Green sturgeon, like salmon, are born in California streams, migrate to the sea, and return to freshwater to reproduce. Their life cycle, however, is less understood than that of salmon. These fish can live up to 60 years and grow large for a freshwater species, but they only start breeding at around 15 years of age.
Both salmon and sturgeon are endangered due to habitat loss, water diversions, and climate change. Conservation efforts for water projects often focus on salmon, which are better understood and more visible to the public. Measures to protect salmon may not necessarily benefit sturgeon.
Erin Tracy, a graduate student from the UC Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, is working with Professors Andrew Rypel and Nann Fangue to develop models to understand the life cycle of green sturgeon.
Their research aims to create effective conservation strategies for the green sturgeon, considering their unique life cycle and breeding habits. This could help protect this lesser-known species from threats in their natural habitats.