Dr. Poesch is a member of Tracking Change, a program aimed at connecting local and traditional knowledge in watersheds. The Lab welcomes the youth from Alberta and Northwest Territories for the Youth Knowledge Fair! See Outreach Gallery for some photos.
Category Archives: Mark Poesch
My research focuses on issues related to aquatic biodiversity, including: conservation of freshwater fishes (e.g. species at risk, invasive species), sustainable resource development and developing robust restoration and reclamation activities. My goals are to: build effective collaborations across Alberta and North America; to train the next generation of research leaders; to provide an atmosphere of respect and learning; to engage the public and stakeholders; and, to develop leading edge novel research to solve applied problems.
van der Lee, A.S., Poesch, M.S., Drake, D.A.R, and Koops M.A. 2018. Recovery Potential Modelling of Redside Dace (Clintostomus elongatus). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2018/nnn. vi + 39 p.
Citation: van der Lee, A.S., Poesch, M.S., Drake, D.A.R, and Koops M.A. 2018. Recovery Potential Modelling of Redside Dace (Clintostomus elongatus). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2018/nnn. vi + 39 p.
Abstract
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has assessed Redside Dace (Clintostomus elongatus) as Endangered in Canada. Here we present population modelling to determine population-based recovery targets, assess allowable harm, and conduct long-term projections of population recovery in support of a recovery potential assessment (RPA). Our analyses demonstrate that the dynamics of Redside Dace populations are particularly sensitive to perturbations that affect survival of immature individuals (from hatch to age-2) and population-level fecundity. Harm to these portions of the life cycle should be minimized to avoid jeopardizing the survival and future recovery of Canadian populations. Meta-population structure was incorporated into analyses. The manner in which catastrophes impacted segments of the meta-population influenced recovery target estimates, indicating that understanding the extent of meta-population structure throughout the species range is needed to refine recovery targets. To achieve demographic sustainability, (i.e. a self-sustaining population over the long term) under conditions with a catastrophe probability of 0.15/generation and a quasi-extinction threshold of 50 adults at a 1% probability of extinction over 100 years, population sizes ranging from 18 000 to 75 000 were required. This required between 3.2 and 13.2 ha of suitable Redside Dace habitat. We simulated three recovery effort strategies focused on improving vital rates (survival and fecundity). A declining population (λ = 0.89) required considerable improvement to individual vital rates (> 40%) to cease population decline. If, however, survival of all age-classes could be augmented simultaneously an improvement of only 13% was required. Depending on the strategy employed, recovery occurred after 48 to 120 years. Recovery efforts affecting survival of all age-classes provided the greatest improvement to population growth rate and therefore resulted in quickest recovery (48 years).
Drake, D.A.R., and M.S. Poesch. 2018. Seasonal Movement of Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) in relation to abiotic and biotic factors. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2018/nnn. vi + xxx p.
Citation: Drake, D.A.R., and M.S. Poesch. 2018. Seasonal Movement of Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) in relation to abiotic and biotic factors. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2018/nnn. vi + xxx p.
Abstract
Most animal populations are composed of stationary and mobile individuals, which can influence metapopulation structure and the spatial distribution of mortality. We investigated the incidence of stationarity and mobility in two relatively stable populations of Redside Dace (Berczy Creek and Leslie Tributary) in the Rouge River drainage in Canada. Multiple linear regression was used to determine if stationarity and mobility were related to stream flow attributes (mean and 90th percentile of daily discharge; stream flow flashiness). For the mobile fraction of the population, we developed spatial interaction models to determine the abiotic (aquatic habitat variables) and biotic variables (species-level CUE of the fish assemblage) associated with movement. Results indicated a high level of movement synchrony among populations, with generally similar stationarity and movement bias depending on season. Stationarity ranged from a high of 0.74 and 0.67 (spring 2007, Berczy and Leslie, respectively) to a low of 0 and 0.07 (October – early May and early – late May, Berczy ; October – early May, Leslie). Stationarity was only weakly negatively related to stream flow attributes (mean and 90th percentile of daily discharge), while movement bias was weakly positively and negatively related to stream flow. At the reach level, spatial interaction models indicated that distance and biotic factors (CUE of Creek Chub, Common Shiner, and White Sucker) were important predictors of the probability of moving to a reach, as were aquatic habitat variables (standard deviation of reach volume (positive), mean and standard deviation of depth (positive), and mean stream width (negative)). Results indicate that factors operating at different spatial and temporal scales (stream flow, species CUE, reach-level habitat) influence stationarity and mobility of Redside Dace, yet a substantial amount of movement variation remains unexplained by environmental factors. Future work is needed to resolve the implications of stationarity and mobility on individual and population-level mortality so that projections of extinction risk can be refined.
