@article{myers_engman_ramirez_torres-molinari_lynch_eaton_cooney_kwak_2024, title={The effects of flow extremes on native and non-native stream fishes in Puerto Rico}, volume={7}, ISSN={["1365-2427"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.14306}, DOI={10.1111/fwb.14306}, abstractNote={Abstract Globally, freshwater fishes are among the taxa most vulnerable to climate change but are generally understudied in tropical island ecosystems where climate change is predicted to alter the intensity, frequency and duration of extreme flow events. These changes may impact stream ecosystems and native and non‐native biota in complex ways. We compiled an extensive dataset of fish assemblages collected at 119 sites across the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico from 2005 to 2015. We coupled these data with stream flow indices and dam height to understand associations between flow and fish assemblage structure. Sixteen percent of sites contained exclusively non‐native species, 34% contained exclusively native species, and 50% contained native and non‐native species. We built generalised linear models and conducted all subsets model selection to identify extreme flow variables explaining variation in native and non‐native species richness and biomass. We also built models to determine the combined effects of extreme flows and the presence of non‐native species on native species richness and biomass. Extreme flows and dam height were important in explaining variations in native and non‐native species richness and biomass. Model averages showed native biomass decreased by 0.42 kg/ha with a 1‐m increase in dam height, by 0.05 kg/ha with 1 cm/s increase in maximum mean daily high flow and by 3.45 kg/ha with each additional day increase in maximum high flow duration, and increased by 2.06 kg/ha with each additional day increase in mean high flow duration. Model averages predicted that non‐native biomass increased by 1.32 kg/ha with a 1‐m increase in dam height and by 0.01 kg/ha with each additional day increase in mean high flow duration, and decreased by 0.36 kg/ha with each additional day increase in maximum high flow duration. Model averages also predicted an increase in native and non‐native biomass of 0.71 gage and 0.06 kg/ha, respectively, with each additional day increase in maximum low flow duration. The combined effects of non‐native species presence and extreme flows changed the relationship between maximum high and low flow durations and native biomass. Model averages showed that native biomass increased by 1.83 kg/ha with each additional day increase in maximum high flow duration and decreased by 2.52 kg/ha with each additional day increase in maximum low flow duration when non‐native species were present. Native fishes may be able to better cope with longer maximum durations of low flows than expected when non‐native fishes are absent. In mixed fish assemblages, extended maximum durations of high flows may act as a control of non‐native species and dampen their negative effect on native species, but longer maximum durations of low flows may heighten the negative effects of non‐native fishes. Our results are informative for tropical island ecosystems globally and can guide the management and conservation of native fishes, particularly when faced with the dual threats of climate change and non‐native species. Managers may consider increasing efforts to conserve native fishes in Caribbean rivers by maintaining connectivity and habitat complexity while preventing non‐native species introductions.}, journal={FRESHWATER BIOLOGY}, author={Myers, Bonnie J. E. and Engman, Augustin C. and Ramirez, Alonso and Torres-Molinari, Ambar and Lynch, Abigail J. and Eaton, Mitchell J. and Cooney, Patrick B. and Kwak, Thomas J.}, year={2024}, month={Jul} }
 @article{lynch_myers_wong_chu_tingley_falke_kwak_paukert_krabbenhoft_2022, title={Reducing uncertainty in climate change responses of inland fishes: A decision-path approach}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2578-4854"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12724}, DOI={10.1111/csp2.12724}, abstractNote={AbstractClimate change will continue to be an important consideration for conservation practitioners. However, uncertainty in identifying appropriate management strategies, particularly for understudied species and regions, constrains the implementation of science‐based solutions and adaptation strategies. Here, we share a decision‐path approach to reduce uncertainty in climate change responses of inland fishes to inform conservation and adaptation planning. With the Fish and Climate Change database (FiCli), a comprehensive, online, public database of peer‐reviewed literature on documented and projected climate impacts to inland fishes, users can identify relevant studies and associated management recommendations via geographic regions, response types (i.e., fish assemblage dynamics, demographic, distributional, evolutionary, phenological), fish taxa, and traits (e.g., thermal guilds, feeding type, parental care, habitat type) and use a suite of summary tools to make more informed decisions. For both data‐rich and data‐poor scenarios, we demonstrate that this approach can reduce uncertainty in understanding climate change responses. Using thermal sensitivity as an example, we also establish the utility of FiCli database to address other user‐defined, management‐relevant questions via supplementary analyses. This decision‐path approach can be applied to rapid assessments, management decisions, and policy development and may serve as a model for other conservation decision‐making processes.}, journal={CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE}, author={Lynch, Abigail J. and Myers, Bonnie J. E. and Wong, Jesse P. and Chu, Cindy and Tingley, Ralph W. and Falke, Jeffrey A. and Kwak, Thomas J. and Paukert, Craig P. and Krabbenhoft, Trevor J.}, year={2022}, month={May} }
