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Stable isotope ecology in aquatic ecosystems
Stable isotope ecology in aquatic ecosystems
I use stable isotopes to investigate of trophic interactions and food web ecology in aquatic ecosystems across the globe. Some current research collaborations include: zooplankton community dynamics in Brazilian Lakes, coastal food webs in Northern Chile, tropical steam food webs in Thailand, fish community ecology throughout Europe and the ecology of anadromous fishes (Atlantic salmon & sea lamprey) in Eastern Canada. Over the last few years I have been leading the charge to create an integrated global database for stable isotope ecologists and paleobiologists, IsoBank. If you are interested in applying stable isotopes to your research feel free to contact me, brian.hayden@unb.ca, to discuss ideas and potential collaborations.
I use stable isotopes to investigate of trophic interactions and food web ecology in aquatic ecosystems across the globe. Some current research collaborations include: zooplankton community dynamics in Brazilian Lakes, coastal food webs in Northern Chile, tropical steam food webs in Thailand, fish community ecology throughout Europe and the ecology of anadromous fishes (Atlantic salmon & sea lamprey) in Eastern Canada. Over the last few years I have been leading the charge to create an integrated global database for stable isotope ecologists and paleobiologists, IsoBank. If you are interested in applying stable isotopes to your research feel free to contact me, brian.hayden@unb.ca, to discuss ideas and potential collaborations.
Effects of climate change on fish communities in subarctic lakes
Effects of climate change on fish communities in subarctic lakes
Current predictions suggest that the effects of climate change will be most evident at extreme latitudes.In the northern hemisphere this is reflected by a long term warming in arctic and subartic regions. As ambient temperatures increase plant and animal species are expanding their ranges into previously inhospitable territories. Although such range expansions are well documented their effects on resident biota are less well understood. Working with Prof. Kimmo Kahilainen as part of the Academy of Finland funded CLICHÉ consortium I am examining how the expansion of percid species perch (Perca fluviatilis) and ruffe (Gynmocephalus cernuus) effects the ecology of resident whitefish (Coregonis lavaretus) and overall ecosystem function in subartic lakes. This research is based on a series of 20 lakes in north-western Finnish Lapland and runs from 2011 to 2014. See publications for our latest findings!
Current predictions suggest that the effects of climate change will be most evident at extreme latitudes.In the northern hemisphere this is reflected by a long term warming in arctic and subartic regions. As ambient temperatures increase plant and animal species are expanding their ranges into previously inhospitable territories. Although such range expansions are well documented their effects on resident biota are less well understood. Working with Prof. Kimmo Kahilainen as part of the Academy of Finland funded CLICHÉ consortium I am examining how the expansion of percid species perch (Perca fluviatilis) and ruffe (Gynmocephalus cernuus) effects the ecology of resident whitefish (Coregonis lavaretus) and overall ecosystem function in subartic lakes. This research is based on a series of 20 lakes in north-western Finnish Lapland and runs from 2011 to 2014. See publications for our latest findings!
Winter ecology of subarctic lakes
Winter ecology of subarctic lakes
Seasonal variation is an important regulating factor in aquatic ecosystems and is most pronounced in at extreme latitudes. In subarctic regions winters are long, cold (-30 to -40 0C) and dark, whereas summers are brief but comparatively warm (>15 0C) and 24 hour sunlight stimulates productivity. Lakes in this region are ice covered for 6 to 8 months per year and productivity is limited to the summer period. Due to the difficulties sampling in such inhospitable conditions, few investigations have explored the effects of this seasonal variation on resident fish communities. In an investigation funded by the Fisheries Society of the British Isles I am leading a collaboration with Prof Kimmo Kahilainen and Dr Chris Harrod to determine how resident cold water adapted and invasive warm water adapted fishes respond to seasonal variation in resource availability and water temperature. A review of this project was included in a recent FSBI Newsletter. See publications for further details.
Seasonal variation is an important regulating factor in aquatic ecosystems and is most pronounced in at extreme latitudes. In subarctic regions winters are long, cold (-30 to -40 0C) and dark, whereas summers are brief but comparatively warm (>15 0C) and 24 hour sunlight stimulates productivity. Lakes in this region are ice covered for 6 to 8 months per year and productivity is limited to the summer period. Due to the difficulties sampling in such inhospitable conditions, few investigations have explored the effects of this seasonal variation on resident fish communities. In an investigation funded by the Fisheries Society of the British Isles I am leading a collaboration with Prof Kimmo Kahilainen and Dr Chris Harrod to determine how resident cold water adapted and invasive warm water adapted fishes respond to seasonal variation in resource availability and water temperature. A review of this project was included in a recent FSBI Newsletter. See publications for further details.
Hybridisation between cyprinid fishes
Hybridisation between cyprinid fishes
I conducted my PhD research (graduation December 2009) on hybridisation between two cyprinid fish species with Dr MaryKelly-Quinn and Dr Stefano Mariani in University College Dublin. Following an invasion of roach (Rutilus rutilus) into freshwater systems in Ireland prolific hybridisation was evident with resident bream (Abramis brama). Using a novel combination of molecular genetics and geometric morphometrics I detailed the levels of hybridisation and introgression evident in the hybrid zone. While roach×bream hybrids constituted up to 50% of the fish population of Irish lakes the overwhelming majority of hybrids were F1 generation although high levels of introgression were evident in some bream populations. In addition, I used a combination of stable isotopes and guts content analysis to detail trophic overlap between both parental species and hybrids formulating a novel hypothesis for the success of hybrid progeny in sympatry with ecologically adapted parental species. These findings are outlined in the publications section.
I conducted my PhD research (graduation December 2009) on hybridisation between two cyprinid fish species with Dr MaryKelly-Quinn and Dr Stefano Mariani in University College Dublin. Following an invasion of roach (Rutilus rutilus) into freshwater systems in Ireland prolific hybridisation was evident with resident bream (Abramis brama). Using a novel combination of molecular genetics and geometric morphometrics I detailed the levels of hybridisation and introgression evident in the hybrid zone. While roach×bream hybrids constituted up to 50% of the fish population of Irish lakes the overwhelming majority of hybrids were F1 generation although high levels of introgression were evident in some bream populations. In addition, I used a combination of stable isotopes and guts content analysis to detail trophic overlap between both parental species and hybrids formulating a novel hypothesis for the success of hybrid progeny in sympatry with ecologically adapted parental species. These findings are outlined in the publications section.
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