Blog: Salmon and steelhead in the Anthropocene
Salmon and steelhead are cold water fish and have been on Earth for millions of years, surviving numerous ice ages. Our present climate, the new normal, consists of unprecedented climate heatwaves, droughts and atmospheric rivers of wind and rain. Climate extremes disrupt salmon and steelhead migrations and increase their mortality rate. Salmon and steelhead are spawned and mature in fresh water and then spend their adulthood in the ocean, before returning to spawn in their natal place. Atmospheric warming has led to ocean warming, which has caused poor nutrient and health conditions reducing the amount of returning salmon and steelhead. This year, the return of cold, nutrient rich upwelling has improved the fitness of returning fish.
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