehensive overview of glaciers by the Rocky Mountains.

Citation: Serbu, J. A., St. Louis, V. L., Emmerton, C. A., Tank S., Criscitello, A., Silins, U., Bhatia, M., Cavaco, M., Christenson, C., Cooke, C., Drapeau, H., Enns, S. J., Flett, J., Holland, K., Lavelle-Whiffen, J., Ma, M., Muir, C., Poesch, M. S., and J. Shin. (2023). A comprehensive biogeochemical assessment of climate-threatened glacial river headwaters on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. JGR Biogeosciences 129: e2023JG007745. 

Hambrook J., Kimmel N., Robinson R., Foster D., Poesch M.S. and P. Hanington. (2025) Development, validation and implementation of eDNA-focused qPCR assays to detect and distinguish between Goldfish (Carassius auratus) and Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio). Environmental DNA 7(2): e70092.

Abstract: 

The ability to accurately detect harmful aquatic invasive species in a species-specific manner is crucial to monitoring and management efforts. The Canadian province of Alberta currently harbors North America’s only invasive Prussian Carp populations, in addition to invasive Goldfish populations. The ability to quickly and accurately distinguish between these phenotypically similar fish, while also determining their presence in various waterbodies, is important in tracking invasions. In this work, we develop a cytochrome B–based assay, as well as an ND2-based assay to distinguish between these two fish. The 84-bp-long CytB assay featured a limit of detection of 5.8 and 4.8 copies/sample for Prussian Carp and Goldfish, respectively, while the 95-bp-long ND2 assay featured LODs of 6.3 and 1.6 copies/sample, respectively. We demonstrate that each of these assays fails to amplify these markers in closely related fish species common to Alberta. They also fail to amplify key invasive carp species, apart from the Goldfish ND2 assay, which cross-reacts with Common Carp. We then implement these assays and find 13 Goldfish and 47 Prussian Carp environmental DNA detection events throughout the Canadian province of Alberta. Finally, we show that assays broadly agree with visual observation data gathered from various reporting mechanisms, highlighting their validity in a monitoring program.

Citation: Hambrook J., Kimmel N., Robinson R., Foster D., Poesch M.S. and P. Hanington. (2025) Development, validation and implementation of eDNA-focused qPCR assays to detect and distinguish between Goldfish (Carassius auratus) and Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio). Environmental DNA 7(2): e70092. 

Also Read:

Veilleux, H., McPherson, M.*, Cott, P., Poesch, M., S., Glover, C., and G. Goss. (2025) Environmental DNA as a tool to detect Arctic grayling and their habitat preferences in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Arctic Science 11: 1-12.

*Lab members: Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!

Tayebi A. T., Schmid J., Simmons S., Poesch M. S., Ramazi P. and M. Lewis. (2025) Website views as a proxy for angler pressure and effort: Insight from Bayesian networks. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

Abstract:

Reliable angler activity data inform fisheries management. Traditionally, such data are gathered through surveys, but an innovative cost-effective approach involves utilizing online platforms and smartphone applications. These citizen-sourced data were reported to correlate with conventional survey information. However, the nature of this correlation—whether direct or mediated by intermediate variables—remains unclear. We applied Bayesian networks to data from conventional surveys, the Angler’s Atlas website, the MyCatch smartphone application, and environmental data across Alberta and Ontario, Canada, to detect probabilistic dependencies. Using Bayesian model averaging, we quantified the strength of connections between variables. Waterbody webpage views were directly related to daily- and weekly-aggregated boat counts in Ontario (51% and 100% probability) and to weekly-aggregated creel survey-reported fishing duration in Alberta (100%). This highlights the value of citizen-sourced data in providing unique insights beyond meteorological factors, with online interest serving as a potentially reliable proxy for angler pressure and effort.

Citation: Tayebi A. T., Schmid J., Simmons S., Poesch M. S., Ramazi P. and M. Lewis. (2025) Website views as a proxy for angler pressure and effort: Insight from Bayesian networks. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

Also Read:

Theis, S.*, Shirton, J.*, Barbeau, M.*, Ruppert, J. W. L.* and M.S. Poesch (2025) Growth and diet of Northern Pike (Esox lucius) in Boreal lakes: Implications for Ecosystem Management. Hydrobiologia 4(1): 1.

*Lab members: Julia Schmid and Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!

Schmid J., Simmons S., Poesch M. S., Ramazi P. and M. Lewis. (2025) Analyzing fisher effort – Gender differences and the impact of Covid-19. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

Abstract: 

Fishing is a valuable recreational activity in our society. To assess future fishing activity, identifying variables related to differences in fishing activity, such as gender or Covid-19, is helpful. We conducted a Canada-wide email survey of users of an online fishing platform and analyzed responses with a focus on gender, the impact of Covid-19, and variables directly related to fisher effort. Genders (90.1% male and 9.9% female respondents) significantly differed in demographics, socioeconomic status, and fishing skills but were similar in fishing preferences, fisher effort in terms of trip frequency, and travel distance. For almost half of the fishers, Covid-19 caused a change in trip frequency, determined by the activity level and gender of the fisher. A Bayesian network revealed that travel distance was the main determinant of trip frequency and negatively impacted the fishing activity of 61% of the fishers. Fisher effort was also directly related to fishing expertise. The study shows how online surveys and Bayesian networks can help understand the relationship between fishers’ characteristics and activity and predict future fishing trends.

