Evolutionary physiology of thermal performance in Atlantic salmon

This project addresses the potential evolutionary and physiological impacts of heat waves on Atlantic salmon. Salmon populations are in decline, and the increasing severity of heatwaves poses a threat to juveniles. Thus, the understanding of physiological limitations of thermal performance is essential for assessing the future of salmon populations, as high river temperatures during the summer may jeopardise their summer growth or may change the age-structure of populations at maturity with cascading effects on population growth. This project answers questions on why is salmon growth reduced by high temperature, how these effects can be minimized (for example in aquaculture), and what kind of long-term impacts can heat waves have on salmon populations.