In our Research Highlights blog series, we debut newly published fisheries research by our women of fisheries colleagues. If you have research you would like to highlight and share with our readers, submit a nomination form here!
This Month’s Research Highlight:
Desforges, J.E., J. Clarke, E.J. Harmsen, A.M. Jardine, J.A. Robichaud, S. Serré, P. Chakrabarty, J.R. Bennett, D.E.L. Hanna, J.P. Smol, T. Rytwinski, J.J. Taylor, A.L. Martel, A.K. Winegardner, J. Marty, M.K. Taylor, C.M. O’Connor, S.A. Robinson, A.J. Reid, I.F. Creed, I. Gregory-Eaves, N.W.R. Lapointe, and S.J. Cooke. 2022. The alarming state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 79:352–365.
There is strength in diversity, and our health and well-being depend on it. Yet, we are faced with declining biodiversity worldwide from climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, and other human impacts. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that freshwater biodiversity is declining at a faster rate than any other biome in part because it has not received the same amount of attention as its terrestrial and marine counterparts.
Let’s take Canada as an example. Canada contains 20% of the world’s freshwater resources and nearly 25% of the world’s remaining wetlands. Despite this, a comprehensive freshwater biodiversity assessment had not been done for Canada.
Until now.
Thanks to the work done by Jessica Desforges, now an aquatic science biologist, and others from Dr. Steven Cooke’s graduate class at Carleton University, we have our first look at the state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada. Bringing together a team of 23 students and researchers was no small feat, but the message was an important one to get right and communicated effectively.
Photo Credit: Jessica Desforges
In all, the authors report 38 fishes (out of 204) that are at risk in Canada and another seventeen species that had insufficient or no data available.
Looking at assessments in general, it becomes apparent that some groups garner more attention than others. Specifically, cyprinids, salmonids, percids, sturgeons, and paddlefishes have dominated species assessments due to their perceived value. This has led to a lot of information gaps for other fish species. When asked how we can try to overcome this, Jessica notes, “I think one of the best approaches to avoid skewing assessment processes based on cultural or socioeconomic value associated with a particular species may be to look at key biodiversity areas (KBA) or adopt an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management (EBFM).” In other words, instead of focusing on a particular species, focus on conserving and managing important ecosystems. This would help provide information for conserving less managed species as well as for managing high profile species.
Photo Credit: Jessica Desforges
With awareness about the status of Canada’s freshwater biodiversity comes a call to action. Although we focused here on fishes, the paper includes all freshwater taxa. Combined, 12% of species were determined to be at risk and the status of another 38% of species remains unknown. The Emergency Recovery Plan proposed by Tickner and his team in 2020 outlines six actions for freshwater biodiversity recovery that focus on water flow, water quality, habitat, exploitation, river connectivity, and native species. For species with unknown status, additional assessments and studies are needed to fill important information gaps. Jessica also hopes to take this opportunity to bring awareness about Canada’s freshwater biodiversity to a wider audience. “I would love to organize a film…specifically on freshwater ecosystems in Canada, including threats and the importance of implementing the Emergency Action Plan.”
Yes, there’s a lot of work to be done to “bend the curve” on freshwater biodiversity. It won’t be easy to stop and reverse the decline, but the first step in paving our path forward is assessing where we are today. We commend Jessica and her collaborators on taking that step and bringing awareness to this important issue, so that action can be taken in conserving Canada’s freshwater biodiversity.
We look forward to seeing where your film endeavors take you, Jessica!
The full manuscript can be found and downloaded here:
doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0073
Emergency Recovery Plan:
doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaa002
I started my career in fisheries biology during my undergraduate degree, where I worked with Fisheries and Oceans Canada as a co-op student. I initially worked on lower trophic levels, looking at the microbial loop, primary productivity, and zooplankton composition in the Great Lakes. I then worked with several species of freshwater fishes, but mostly with Lake Sturgeon, a threatened species here in Canada. I spent a semester studying marine biology at Bamfield Marine Sciences Center, which just solidified my passion for aquatic life. I pursued a MSc with Dr. Steven Cooke, where I looked at thermal tolerance in fishes and acquired a deeper understanding of how various stressors can impact fish. I am currently a biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, where I help monitor and establish marine protected areas.