Understanding effects of climate change on stream habitats and fish communities, Development and implementation of basinscale and regional monitoring programs for bull trout and other aquatic organisms. Development and implementation of basinscale and regional stream temperature models and monitoring protocols . Effects of fire and disturbance on streams. Development of bioclimatic models to predict distributions of trout species to climate scenarios at regional and basinscales.
For more information, please see:
The Rangewide Bull Trout eDNA Project
Climate Shield Cold-Water Refuge Streams for Native Trout
Climate Change, Crowd-Sourcing, and Conserving Aquatic Biotas in the Rocky Mountains This Century
Adaptation for Wildland Aquatic Resources - Science Briefing
Bull Trout and Climate Change - Science Briefing
Bull Trout Monitoring - Science Briefing
Application of a Spatially Explicit Decision Framework for Fish Conservation - Science Briefing
Climate Change and Rocky Mountain Native Trout - Science Briefing
Climate Change and Wildfires: Effects on Stream Temperatures and Thermal Habitat - Science Briefing
A National Stream Internet - Science Briefing
NorWeST: A Regional Stream Temperature Database and Modeled Climate Scenarios – Science Briefing
Pilot Watershed Vulnerability Assessment Project - Science Briefing
Spatial Statistical Modeling Tools for Stream Networks - Science Briefing
Species Distribution Uncertainty - Science Briefing
Stream Isotherm Shifts From Climate Change - Briefing Paper
Stream Temperature Modeling and Monitoring - Science Briefing
Using Underwater Epoxy To Install Temperature Sensors - Science Briefing
My primary research interest is in understanding how climate change, disturbance, and biophysical interactions across spatial and temporal scales affect population dynamics of aquatic organisms and their habitats in mountain streams.
The National Stream Internet - The NSI is a network of people, data, and analytical techniques that interact synergistically to create information about streams. This website is a hub designed to connect users with software, data, and tools for creating that information. As better information is developed, it should enable stronger science, management, and conservation as pertains to stream ecosystems.
Cold Water Climate Shield - The Climate Shield website hosts geospatial data and related information that describes specific locations of cold-water refuge streams for native Cutthroat Trout and Bull Trout across the northwestern U.S. Forecasts about the locations of refugia could enable the protection of key watersheds, be used to rally support among multiple stakeholders, and provide a foundation for planning climate-smart conservation networks that improve the odds of preserving native trout populations through the 21st century.
Climate- Aquatics Blog: This website archives blogs periodically written by the scientist that describe research pertaining to climate change effects on aquatic resources.
Stream Temperature Modeling and Monitoring Website: This website acts as central repository for information pertaining to monitoring and modeling of stream temperatures that the scientist and his collaborators develop.
SSN & STARS: Tools for Spatial Statistical Modeling on Stream Networks: This website hosts freeware statistical software and GIS tools for implementing a new class of spatial statistical models applicable to data measured on stream networks.
NorWest Stream Temperature- Regional Database and Model: This website hosts a comprehensive interagency stream temperature database and high resolution climate scenarios for the Northwest U.S.
Please click here if interested in following on Twitter.
RMRS Scientist Profile Video (YouTube) - Dr. Dan Isaak talks about building the publically-accessible NorWeST stream temperature database and Its applications for identifying climate refugia for cold-water fish.
Assessing spatial and temporal variation in demographic and genetic characteristics of Chinook salmon populations in central Idaho. Landscape ecology and relationships between trout abundance and distributions relative to landscape characteristics. Radio telemetry and distributional assessments of northern pikeminnow in the Lower Snake River.
Please see also:
2011 Climate- Aquatics Workshop
Many natural resources are at risk from human development of natural landscapes and the effects of climate change. My research attempts to provide better understanding and predictive models of stream ecosystems so that managers can respond proactively and more effectively to these threats.