Northern Pike in Alaska Eat More Fish as River Temperatures Rise
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A study led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) found that northern pike in the Deshka River are consuming significantly more fish as water temperatures increase. Year-old pike now eat 63% more fish than they did a decade ago, a trend that could continue as climate models project further warming. This shift in predator behavior may be affecting Chinook and coho salmon populations in the region.
Facts First
- Northern pike across all age groups increased their fish consumption as temperatures rose in the Deshka River.
- Year-old northern pike consumed 63 percent more fish than they did ten years prior.
- Average summer air temperatures have increased by approximately 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1919 and by 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit over the past decade.
- Models suggest northern pike food intake could increase by an additional 6% to 12% by the year 2100.
- The number of Chinook and coho salmon found in pike stomachs decreased over the past decade.
What Happened
Researchers led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) examined the stomach contents of northern pike collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in the Deshka River during the summers of 2021 and 2022. They compared these findings with samples taken from pike in the same river approximately ten years earlier. The analysis showed that northern pike across all age groups increased their fish consumption as temperatures rose. Year-old northern pike consumed 63 percent more fish than they did ten years prior. The study findings were published in the journal Biological Invasions.
Why this Matters to You
If you are concerned about the health of Alaska's salmon fisheries, this study indicates a direct link between warming waters and increased predation by invasive species. Northern pike, which were introduced illegally to Southcentral Alaska, share habitat with Chinook and coho salmon populations. The observed decrease in salmon found in pike stomachs over the past decade suggests salmon may be becoming scarcer in these waters, which could affect local fishing opportunities and the broader ecosystem.
What's Next
Models suggest that northern pike food intake could increase by an additional 6% to 12% by the year 2100, as average summer air temperatures have already increased by approximately 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1919. Water temperatures in the Deshka River, which flows into the Susitna River, have remained above historical averages in recent years. This trend may continue to alter predator-prey dynamics in the region.