Date of Award
2013
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Oceanography
Specialization
Biological Oceanography
Department
Oceanography
First Advisor
Jeremy S. Collie
Abstract
The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography Fish trawl survey of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA, provides a unique weekly time series of fish and invertebrate abundances over the last five decades (1959-present). Conditions in the bay changed in numerous ways since 1959 including increasing sea surface temperature and declining chlorophyll concentrations. With rising ocean temperatures, fish species may change phenology, abundance, or physiologically adapt to differing temperature regimes.
A comparison of species distributions according to water temperature and week of year is made with single-parameter quotient analyses to assess the magnitude and patterns of temporal changes. Species that usually inhabit the bay during the winter, spring, and early summer shifted towards later seasonal distributions in recent years; fall species shifted towards earlier seasonal distribution. In general, pelagic-feeding species’ abundances increased while demersal-feeders declined. Results suggest species alter phenology and thermal preferences to follow changing seasonal distribution of chlorophyll, used as a proxy for bay production. The small spatial scale of this study allows for better examination of local variability in fish species’ responses to ocean warming relative to similar regional studies.
Recommended Citation
Henderson, M. Elisabeth, "IMPACTS OF CHANGING INSHORE WATER TEMPERATURES ON PHENOLOGY AND THERMAL PREFERENCES OF FISH SPECIES" (2013). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 172.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/172
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