Optimizing translocation strategies for brook trout restoration in the Southern Appalachians.

As a cornerstone of brook trout recovery efforts, translocation requires a strategic approach to ensure new populations are resilient, genetically diverse, and built to last. 

Throughout their native range, brook trout have faced local extinctions driven by habitat fragmentation and competition with introduced species. While translocation is a vital tool for bringing these populations back, it presents complex questions: How many fish should be moved? How many source populations are needed? How should local genetic diversity be preserved? In partnership with state and federal agencies, and with the vital assistance of recreational anglers, we are evaluating the outcomes of translocation efforts within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. By analyzing these efforts through a genetic lens, we aim to optimize restoration strategies and ensure the long-term resilience of this iconic species in the Southern Appalachians.