• Golden Algae Monitoring Program, NMDGF. The NMDGF is conducting statewide 
monitoring of the golden algae to determine the effects of algal blooms on zooplankton, 
fish communities, and aquatic macroinvertebrates. The measurement of physicochemical 
parameters will serve to develop predictors for blooms and toxic events and to prescribe 
management actions to maintain sport fisheries, native fish communities, and aquatic 
macro invertebrates. 
• San Juan River Non-native Fish Removal Program, NMDGF, USFWS, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The Program, a collaborative 
efforts since 2001, restores the native fish of the San Juan River, including physical 
removal of non-native piscivores and common carp. 
• Non-native Crayfish Survey, NMDGF. Since 1991, the NMDGF has been actively 
documenting the statewide occurrence of non-native crayfish. 
• Zebra Mussel Monitoring, USFWS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Mexico 
State Parks. Zebra mussel monitoring was initiated in 2005 at three state parks 
(Conchas Lake, Heron Lake, Elephant Butte) and two sites on the Rio Chama. 
• Chytrid Fungus Monitoring, NMDGF, Western New Mexico State University, Pisces 
Molecular (Boulder, CO). Chytrid fungus infections, implicated in the decline of 
amphibians worldwide, are known to occur in four species of anurans and one 
salamander in New Mexico. Using molecular genetic techniques, collaborative efforts 
are ongoing to survey New Mexico for incidence of occurrence in other amphibian taxa. 
A.32.3. CLIMATE CHANGE CONCERNS 
• Climate change could have significant effects on native fish. An increase of even a few 
degrees in water temperature would lead to loss of habitat and species. Non-native trout 
with higher tolerance to warmer water temperatures and degraded water quality would be 
at an advantage. 
A.32.4. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIONS 
(None reported.) 
A.32.5. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION USED 
• Statewide surveys for non-native crayfish are being conducted. 
A.32.6. RESEARCH NEEDS 
• The upper temperature tolerance of fish, the impact of varying degrees of water quality 
on fish, the mechanisms through which non-native trout out-compete or displace native 
trout, and the native trout’s life history characteristics need to be researched. 
A-83 