 @article{lynch_thompson_beever_cole_engman_hoffman_jackson_krabbenhoft_lawrence_limpinsel_et al._2021, title={Managing for RADical ecosystem change: applying the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework}, ISSN={["1540-9309"]}, DOI={10.1002/fee.2377}, abstractNote={Ecosystem transformation involves the emergence of persistent ecological or social–ecological systems that diverge, dramatically and irreversibly, from prior ecosystem structure and function. Such transformations are occurring at increasing rates across the planet in response to changes in climate, land use, and other factors. Consequently, a dynamic view of ecosystem processes that accommodates rapid, irreversible change will be critical for effectively conserving fish, wildlife, and other natural resources, and maintaining ecosystem services. However, managing ecosystems toward states with novel structure and function is an inherently unpredictable and difficult task. Managers navigating ecosystem transformation can benefit from considering broader objectives, beyond a traditional focus on resisting ecosystem change, by also considering whether accepting inevitable change or directing it along some desirable pathway is more feasible (that is, practical and appropriate) under some circumstances (the RAD framework). By explicitly acknowledging transformation and implementing an iterative RAD approach, natural resource managers can be deliberate and strategic in addressing profound ecosystem change.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT}, author={Lynch, Abigail J. and Thompson, Laura M. and Beever, Erik A. and Cole, David N. and Engman, Augustin C. and Hoffman, Cat Hawkins and Jackson, Stephen T. and Krabbenhoft, Trevor J. and Lawrence, David J. and Limpinsel, Douglas and et al.}, year={2021}, month={Jul} }
 @article{lynch_sievert_embke_robertson_myers_allen_feiner_hoogakker_knoche_krogman_et al._2021, title={The US Inland Creel and Angler Survey Catalog (CreelCat): Development, Applications, and Opportunities}, volume={46}, ISSN={["1548-8446"]}, DOI={10.1002/fsh.10671}, abstractNote={Inland recreational fishing, defined as primarily leisure‐driven fishing in freshwaters, is a popular pastime in the USA. State natural resource agencies endeavor to provide high‐quality and sustainable fishing opportunities for anglers. Managers often use creel and other angler survey data to inform state‐ and waterbody‐level management efforts. Despite the broad implementation of angler surveys and their importance to fisheries management at state scales, regional and national coordination among these activities is minimal, limiting data applicability for larger‐scale management practices and research. Here, we introduce the U.S. Inland Creel and Angler Survey Catalog (CreelCat), a first‐of‐its‐kind, publicly available national database of angler survey data that establishes a baseline of national inland recreational fishing metrics. We highlight research and management applications to help support sustainable inland recreational fishing practices, consider cautions, and make recommendations for implementation.}, number={11}, journal={FISHERIES}, author={Lynch, Abigail J. and Sievert, Nicholas A. and Embke, Holly S. and Robertson, Ashley M. and Myers, Bonnie J. E. and Allen, Micheal S. and Feiner, Zachary S. and Hoogakker, Frederick and Knoche, Scott and Krogman, Rebecca M. and et al.}, year={2021}, month={Nov}, pages={574–583} }
 @article{krabbenhoft_myers_wong_chu_tingley_falke_kwak_paukert_lynch_2020, title={FiCli, the Fish and Climate Change Database, informs climate adaptation and management for freshwater fishes}, volume={7}, ISSN={["2052-4463"]}, DOI={10.1038/s41597-020-0465-z}, abstractNote={AbstractInland fishes provide important ecosystem services to communities worldwide and are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Fish respond to climate change in diverse and nuanced ways, which creates challenges for practitioners of fish conservation, climate change adaptation, and management. Although climate change is known to affect fish globally, a comprehensive online, public database of how climate change has impacted inland fishes worldwide and adaptation or management practices that may address these impacts does not exist. We conducted an extensive, systematic primary literature review to identify peer-reviewed journal publications describing projected and documented examples of climate change impacts on inland fishes. From this standardized Fish and Climate Change database, FiCli (pronounced fick-lee), researchers and managers can query fish families, species, response types, or geographic locations to obtain summary information on inland fish responses to climate change and recommended management actions. The FiCli database is updatable and provides access to comprehensive published information to inform inland fish conservation and adaptation planning in a changing climate.}, number={1}, journal={SCIENTIFIC DATA}, author={Krabbenhoft, Trevor J. and Myers, Bonnie J. E. and Wong, Jesse P. and Chu, Cindy and Tingley, Ralph W., III and Falke, Jeffrey A. and Kwak, Thomas J. and Paukert, Craig P. and Lynch, Abigail J.}, year={2020}, month={Apr} }