Aquatic ecosystems represent some of the most species-diverse systems globally, yet are also some of the most imperiled. We study aquatic diversity across a broad range of taxa, although predominantly fishes. We examine diversity and conservation issues from the level of individual species to intercontinental comparisons of regional biota. We study issues related to the imperilment of species at risk, assess the vulnerability to and effects of invasive species, and determine how changing environmental conditions (e.g. climate change) impact species composition and distribution.
Selected recent publications
Jackson, D.A. and N.E. Mandrak. 2025. Plight of the endangered redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) in Canada: end of the road? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 82:1-14
Loewen, C.J.G., Jackson, D.A. and B. Gilbert. 2023. Biodiversity patterns diverge along geographic temperature gradients. Global Change Biology 29:603-617
Benoit, D.M., Jackson, D.A., and C. Chu. 2021. Partitioning fish communities into guilds for ecological analyses: an overview of current approaches and future directions. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78:984-993
Loewen, C.J.G., A.L. Strecker, B. Gilbert, and D.A. Jackson. 2020. Climate warming moderates the impacts of introduced sportfish on multiple dimensions of prey biodiversity. Global Change Biology 26:4937-4951