Lauren Reese
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Mentor(s): Karen Alofs
Research Mentor School/College/Department: School for Environment and Sustainability / SNRE
Program: UROP
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors: Lauren Reese, Karen Alofs
Abstract
Within various types of species there are changes expected, such as length variations, due to the changing environment. Some species are expected to have an accelerated growth rate, while others a decelerated rate. Understanding changes in the growth of a species over time can aid in clarifying the impact of climate change on the species and ecosystems. Not only that, but it can also demonstrate which specific species are most affected or at threat. To determine how Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) is changed by the warming climate, a variety of historical and environmental data were collected to see the factors which explain general range of size at different times of their life cycle. Museum specimens were also measured and scales were taken to determine the age of fish. Specimen data were compared with historical data for fishes of different ages. All of this collected data was then used to determine the growth trends for Perca flavescens across several decades in the 20th century.
