Green

Photo/Sage Leehey

Scientists used fiber optic thermometers, like this one held by Scott Taylor, to measure the water temperature in Devils Hole.

Fish out of water

Desert fish near extinction

In an isolated, small cavern filled with geothermal water in the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Nevada, there’s a tiny desert fish that by lives no where else. And there’s only about 35 of them left.

Sage Leehey This pool—Devils Hole—is only connected to other waterways in the sagel@ subterranean, so these fish cannot swim to another location. University of newsreview.com Nevada, Reno hydrological sciences professor Scott Taylor is the principal investigator on Las Vegas Desert Research Institute hydrologist Mark Hausner’s new study that details how climate change is bringing this fish—the Devils Hole pupfish—to the brink of extinction. The study was completed for Hausner’s dissertation as a student at UNR. “The fish live in this sort of strange world, and they like to spawn when there’s food available, and that happens when the sun gets high enough in the sky in the springtime to hit the water surface in Devils Hole,” Taylor said. The sun allows plankton, diatoms and other food sources for the pupfish to grow in the water, but it’s also when the water temperature is at its highest. “So the period when they can actually spawn or lay their eggs and hatch is a somewhat narrow window,” Taylor said. “So what’s happening is that as the climate changes, the air is warming so the pond surface is getting warmer faster in the season, so before the sun comes up to make the food, the water is already getting too warm for them to spawn effectively.” They measured water temperature, modeled how the water mixes and overturns seasonally in Devils Hole and took the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s predictions for climate change and ran them together in a numerical model to determine what the effects will likely be on the pupfish. For more information They found that the optimal recruitment period—the time when conditions on this study, visit are ideal for hatching and feeding of the larvae—will be shortened by two http://tinyurl.com/ weeks by mid-century. This is in addition to the one week the period has omtsg5e. already been shortened because of warming that has already occurred. The water level in Devils Hole also contributes to warming—it’s about a foot lower than it has historically been, which makes the water easier to heat. Taylor said this is partly because of drought conditions and climate change, but it also has to do with groundwater pumping for agriculture in the late ’60s. This was halted by the Supreme Court, but it still occurs in the area—just farther away. There are many questions about this fish species and Taylor sees these as opportunities to learn more and then apply it to other species and topics. Where did these fish come from? How did they get to Devils Hole? And how did they survive around 10,000 years of isolation and breeding with very limited genetic material? Part of the reason these fish are important is for scientific study, but Taylor also says that all species are important. Projects to save this species from extinction are underway and varied. Some eggs have hatched and survived outside of Devils Hole in an aquarium and scientists are working to get them to breed outside, too. Hausner is also using models to look into ways to cool the water—maybe by shading the hole—and ways to raise the water level in order to counteract the warming. Taylor said this project could open doors to new research in the future. “We’ve combined strong engineering and mathematics with ecology, and bringing those two disciplines together is pretty powerful,” Taylor said. “It kind of lays out a little bit of a pathway to look at other species that may be impacted by climate change.” Ω

MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

Hawkins Outdoor Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch, Reno Great Food and Beverages 2 Days10 Bands!

Featuring: by Men Wielding Fire

Craig Fletcher Band Jason King Band David John and the Comstock Cowboys Tickets: www.SNPAA.org

Kelly McFarling and the Home Team Questions: info@SNPAA.org Visit Us On

Hundred Ones Strange on the Range The Novelists Mark Sexton Band Coolers Not Permitted in the Amphitheater Sponsored By The Sierra Nevada

Slide Mountain Band Left Arm Tan Performing Arts Association

Itʼ s happening in

ACTIVITIES

GREAT BASIN BREWING CO. FARMERS MARKET

Nevada’s farmers, ranchers, food purveyors and artisans will converge at Great Basin Brewing Company for the late-season Nevada Grown farmers market. Th, 3:307:30PM through 9/25, free. Great Basin Brewing Co. 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 3557711

BUILD AND BLING GOURD BIRDHOUSES

Presented by Jack Fulton. Learn the techniques for building gourd birdhouses and making them look fabulous for your feathered friends. Great project for the whole family! Sa, 9/13, 11AM, $10 per gourd; all other supplies included. Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way (775) 355-1551

HARVEST FESTIVAL

Our second annual Harvest Festival and artisan fair. Come see the harvest of our local farmers and gardeners, enjoy great food, fun activities for the kids and a vegetable competition for the best and biggest in Northern Nevada; prizes will be awarded! Local artisans will also be on hand with their creations. We will also hold our Scarecrow Building class from 10am-2pm- $15 per scarecrow- all supplies included. Sa, 9/20, 10AM-5PM and Su, 9/21, 10AM-5PM, free. Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way (775) 355-1551

