Identifying species at risk from climate change: Traits predict the drought vulnerability of freshwater fishes

► I tested the ability of traits to predict population changes of freshwater fishes during severe drought. ► A wide range of traits was significantly correlated with population changes. ► Simultaneous consideration of multiple traits enabled vulnerability ranking. ► Trait analysis has good potential for assessing vulnerability to climate change. ► Trait-vulnerability relationships should be developed separately for different taxonomic groups and ecosystem types.