How physiography and climate change influences the effects of forest harvesting on Atlantic salmon habitats

The project will examine the influences of forest harvesting on stream flow, temperature (thermal regimes), and geomorphology in differing physiographic regions in watersheds in the Edmunston Highlands, Chaleur Uplands, Miramichi Highlands, and the Maritime Plains. Gaining an understanding of how the landscape regulates hydrological processes is absolutely imperative to (a) identifying hydrological resilient regions (both flow and thermal), and (b) developing management plans that best protect habitats for Atlantic Salmon. This research runs parallel with our work that is mapping the bathymetry and physical habitats of salmon rivers across NB, and from which we will apply climate change scenarios to predict thermal habitat sensitivity.

Contact: Antóin O’Sullivan, 506-238-4587, aosulliv@unb.ca or Allen Curry, 506-452-6208, racurry@unb.ca