REMINDER: Call for Registration
Arctic Research Seminar Series
Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS)
Date/Time: Thursday, 10 November 2022, 9:00 a.m. AKST (1:00 p.m. EST)
Speaker: Sarah Laske, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Presentation Title: Arctic Freshwater Biodiversity: Environmental drivers of fish diversity and composition
To register for the event, go to:
https://www.arcus.org/research-seminar-series
The Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) invites registration for the next Arctic Research Seminar featuring Sarah Laske, a fish biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center. Sarah’s presentation, titled Arctic Freshwater Biodiversity: Environmental drivers of fish diversity and composition, will be held via Zoom on Thursday, 10 November 2022 at 9:00 a.m. AKST (1:00 p.m. EST).
Seminar Abstract:
Climate change, biological invasions, and anthropogenic disturbance pose significant threats to Arctic freshwater biodiversity. Information gaps and insufficient knowledge about current biodiversity limit our ability to determine patterns or trends over space and time. Recently, a group of international scientists collaborated to compile and analyze data from streams and lakes in the circumpolar Arctic – producing the first assessment of the state of Arctic freshwater biodiversity. Fish species presence/absence data were used to evaluate patterns of diversity at local, regional, and circumpolar scales. Within North America, fish diversity patterns were evaluated for congruence with environmental factors. Circumpolar patterns of fish species diversity varied with latitude, hydrologic isolation, and ecoregion characteristics. Only one species, Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus, occurred above 71 degrees N latitude, but local scale Arctic diversity peaked at 70 degrees N, which was evident across the circumpolar north and in North America. High latitude diversity appears to be supported by the presence of anadromy in coastal systems and areas unaffected by the last glaciation (180k BP). Reduced richness above 71 degrees N resulted primarily from physical isolation of freshwater habitats and allowing colonization only by migratory anadromous species. At lower latitudes, coarse ecoregion characteristics, like elevation, contributed to overall diversity patterns, with fewer species in mountainous regions compared to adjacent lowland areas. These large-scale assessments are the first steps in determining circumpolar freshwater diversity patterns; however, this study also highlights the significant gaps in data coverage and our current limited ability to detect change. Inclusion of archived and new data – on fishes and their environment – will allow for studies to test change in observed patterns of biodiversity.
Registration is required for this event. Instructions for accessing the webinar will be sent to registrants prior to the event.
To register for the event, go to:
https://www.arcus.org/research-seminar-series
For questions, contact:
Stacey Stoudt
Email: stacey [at] arcus.org