European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) is an anadromous fish that breeds in rivers and which was previously found on most coasts of Europe. The last population of this species, nowadays listed as critically endangered, is reproducing in the Garonne basin near Bordeaux, south-west of France. In order to avoid extinction, the applied strategy since 1985 has been to release young fish into natural environment. These young individuals resulted from the assisted reproduction of wild and/or captive mature individuals. Recently recorded data in the Garonne basin show that in some sectors, where juveniles are likely to growth, summer temperatures have reached very high levels and water column has been hypoxic. Therefore, the combined influence of these factors on the young developmental stages needs to be assessed. The main goal of our project is to provide key information for improving the management of young fish release, especially age at release and release sites that maximize the fish survival. In this purpose, we will first calibrate a standard DEB model, based on the large dataset provided by the long term ex-situ stock breeding in our research institute. This model will firstly be used to evaluate the effect of temperature and oxygen on the survival rate of the first developmental stages. Other aspects of the life cycle will also be investigated, such as the link between maturity and the migration dynamics of the species and the impact of environmental conditions on eggs quality. The last part of our project will consist in the implementation of the standard DEB model within a pre-existing Individual Based Model (IBM) of the sturgeon population dynamics in the Garonne basin. This methodology will allow us to identify which individual traits are determinant in order to maximize the reinforcement of the sturgeon population in this basin.< Leer menos