Dr. Darren Johnson
Research by students in Dr. Darren Johnson's laboratory, in CNSM's Biological Sciences Department, suggests that changes in ocean temperature and acidity decrease the survival of fishes from the moment they hatch.
Specifically, they study how changes in ocean temperature and pH alter patterns of natural selection and measure the genetic capacity for fish populations to evolve. Researchers in the Johnson laboratory aim to better understand how climate change may threaten our fish populations, including understanding if fish larvae may become more tolerant of some climate change conditions.
So far, their research suggests that genetic adaptation can provide a critical boost to the long-term health of fish populations. However, the Johnson research team has also shown that adaptive responses cannot completely offset the harmful effects of a changing climate at the current rate of change.
Learn more about Dr. Darren Johnson and his work: Johnson Lab.
