SALMOCLIM
 |
Survival cost of growth in a changing climate: evidence, consequences and opportunities for wild Atlantic salmon adaptation |
|
Research
Context and Issues
When integrated within a well-reasoned management approach, exploitation of fish stocks can be used as an opportunity to help species adapt to anticipated climate change. Atlantic salmon is a relevant case study for addressing this issue. A strong demand exists for assessing consequences of climate change for this emblematic species, which exhibits high phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary trade-offs. A survival cost of growth is likely in the wild, but evidence for it remains elusive. Given the central role of growth in the demographic strategy of Atlantic salmon, this is a major limitation for assessing:
- the effect of climate change on populations
- the potential utility of selective exploitation, especially for size.
Objectives
- Investigate the potential for counter-selection of high growth in juvenile Atlantic salmon and its reinforcement with climate change
- Study trans-generational transmission of growth potential
- Explore implications of selective exploitation schemes on eco-genetic dynamics under climate change
Methodology
The project is based on the "Small Coastal Streams" Environmental Research Observatory. It combines experimentation, long-term data monitoring and integrative modelling. It also opens a new potential field of collaboration between ecologists and physiologists on the links between variability in metabolic gene expressions, genetic polymorphism and growth performance.
Results
The SALMOCLIM project expects to provide evidence of a survival cost of growth, an initial appraisal of its proximate and genetic basis, and a detailed assessment of its consequences for population adaptation to climate change.
People involved
 |
BESNARD Anne-Laure, Technician Phone : +33 2 23 48 54 43 Email : anne-laure.besnard(at)inrae.fr |
 |
EVANNO Guillaume, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 54 45 Email : guillaume.evanno*at*inrae.fr |
 |
NEVOUX Marie, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 50 15 Email : marie.nevoux@inrae.fr |
Partners
Funding and Support
INRA, Metaprogramme Adaptation of agriculture and forests to climate change ACCAF