Landscape Level Model for Pink Salmon Habitat

What We Know About IP Models

Field Notes

Based on working hypothesis that persistent watershed geomorphic characteristics affect stream aquatic habitat and in turn affect salmonid populations

DEM

Intrinsic Potential

Scale

Concerns

A habitat-potential model that uses geospatial data (DEM) to identify stream reaches associated with salmonid densities

Anthropogenic

• Stream layer-poor
• Estuary channels-dropped
• Peak rotation-tricky
• Chum salmon-bonus

Current potential =

Intrinsic potential (historic conditions/Future potential) – Anthropogenic modification

Persistent stream attributes

Persistent Reach Characteristics

Reach defined hydrologic characteristics

Burnett et al. 2007

Coho, Steelhead, Chinook

Intrinsic habitat features: mean annual flow, precipitation, channel gradient, confinement & width

Limiting life stage is used for model

Not easily altered by anthropogenic influence

Pink salmon have evolved and adapted to these persistent watershed characteristics

Extrinsic: road density, erosion index, canopy cover, riparian quality

NetMap

Landscape Level Model to Predict Spawning Habitat for Pink Salmon:

SE Alaska

References

Outline

Benda, Lee, Daniel Miller, Kevin Andras, Paul Bigelow, Gordon Reeves, and David Michael. “NetMap: A New Tool in Support of Watershed Science and Resource Management.” Forest Science 53, no. 2 (2007): 206–19.

Burnett, Kelly M., Gordon H. Reeves, Daniel J. Miller, Sharon Clarke, Ken Vance-Borland, and Kelly Christiansen. “Distribution of Salmon-Habitat Potential Relative to Landscape Characteristics and Implications for Conservation.” Ecological Applications 17, no. 1 (2007): 66–80.

Stevens, Don L, and Anthony R Olsen. “Spatially Balanced Sampling of Natural Resources.” Journal of the American Statistical Association 99, no. 465 (March 2004): 262–78. doi:10.1198/016214504000000250.

What we know about IP models

Why we need IP for pink salmon

• Research question
• Objectives

Technical approach

• Location, sample scheme, sample sites
• Schedule - field, analysis, thesis

Technical Approach

Why we need IP model for pink salmon

Quantitative Model Calibration

NetMap

GRTS

Hoonah Native Forest Partnership

Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified Survey Design

Emphasize spatial-balance

Every replication of the sample exibits a spatial density pattern that mimics the spatial density pattern of the resource layer

Landscape scale community forest approach to watershed planning

Oversample selection

R package: library(spsurvey)

RCPP - Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Sealaska Corporation, in collaboration with Huna Totem Corp., Hoonah Indian Association, USFS, The Nature Conservancy & ADFG

Stratified GRTS survey design, 250m reach, peak rotation

Objective: to develop and implement a watershed planning framework to guide conservation activities that are aimed at balancing cultural, economic, and ecological values

Corresponds with NRCS goal to improve, protect, and conserve natural resources on private land

Help improve ecological and economic sustainability of natural resources in the Hoonah community

Research Question

NetMap

IP Model

Objectives

Watershed assessment and planning tool: ArcGIS

A broad scale perspective model (regional/landscape/riverscape) for designing, evaluating, and implementing freshwater habitat conservation and long term monitoring

Used to classify salmon production potential of streams

Research goal: To understand the relationship between persistent watershed characteristics and relative density of pink salmon

Access to NetMap to create stream layer and IP variables from DEM

Identify locations where salmon habitat could be improved and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment alternatives

169,988 acres

Fish IP component only includes coho, chinook, steehead

Used to identify future potential high-quality spawning habitat for pink salmon

Define the persistent variables that drive the model

Important for long-term management & monitoring of salmon stocks

Used by federal, state, and local organizations

Conservation of critical habitat

What are the important persistent watershed geomorphic variables that are drivers of pink salmon spawning habitat and are correlated with fish density?

Applicable to SE Alaska

Field data collection: stratified by basin size

-REDD survey

(http://www.terrainworks.com/)

Validate Model - 2nd visit in 2016 to collect data from West side

Bern Romey