Thesis Defense: Evaluating and Addressing Climate Change Related Threats to Atlantic Salmon...
In the coming weeks, UW master's students will defend their theses. The subjects are varied and the students are from both master's programs, Coastal Marine Management and Coastal Communities and Regional Development. The defenses are accessible to everyone through zoom links but they are also open to the public, at the University Centre of the Westfjords in Ísafjörður.
Student: Matthew Russell
Date & time: Wednesday September 4th at 13:00
Thesis title: Evaluating and Addressing Climate Change Related Threats to Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Habitat in the East River, Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Program: Coastal Marine Management
Zoom link: https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/62428026881
Abstract: Climate change is threatening the survival of Atlantic salmon in Nova Scotia´s East River East Branch. While the exact effects of climate change can be hard to predict, local projections suggest annual temperatures will
continue to rise over the coming decades leading to increased habitat destruction and the potential for a
population collapse. Without a proper climate adaptation strategy, the state of Atlantic salmon in the East River East Branch is in jeopardy. This study examines the overall quality and quantity of salmon habitat in the East River, East Branch. By conducting over 140 continues habitat suitability Index (HSI) surveys I have been able to identify the rivers strengths and weakness as well as the locations where salmon habitat is most at risk. This study goes on to clearly outline and define how climate change will only exacerbate the already struggling salmon populations withing the East River East Branch. The salmon habitat within the East River East Branch is in significant need of restoration. Human intervention is required to combat dangerously low pH levels and ever-increasing summer water temperatures as well as other factors leading to habitat degradation and increased climate vulnerability.
Defense schedule for this defense season:
| Date | Time | Student | Program | Thesis Title | Zoom link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 sept | 15:00 | Emma Dexter | CRD | Evaluating Place Attachment, Climate Change Awareness, and Risk Assessment: A Nationwide Study of Iceland in Times of Escalating Natural Hazard Risk | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/68684619097 |
| 4 sept | 13:00 | Matthew Russell | CMM | Evaluating and Addressing Climate Change Related Threats to Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Habitat in the East River, Pictou County, Nova Scotia | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/62428026881 |
| 6 sept | 9:00 | Gaëlle Messmer | CMM | Going forward: A look at small Icelandic municipalities and waste management strategies | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/63109995907 |
| 9 sept | 13:00 | Julius Barth | CRD | Energy Transition in Nova Scotia: Lessons from Danish Experiences Developing an Offshore Wind Industry | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/64895799487 |
| 10 sept | 9:30 | Ricarda Neehuis | CRD | The Westfjords Way: Evaluating Floating Home Implementation in Ísafjörður | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/67507631213 |
| 10 sept | 13:00 | Mallorie Iozzo | CMM | A Site Suitability Analysis for Regenerative Ocean Farming in Long Island Sound | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/67988684832 |
| 11 sept | 9:30 | Louise Wittwer | CRD | Plastic vs. Policy: A Plastic Pollution Policy Analysis in the Arctic | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/68018684579 |
| 11 sept | 13:00 | Orla Mallon | CMM | Exploring Benthic Biodiversity using Underwater Imagery in Melville Bay, Greenland | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/62528427919 |
| 12 sept | 9:00 | Elisa Janssen | CMM | Patterns of co – occurrence of parasites in Eastern Baltic cod stocks within different depth strata | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/61157747546 |
| 12 sept | 14:00 | Sophie Martell | CMM | Human-Wildlife Conflict in Iberian Waters: Orcinus orca and Vessels’ Encounters from a Socio-Ecological Systems Approach | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/69084877127 |
| 13 sept | 8:30 | Ela Keegan | CRD | Coastal Heritage and How Resilience Can Manifest in The Face Of Change: A Case Study Using Social Arts Practices in Rakiura, Aoeatora/New Zealand. | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/61113812289 |
| 16 sept | 9:30 | Rozalie Rasovzka | CRD | Women and northern paganism: Feminine aspect and roles of women in contemporary pagan organization Ásatrú in Iceland | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/63043654968 |
| 16 sept | 13:00 | Lara Kumm | CMM | Coastal Classification of Jones Sound in the Canadian High Arctic | https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/62135985443 |