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab joins the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Research Network
The PoeschLab is excited to join the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Network (link). Thanks to Fisheries and Oceans Canada for their funding support for fish species at risk.
Ruppert, J.L.W.*, Hogg, J., and M.S. Poesch. (2018) Community assembly and the sustainability of habitat offsetting targets in the first compensation lake in the oil sands region in Alberta, Canada. Biological Conservation 219: 138-146.
Abstract:
Resource development can have a negative impact on species productivity and diversity through the loss and fragmentation of habitat. In many countries, developers are required by law to offset such impacts by replacing lost habitat or providing other forms of compensation. In the case of broad scale development, offsets often cannot be constructed to replace lost habitat “like-for-like” (i.e., they are not ecologically equivalent). In freshwater ecosystems, one approach to habitat offsetting is to create new lake ecosystems, called compensation lakes, to replace lost riverine habitat. In this study, we use a long-term data set (2008–2015) of fish and benthic invertebrate communities from Canada’s first compensation lake in the oil sands region of Alberta, to address (1) whether the assembly of the fish community has a trajectory that is influenced by management activities and (2) determine whether the community composition in the habitat offset is common in natural lake ecosystems within the region. We find a significant decline in the mean trophic level of the lake, where 61.9% of the variation in trophic level is explained by time indicating a strong structuring influence on fish communities. This outcome has enabled the compensation lake to meet overall and single species productivity targets, but we find that the species assemblage and composition is not common within the region. A combination of the founding species community and reduced connectivity of the lake has contributed to the current fish community structure, which may be problematic for the sustainability of the habitat offsetting targets. Our study highlights the need to establish multiple conservation guidelines, using both productivity and diversity based metrics, to provide the best ecological equivalency, which can produce better function, resilience and health within focal species communities in habitat offsets that are not “like-for-like.”
Citation: Ruppert, J.L.W., Hogg, J., and M.S. Poesch. (2018) Community assembly and the sustainability of habitat offsetting targets in the first compensation lake in the oil sands region in Alberta, Canada. Biological Conservation 219: 138-146.
Graphical Abstract:
Figure – Changes in Freshwater Communities Through Time. Shown is teh annual (A) mean density and (B) species diversity of fish species in Horizon Lake during the monitoring period of 2008-2015. Also shown is the corresponding annual (C) mean density and (D) diversity of bentic invertebrates during that period (EK- Ekman Grab; KN – Kick Net).
Also Read:
*Lab members: Jonathan Ruppert, Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!
Dr. Poesch gives plenary talk and participates on expert panel on invasive species
It was a great honour to give a plenary talk on freshwater invasive species and participate in a panel discussion with Dr. Daniel Simberloff (University of Tennessee), Dr. Chris Thomas (University of York, UK), Jason Fisher and Margo Pybus at this year’s Alberta Wildlife Society meeting in Lethbridge. I really enjoyed the discussion on invasive species! I was also very impressed to see as many as five undergraduate students from my Fish and Wildlife class in attendance! Also happy to see my students Sebastian Theis (PhD candidate), Jesse Shirton (undergraduate) and Jamie Card (undergraduate) present posters on their research!
Neufeld, K.*, Watkinson, D., Tierney, K. and M.S. Poesch. (2018) Incorporating connectivity in measures of habitat suitability to assess impacts of hydrologic alteration to stream fish. Diversity and Distributions 24: 593-604.
