National CASC Research Fish Biologist Abigail Lynch researches the impacts of global change on inland fishes at local, national, and global scales. Her work aims to inform conservation and sustainable use and to help fishers, managers, and other practitioners adapt to change. Through her research and collaborations, Lynch has co-authored four publications that were among the most highly cited papers multiple environmental science journals in 2022! Check out these top cited publications below:

"Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of life-history variability for a south-western cutthroat trout"  

Journal: Ecology of Freshwater Fish  

Summary: Changing stream conditions could impact the growth and maturation of Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Abigail and coauthors found that trout in cooler streams grew larger, but slower than trout in warmer streams. These findings demonstrate that these fish have traits that adapt them to different environment, which could be passed down. 

"Twenty-five essential research questions to inform the protection and restoration of freshwater biodiversity" 

Journal: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems  

Summary: In this paper, Abigail and her team identified the most critical research topics that need to be addressed to promote and restore freshwater biodiversity. The collected questions were curated from the global freshwater conservation community to provide a broad but comprehensive list of questions impacting areas around the world. 

"Managing for RADical ecosystem change: applying the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework" 

Journal: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment  

Summary: Abigail worked with National CASC scientists Laura Thompson and Steve Jackson to provide guidance on the application of the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) decision-making framework for the management of natural resources in the face of climate change. 

"How Does Climate Change Affect Emergent Properties of Aquatic Ecosystems?" 

Journal: Fisheries  

Summary: In this synthesis project led by Northeast CASC scientist Michelle Staudinger, Abigail and coauthors identify three major mechanisms through which climate change can restructure freshwater aquatic ecosystems. This work was the result of an American Fisheries Science Symposium and research for the 4th National Climate Assessment.