SCHEELS RUNNING CLUB

Run with expert pacers and enjoy running in a group. Tu, 6:30PM through 12/9, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

CROCHET CONNECTION

Learn to crochet or share tips with other crochet enthusiasts. Th, 4-5:45PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway. (775) 424-1800

FOUR SEASONS BOOK CLUB

The book club meets the fi rst Saturday of each month. Call to fi nd out each month’s book title. First Sa of every month, 1-2PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

CONVERSATION CAFE

The drop-in conversation program meets on the fi rst Saturday of each month, 2-4PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

FOOD TRUCK DRIVE-IN

Food Truck Drive-In comes to Victorian Square on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month through October. 5PM to 9PM. Enjoy the fi nest in mobile cuisine including Hawaiian fusion, desserts, hot dogs, pulled pork nachos and much more! After dinner, head to Saint Mary’s Ampitheater for a free movie at 8PM. This week’s movie (September 13) is Princess and the Frog. Victorian Square, Victorian Ave, free.

CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP

This class is for knitters of all ages and levels. Yarn and needles are available. First and Third Su of every month, 1:30-3PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, Spanish Springs (775) 424-1800

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

THE MARK CASTRO BAND

Classic rock and pop duo F, 9/12, 6PM, no cover. Red Hawk Golf and Resort, 6600 N. Wingfi eld Pkwy.(775) 626-6000

LEFT OF CENTRE

Th, 9/11, 7PM, F, 9/12, 7PM and Sa, 9/13, 7PM, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

12 OH 5 ROCKING PADDY & IRENE’S FAREWELL

Paddy and Irene have been small business bar owners here in the Sparks Area for over 10 years. They are fi nally going to retire and we are going to send them out with a big bang. Come down to Paddy’s for music, food and dancing till the sun comes up!!!! Sa, 9/13, 9:30PM. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave (775) 3585484

RUSTLERS’ HEAT

Sa, 9/13, 9PM, no cover. CBQ, 1330 Scheels Dr. (775) 359-1109

KEITH ALAN DUO

Su, 9/14, 3PM, no cover. CBQ, 1330 Scheels Dr (775) 359-1109

DECOY

Sa, 9/20, 9PM, no cover. CBQ, 1330 Scheels Dr. (775) 359-1109

ACOUSTIC WONDERLAND

This is a singer/song writer Showcase. Come down to Paddy’s and bring your acoustic instruments. Sign ups are at 7:30PM and music begins at 8PM. M-Su, 8PM through 9/25. Opens 9/11. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

DJ RAZZ

Come dance the night away to DJ RAZZ! You can even karaoke if you like. Ladies Night every Friday NIGHT. Drink Specials all night. F, 9PM through 9/25. Opens 9/12. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

DIRK SPALDO AND SUPER NATURAL HEROS

We are going to have two great bands coming to you LIVE!!! Dirk Spaldo and Super Natural Heros is an Alternative/rock band and will open for 11/11, also an Alternative Rock cover Band. Sa, 9/20, 9:30PM. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

BIKINI BULL RIDING

DJ and Bikini Bull Riding Competition. Su, 5 & 9PM through 12/28, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LOCALS NIGHT

Locals Night, DJ. M, 5PM through 12/29, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LIVE MONDAYS WITH TANY JANE

Open mic night every Monday at 8PM, hosted by Tany Jane. M, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

CLASSIC ROCK NIGHT

Classic rock night with DJ. Tu, 5PM through 12/30, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

OPEN JAM WITH TAZER & FRIENDS

W, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

LADIES NIGHT & TOUGHEST COWBOY

Ladies Night w/live music and Toughest Cowboy Competition. DJ breaks until midnight. W, 7 & 9PM through 12/31, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

A SINGERS-SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE

Bring yourself, your instrument and your song. We look forward to hearing and seeing you there! Th, 8PM through 12/18, no cover. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

LIVE MUSIC & LATE NIGHT DJ

Live music with late-night DJ. F, 5PM-2AM & 7-11PM through 12/26, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LIVE MUSIC & LATE NIGHT DJ

Live music with late-night DJ. Sa, 5PM-2AM & 7PMmidnight through 12/27, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 3563300

KARAOKE

KARAOKE COMES TO SIDELINES

Every Monday Night!!! M, 8PM. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

KARAOKE WITH BOBBY DEE

Tu, 8PM, no cover. Morelli’s G Street Saloon, 2285 G St. (775) 355-8281

KARAOKE

Th-Sa, 9PM, no cover. Bottom’s Up Saloon, 1923 Prater Way (775) 359-3677