Research interest

I have a general research interest in fish ecology, fish migration behaviour, population genetics, and fisheries management. I study ecological and evolutionary effects of human impact as hydropower, habitat degradation, fisheries, and releases of hatchery reared fish on wild populations. In my research I utilize techniques as radio-tagging, molecular methods, spatial and individual-based modelling. I use my research in scientific guidance for sustainability in fisheries management and implementation of management plans. My research focus is on Atlantic salmon and brown trout, but also other fish species as the European eel and Arctic charr.

Current projects

I coordinate the Diadromous Fish unit at the Institute of Freshwater Research and we are responsible for Swedens Data Collection (DCF) on salmon and European eel. These include monitoring and data sampling in rivers and lakes covering the whole of Sweden. Other projects in the unit are population genetic studies of trout and salmon in Lake Vänern, Sea trout and salmon in the Baltic Sea, and Atlantic salmon on the Swedish west coast. We conduct migration studies of salmon smolt in Swedish index rivers. We also host the electro-fishing database SERS within the division.

The Baltic Salmon Action Plan and the Eel management plan

The unit delivers scientific guidance for the Swedish authorities HaV regarding the new salmon management plan proposed by the European Commission. Also, we deliver scientific guidance on the management plan for European eel.

CV – link to full

Selected publications

Östergren, J. & Nilsson, J. 2012. Importance of life-history and landscape characteristics for genetic structure and genetic diversity of brown trout (salmo trutta L.) Ecology of Freshwater Fish. 21:119-133 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0633.2011.00529.

Östergren, J., Lundqvist, H. & Nilsson, J. 2011. High variability in spawning migration of sea trout Salmo trutta in two northern Swedish rivers. Fisheries Management and Ecology.  18:72-82. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2400.2010.00774.x

Lundqvist, H., Leonardsson, K., Carlsson, U., Larsson, S., Nilsson, J., Östergren, J., Karlsson, L., Rivinoja, P., Serrano, I., Palm, D., & Ferguson, J. 2010. Monitoring juvenile Atlantic salmon and sea trout in the River Sävarån, northern Sweden. In: C. Hurford, M. Schneider & I. Cowx (eds.) Conservation monitoring in freshwater habitats - a practical guide and case studies. DOI 10,1007/978-1-4020-9278-7_20. Springer Science+Business Media 2010.

Nilsson, J., Östergren, J., Lundqvist, H. & Carlsson, U. 2008. Genetic assessment of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and sea trout Salmo trutta stocking in a Baltic Sea river. Journal of Fish Biology 73, 1201–1215. DOI:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.01992.x

Östergren, J. & Rivinoja, P. 2008. Overwintering and downstream migration of sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) kelts under regulated flows-Northern Sweden. River Research and Applications. 24: 551–563. DOI: 10.1002/rra.1141

Christer Nilsson, Fabio Lepori, Björn Malmqvist, Erik Törnlund, Niclas Hjerdt, James M.Helfield, Daniel Palm, Johan Östergren, Roland Jansson, Eva Brännäs, and Hans Lundqvist. 2005. Forecasting Environmental Responses to Restoration of Rivers Used as Log Floatways: An Interdisciplinary Challenge.  Ecosystems (2005) 8: 779–800. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-005-0030-9