Thermal habitat availability has been identified as a limiting factor for Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and Arctic Grayling  (Thymallus arcticus) in the Williston Reservoir Watershed. In a century dominated by climate change, the implications of increased magnitude and variability in water temperatures are of great concern for species fragmented in isolated watersheds and migratory species which depend on disparate habitats. Conservation status assessments of endemic species in the Upper Peace River Basin require a contemporary approach to monitoring and modeling freshwater thermal habitat availability. To this end, we aim to investigate and document patterns in water temperature and their drivers across a range of temporal and spatial scales. By utilizing innovative field techniques, leveraging existing monitoring data, and integrating satellite remote sensing archives into a water temperature modelling framework this project will improve the understanding of thermal habitat availability within the Upper Peace River Basin. One year of data collection has been completed, and preliminary results for this project and other associated projects in the region will be presented.

The Natural Resources & Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi) at UNBC hosts a weekly lecture series at the Prince George campus. Anyone from the university or wider community with interest in the topic area is welcome to attend. Presentations are also made available to remote participants through Zoom Webinar. Go to http://www.unbc.ca/nres-institute/colloquium-webcasts to view the presentation remotely.

Pre-registration (free) is required to attend this presentation; https://unbc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nTNPdb_kT7OJDnCqedLc3Q

Past NRESi colloquium presentations and special lectures can be viewed on our video archive, available here.

FWCP logoThis event is funded by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, First Nations, Public Stakeholders and the Province of BC, to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by existing BC Hydro dams.