Abstract
Hydrologic alterations are widespread in freshwater ecosystems worldwide and often detrimentally impact fish populations. Habitat suitability models are commonly used to assess these impacts, but these models frequently rely upon observed fish–habitat relationships rather than more mechanistic underpinnings. The aim of this study was to demonstrate how to incorporate swim performance into a measure of habitat connectivity at a fine scale, providing a method for assessing the availability of suitable habitat for stream fishes. We applied this technique to an endangered species, the Western Silvery Minnow Hybognathus argyritis, in the Milk River of southern Alberta, Canada. The Milk River is an augmented system, where a diversion in nearby St. Mary River augments flow by a factor >3 × (from 1–5 m3/s to 15–20 m3/s). We used laboratory measured swim performance of Western Silvery Minnow to develop a movement cost function that was used in conjunction with a habitat suitability model to assess habitat availability via a recently developed graph-theoretic metric, equivalent connected area (ECA). Stream augmentation altered not only habitat suitability but also habitat connectivity for this species. During augmentation, suitable habitat area declined by 81.3%. Changes in habitat connectivity were site dependent. Movement costs between habitat patches were lower during augmentation due to current-assisted dispersal and increased distance to patches during natural flows from dried streambeds. When movement costs were incorporated into ECA, ECA decreased by 78.0% during augmentation.With changing climate and increasing anthropogenic impacts on aquatic ecosystems, understanding how freshwater fishes relate to their habitat is critical for appropriate management. In many cases, such as the Western Silvery Minnow, mitigating habitat suitability may not be sufficient, as species are unable to reach suitable habitat. The incorporation of swim performance into habitat connectivity assessments, as carried out here, can be easily adapted to other species and situations and can improve the understanding of impacts to stream fishes and increase the effectiveness of mitigation efforts.
Citation: Neufeld, K.*, Watkinson, D., Tierney, K. and M.S. Poesch. (2018) Incorporating connectivity in measures of habitat suitability to assess impacts of hydrologic alteration to stream fish. Diversity and Distributions 24: 593-604.
Movement Cost of Western Silvery Minnow under Augment (top) and Natural (bottom) Flow Conditions
Also Read:
*Lab members: Kenton Neufeld, Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!
Rudolfsen, T.*, Watkinson, D. and Poesch, M.S. (2018) Morphological divergence of the Threatened Rocky Mountain sculpin (Cottus sp.) is driven by biogeography and flow regime. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 28: 78-86.
Abstract
Stream hydrology is considered the primary factor in structuring freshwater fish communities,influencing stream habitats, food resources, and life‐history characteristics. Changes in stream hydrology, from climate change and anthropogenic sources (e.g. dams, irrigation channels), are thought to have adverse impacts on many freshwater species. The Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Cottus sp.) is a threatened species in Canada. Phenotypes of Rocky Mountain Sculpin were compared across a gradient of four streams differing in stream hydrology. It was hypothesized that Rocky Mountain Sculpin would show body forms minimizing drag in higher flow environments. Using geometric morphometrics and meristic counts, body shape, fin rays, and sensory pores were compared. As hypothesized, high‐flow river systems were correlated with sculpin with more dorso‐ventrally compressed, slender body shapes that minimized resistance to flow (P<0.001). Rocky Mountain Sculpin had more pectoral fin rays in populations with higher flows than lower flows,potentially allowing them to increase friction when gripping onto the substrate (P<0.001), and more anteriorly and dorsally located head pores to improve detection of floating prey (P<0.001). Biogeographic isolation and difference in flow regime were the likely basis for the observed morphological variation. The degree to which these phenotypes become fixed is unknown;however, since phenotypic diversity parallels genetic diversity in Rocky Mountain Sculpin,there is the possibility that persistent selection of these phenotypes can make it difficult to adapt to rapidly changing habitat conditions, such as changing flow. This study emphasizes the importance of considering phenotypic and morphological variation when evaluating how best to mitigate anthropogenic stressors and their impact on freshwater fishes.
Citation: Rudolfsen, T.*, Watkinson, D. and Poesch, M.S. (2018) Morphological divergence of the Threatened Rocky Mountain sculpin (Cottus sp.) is driven by biogeography and flow regime. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 28: 78-86.
Flow Regime across the range of Rocky Mountain Sculpin
Morphological Differences Across Populations (Dorsal view) of Rocky Mountain Sculpin
Also Read:
* Lab members: Tyana Rudolfsen, Mark Poesch. Check out opportunities in the lab!
The Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab helps host the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research (CCFFR)
For the first time in almost 25 years, the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research returns to Edmonton, AB. With Dr. Poesch as Local Organizing Chair, the PoeschLab was front and centre helping run the show. The PoeschLab also contributed 14 talks or posters to the event! Great job team!
