Data from: Spring temperature predicts upstream migration timing of invasive Sacramento pikeminnow within its introduced range

Rapid climate change and invasive species introductions threaten
ecological communities across the globe. Freshwaters are particularly
vulnerable and impacted, especially when these stresses coincide. We
document the migration of an invasive piscine predator, the Sacramento
pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis), within its introduced range, the South
Fork Eel River, California, USA. Snorkel surveys and temperature
monitoring in 2015–2019 showed that pikeminnow migrate upstream during
spring and early summer, with earlier migration in warmer years. We
developed a statistical temperature model to forecast the timing and
extent of upstream migration by pikeminnow under varying combinations of
discharge and air temperature. Modeled river temperature increased with
air temperature and downstream and decreased with discharge. In years with
low discharge and high air temperature, we predict pikeminnow will move
upstream earlier, increasing spatial and temporal overlap in their summer
range with native fishes. Managing conditions that reduce pikeminnow
co-occurrence with native fishes (i.e., decreasing river temperature)
could increase the amount and duration of predator-free habitat for native
fishes. We predict invasive pikeminnow will have larger impacts on invaded
riverine communities with global warming and increasing drought severity.
Knowledge of life history and phenology, for pikeminnow and other
organisms, can guide effective management as conditions change and help to
limit adverse impacts of introduced organisms on native species.