Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Montana news about the environment, natural resources, wildlife, climate change and more.

Climate change could create new salmon habitat, researchers say

Sockeye salmon swimming
Milton Love
/
Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara
Sockeye salmon swimming

Climate change may produce new pacific salmon habitat in the western US. That’s the finding of a study led by Simon Fraser University involving University of Montana researchers published in Nature Communications.

The study projects that the melting glaciers could produce over 3500 miles of pacific salmon habitat throughout the Pacific Mountain ranges of western North America by the year 2100.

Researchers say climate change is still a threat to the species and if it continues the new habitat will be temporary.

According to the study, climate change has had a negative impact on pacific salmon populations for decades but their findings can QUOTE “inform proactive management and conservation of Pacific salmon in this era of rapid climate chang

Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information