Citation: Schmid J., Simmons S., Poesch M. S., Ramazi P. and M. Lewis. (2025) Analyzing fisher effort – Gender differences and the impact of Covid-19. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

Also Read:

Theis, S.*, Shirton, J.*, Barbeau, M.*, Ruppert, J. W. L.* and M.S. Poesch (2025) Growth and diet of Northern Pike (Esox lucius) in Boreal lakes: Implications for Ecosystem Management. Hydrobiologia 4(1): 1.

*Lab members: Julia Schmid and Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!

Theis, S.*, Shirton, J.*, Barbeau, M.*, Ruppert, J. W. L.* and M.S. Poesch (2025) Growth and diet of Northern Pike (Esox lucius) in Boreal lakes: Implications for Ecosystem Management. Hydrobiologia 4(1): 1.

Abstract: 

An important top-down predator, the northern pike (Esox lucius), faces harsh environmental conditions in the northern boreal ecoregion. They are often managed for recreational fishing and, more recently, to create environmental offsets; strategies aimed at balancing ecological impacts by enhancing or restoring habitats. Our study examines northern pike populations in two remote boreal lakes in northern Alberta: Steepbank and Wappau. The lakes differ in size, vegetation cover, and trophic status, providing a natural experiment for investigating northern pike growth, condition, diet, and population density. Over three years (2018–2020), northern pike were sampled using gill nets. Population metrics, including growth, condition, and stomach contents, were compared between the lakes. Steepbank, a smaller, oligotrophic lake with low vegetation cover, showed lower prey fish densities compared to the larger, eutrophic Wappau, but it did not differ in northern pike catch per unit effort. Growth rates and body condition varied significantly between the lakes, with the northern pike in Wappau exhibiting faster growth and a better condition in the older age groups, while the younger northern pike in Steepbank had higher relative weights. A diet analysis revealed significant differences in prey consumption: Steepbank northern pike displayed higher rates of conspecific predation and invertebrate consumption, particularly in the younger age classes. These findings highlight how lake characteristics and prey availability shape northern pike population dynamics, offering valuable insights for lake management approaches in northern Alberta.

Citation: Theis S., Shirton J., Barbeau M., Ruppert J. W. L. and M.S. Poesch (2025) Growth and diet of Northern Pike (Esox lucius) in Boreal lakes: Implications for Ecosystem Management. Hydrobiologia 4(1): 1.

Also Read:

Theis, S.*, Ruppert, J. L. W. and M. S. Poesch. (2023) Coarse woody habitat use by local fish species and structural integrity of enhancements over time in a shallow northern boreal lake assessed in a Bayesian modeling approach. Ecological Solutions and Evidence 4(2): e12200.

*Lab members: Sebastian Theis, Jonathan Ruppert (former member) and Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!

Veilleux, H., McPherson, M.*, Cott, P., Poesch, M., S., Glover, C., and G. Goss. (2025) Environmental DNA as a tool to detect Arctic grayling and their habitat preferences in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Arctic Science 11: 1-12.

Abstract: 

Environmental DNA (eDNA) assays represent a non-invasive approach for biomonitoring. To assess Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) populations in the Little Nahanni watershed of Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada, an eDNA assay that has been previously validated for use in fish of the Beringia lineage was used in conjunction with traditional survey methods (i.e., electrofishing). Forty-six 100-metre reaches of streams were assessed in August 2015. The assay successfully detected Arctic grayling of the Nahanni lineage, with an eDNA signal recorded at each of the 17 sites in which Arctic grayling were observed by traditional fish surveys, but also at 3 of the 29 sites where Arctic grayling were not observed. The presence of eDNA was related to habitat metrics via Random Forest and correlation analyses. Riffles and water temperature were identified as being predictive of Arctic grayling eDNA abundance; however, no significant relationship between eDNA abundance and biomass proxies (fish abundance and fork length metrics) could be established. The high congruence between traditional approaches and eDNA surveys suggests adoption of the latter method will enhance the temporal and spatial acuity of biomonitoring, thereby improving field assessment of Arctic grayling populations and contributing towards more effective conservation management of this species.

Citation: Veilleux, H., McPherson, M., Cott, P., Poesch, M., S., Glover, C., and G. Goss. (2025) Environmental DNA as a tool to detect Arctic grayling and their habitat preferences in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Arctic Science 11: 1-12.

Also Read:

McPherson, M.*, Lewis, J.B., Cott, P.B., Baker, L.F., Mochnacz, N.J. Swanson, H.K., and S. Poesch. (2023) Habitat use by fluvial Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) across life stages in northern mountain streams. Environmental Biology of Fishes 106: 1001-1020.

*Lab members: Morag McPherson and Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!