Managing Freshwater Fish in a Changing Climate: Resist, Accept, or Direct
Frank J. Rahel
Abstract
Abstract Climate change is altering the distribution, phenology (e.g., timing of spawning), and community dynamics of freshwater fishes. Managers have three options for responding to these changes: “Resist” change to maintain or restore historic abiotic and biological conditions; “Accept” change and manage within the new conditions; or “Direct” change to produce new conditions considered desirable by humans. I discuss how the inland fisheries management approaches of stocking, regulations, habitat improvement, and community manipulations can be applied within the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework. I also discuss ways to choose among these options and how ecological tipping points can be used to determine when Resist is no longer a feasible option and managers must shift to Accept or Direct options.