UKCEH scientists are part of the new Lake District Charr Recovery & Management project (LD-CHARM) which is gathering evidence to protect and restore Arctic charr populations in Windermere and other lakes in the surrounding catchment.
The Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) is a cold-water salmonid species which, in the Lake District, is near the southern extent of its natural distribution. Populations in the region are thought to have declined substantially in recent decades due to threats including invasive non-native species (principally the ruffe, which can eat the eggs of other fish), habitat degradation, pollution and climate change, but their current status is poorly understood.
The cultural significance of Arctic charr populations in the English Lake District dates back hundreds of years. Led by the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA), the LD-CHARM project was awarded funding from Natural England's Species Recovery Programme to support research that could save this locally iconic species from extinction in England.
The project will address key questions, including how many independent charr populations still exist within the Lake District, particularly Windermere, and assessing the genetic health of these populations. It will also investigate pressures on the charr’s historic spawning grounds in the area, what can be done to alleviate these pressures, and check for as-yet undiscovered spawning areas.
Previous research by Dr Lori Lawson Handley from UKCEH’s Aquatic Ecosystems Group, together with project collaborator, Prof Bernd Hänfling from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), has demonstrated how effective environmental DNA (eDNA) is for detecting spawning of Arctic charr on Windermere. The UKCEH team will use eDNA techniques again in the LD-CHARM project, together with hydroacoustics and ROV-mounted cameras as a non-invasive way of assessing the spawning status and habitat condition of Arctic charr on their autumn and spring spawning sites. Together with population genomics analysis carried out by UHI, this work will provide crucial data to understand the status of charr and inform evidence-based conservation actions to mitigate identified threats and promote population recovery.
Dr Steve Thackeray, Head of Aquatic Ecosystems at UKCEH said, "Like many freshwater ecosystems globally, Windermere is under pressure due to climate change, pollution, and the introduction of non-native species. During this time of environmental change, Arctic charr, a culturally-important cold-water fish species, have been in dramatic decline.
"However, we do not have a good current picture of how the species is faring in England’s largest lake. By working together under this important project, we can gather vital scientific evidence on this charismatic species, and guide future conservation efforts. We are excited to be part of the collaboration bringing the latest scientific techniques to this vital research."
Lessons learned during the LD-CHARM project will also be used to inform and develop a Lake District Rare Fish Conservation Programme.
More information on the LD-CHARM project can be found on the FBA’s website.
Associated with the project, the FBA has also launched a fundraising campaign: Lake District Charr Recovery & Management (CHARM) – Big Give.