Variation in behaviour of individuals can directly influence the adaptability of organisms to ecological change; for example, past work has demonstrated the role that migration might play in mitigating the effects of species invasions. To test our theories, we use mesocosms as experimental arenas to evaluate the behaviour of fish to novel environments, as well as state-of-the-art fish tracking equipment for investigations in the field.

Recent investments in fish tracking infrastructure at the IISD-ELA and partnerships with the Ontario government are facilitating new research to evaluate both detailed 3-dimensional movement of fishes during ecosystem change, as well as the movement ecology of Great Lakes fishes.