Warmer Waters Increase Pike Consumption in Alaska River
Why this is here: The study directly links a 63% increase in fish consumption by year-old pike to rising water temperatures in the Deshka River, demonstrating a clear metabolic response to climate change.
Rising water temperatures in Alaska’s Deshka River are causing northern pike to eat more fish. Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks analyzed pike stomach contents from 2021-2022 and compared them to samples from a decade prior. They found pike of all ages consumed more fish as temperatures increased, with year-old pike showing a 63% rise in consumption.
Mean summer air temperatures in the study area have warmed by about 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1919. Scientists predict northern pike consumption will increase by 6%–12% by 2100. This increased appetite poses a threat to native Chinook and coho salmon populations, which have already declined in the Deshka River.
Researchers noted warmer water boosts predator metabolism and energy needs. The study, published in Biological Invasions, highlights how climate change and invasive species may combine to impact freshwater ecosystems and contribute to fish extinctions.