Mapping the Establishment and Invasiveness Potential of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Turkey: With Special Emphasis on the Conservation of Native Salmonids

Rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) has become by far the most frequently farmed freshwater fish species in Turkey, whereas very little is known about its establishment and invasiveness potential. We explored this potential through a combination of Maxent habitat suitability model Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) on river basin scale generating an overall risk score (ORS). The outcome approach was also incorporated with spatial analysis native salmonid relative vulnerability (RVS) to prioritize susceptibility (or populations) propose hotspots identifying their geographic overlap interaction O. . Results suggest that northern basins (Eastern Black Sea, Western Sea Marmara basins) are suitable for According Basic Risk Assessment (BRA) threshold scores, classified as “high risk” 3 (12.0%) 25 screened (Western Eastern Maritza-Ergene), “medium remaining basins. climate change assessment (CCA) scores negatively contributed 22 (88.0%) resulted zero contribution three, namely Aras-Kura, Çoruh Sea. ORS lowest Orontes highest it Konya-closed when CCA associated. micro-basins occupied Salmo rizeensis had mean Among all species, S. abanticus RVS, followed munzuricus euphrataeus present study suggests may decrease under future (climate warmer) except northeast region. This can provide environmental managers policy makers insight into using multiple tools decision-making. proposed RVS be considered complementary tool improve IUCN red list protocols species.