Climatic Effects on Endangered Species
According to the World Wildlife Fund's Web site (http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/impactsandadaptation.html), "climate is changing rapidly and its effects already are being felt. The impacts will grow and will profoundly affect us, our kids, grandkids and subsequent generations, and will affect wildlife and everything else we care about. Our challenge: to slow climate change, to reduce our vulnerability and to adapt.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported the results of its fourth assessment of climate change where it devoted a volume of its assessment to climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. According to the report there is 'observational evidence' that many natural systems on all continents and most oceans are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases."
The Center's researchers have always been concerned about protection of endangered species, especially fish and mussels, but now they're looking more at the effect that climate change can have on these special aquatic populations.
The following are endangered species-related research projects activated in the 2011-2012 fiscal year:
Endangered Species Research in the 28-Mile-Long Reach Below Green River Dam
J.B. Layzer
Funding by: U.S. Geological Survey
Establish Non-essential Population of Two Endangered Mussel Species in the Lower French Broad River, Tennessee
J.B. Layzer
Funding by: U.S. Geological Survey
Life History of the Cumberland Papershell (Anodontoides denigrata)
J.B. Layzer
Funding by: U.S. Geological Survey
Population Demographics of Three Endangered and Four Imperiled Mussel Species in the Duck River, Tennessee
J.B. Layzer
Funding by: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Predicting the Effects on Endangered Mussels from Incremental Decreases in Minimum Flows
J.B. Layzer
Funding by: U.S. Geological Survey
Propagation and Re-establishment of Endangered Tennessee Mussels
J.B. Layzer
Funding by: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Historic Climatic Effects on Endangered Species Products
Faculty Involved in Endangered Species Research
Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Faculty Working with the Center
Phil W. Bettoli, Professor and Assistant Unit Leader
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931/372-3086
Pennebaker Hall 205
Research Interests: assessing fish stocking programs, biotic integrity and conservation of imperiled fish species in regulated rivers, catch-and-release mortality, dynamics of exploited fish populations, status and conservation of commercially exploited paddlefish and sturgeon
James B. Layzer, Professor and Unit Leader
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931/372-3032
Pennebaker Hall 205
Research Interests: effects of stream regulation on aquatic biota, ecology and conservation of freshwater mussels, restoring and maintaining aquatic biodiversity, ecology of stream fishes
Tennessee Technological University Faculty Researchers
Steven Cook, Professor and Interim Chair
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(931) 372-3194
Pennebaker (PENN) 207A
Expertise in ecology of freshwater invertebrates; fish parasitology; feeding ecology and bioenergetics of freshwater fishes; biotic indices
Hayden Mattingly, Professor
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(931) 372-6410
Pennebaker (PENN) 303
Expertise in freshwater fish ecology; conservation biology; endangered species management
