On July 4th, the first Independence Day fireworks will shoot into the sky reflecting off the nearby lake or river, making that familiar pop! pop! sound throughout the night. With all the exciting pyrotechnics, it’s easy to overlook the fish living just under the water’s surface.
Freshwater fish may seem impervious to the outside world under their protective layer of water, but climate change is already having major impacts on fish both around the world and right here in our backyards and communities.
With 2014 being Earth’s warmest year on record since 1880, climate change is an ever-present threat to freshwater environments. Changes in temperatures and precipitation levels are already having major impacts on fish populations. Fish are not only important because of their cultural, recreational and commercial value for humans but they also serve as a central piece of the food web for other fish and animals like birds, otters and bears. Understanding the effects of climate change on this important resource is paramount.
Read More: https://www.usgs.gov/news/hot-water-climate-change-reaches-underwater-impacts-freshwater-fisheries
