Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon
Abstract Instream barriers remain ubiquitous threats to freshwater species and their habitats. Decisions regarding barrier removal are often aimed at maximizing habitat area and connectivity for freshwater fish; yet can be challenging due to the sheer number of barriers, uncertainty in species prese...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Conservation Science and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12973 |
| _version_ | 1827877285199347712 |
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| author | Riley J. R. Finn Lia Chalifour Sarah E. Gergel Scott G. Hinch David C. Scott Tara G. Martin |
| author_facet | Riley J. R. Finn Lia Chalifour Sarah E. Gergel Scott G. Hinch David C. Scott Tara G. Martin |
| author_sort | Riley J. R. Finn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Instream barriers remain ubiquitous threats to freshwater species and their habitats. Decisions regarding barrier removal are often aimed at maximizing habitat area and connectivity for freshwater fish; yet can be challenging due to the sheer number of barriers, uncertainty in species presence, abundance, and habitat quality, as well as limited budgets alongside high costs of restoration. Here, we apply systematic conservation planning to prioritize in‐stream barrier removal aimed at restoring habitat connectivity for 14 populations of wild Pacific salmon in the lower Fraser River, Canada's most productive salmon‐bearing river. To understand how priorities change when stream quality is considered, we contrast scenarios that maximize habitat extent with scenarios that include four indicators of habitat quality. Region‐wide, approximately 64% of naturally accessible stream length is currently blocked by barriers. We estimate approximately 75% of this alienated habitat (over 1600 km of stream), could have full access restored with an investment of $200 million CAD, whereas 60% could be restored for half this amount. When stream quality was considered within the optimization, priorities for barriers removal shifted away from urbanized floodplain valleys towards less developed areas. The spatial shift in priorities meant that species like chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) would see less restored habitat. To inform barrier removal strategies using these model scenarios, an iterative and adaptive approach will be required that includes the values and priorities of rights and titleholders. Continuous improvement in data quality, accuracy, and feedback from monitoring as barriers are restored is also crucial. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:35:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1ea22f0fe11d451484f8e572d5f751ca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2578-4854 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:35:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation Science and Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-1ea22f0fe11d451484f8e572d5f751ca2023-08-04T11:36:29ZengWileyConservation Science and Practice2578-48542023-08-0158n/an/a10.1111/csp2.12973Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmonRiley J. R. Finn0Lia Chalifour1Sarah E. Gergel2Scott G. Hinch3David C. Scott4Tara G. Martin5The Conservation Decisions Lab, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia CanadaThe Conservation Decisions Lab, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia CanadaDepartment of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia CanadaPacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia CanadaRaincoast Conservation Foundation Sidney British Columbia CanadaThe Conservation Decisions Lab, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia CanadaAbstract Instream barriers remain ubiquitous threats to freshwater species and their habitats. Decisions regarding barrier removal are often aimed at maximizing habitat area and connectivity for freshwater fish; yet can be challenging due to the sheer number of barriers, uncertainty in species presence, abundance, and habitat quality, as well as limited budgets alongside high costs of restoration. Here, we apply systematic conservation planning to prioritize in‐stream barrier removal aimed at restoring habitat connectivity for 14 populations of wild Pacific salmon in the lower Fraser River, Canada's most productive salmon‐bearing river. To understand how priorities change when stream quality is considered, we contrast scenarios that maximize habitat extent with scenarios that include four indicators of habitat quality. Region‐wide, approximately 64% of naturally accessible stream length is currently blocked by barriers. We estimate approximately 75% of this alienated habitat (over 1600 km of stream), could have full access restored with an investment of $200 million CAD, whereas 60% could be restored for half this amount. When stream quality was considered within the optimization, priorities for barriers removal shifted away from urbanized floodplain valleys towards less developed areas. The spatial shift in priorities meant that species like chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) would see less restored habitat. To inform barrier removal strategies using these model scenarios, an iterative and adaptive approach will be required that includes the values and priorities of rights and titleholders. Continuous improvement in data quality, accuracy, and feedback from monitoring as barriers are restored is also crucial.https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12973barriersculvertsdamsfish passagefloodgatesFraser River |
| spellingShingle | Riley J. R. Finn Lia Chalifour Sarah E. Gergel Scott G. Hinch David C. Scott Tara G. Martin Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon Conservation Science and Practice barriers culverts dams fish passage floodgates Fraser River |
| title | Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon |
| title_full | Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon |
| title_fullStr | Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon |
| title_short | Using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon |
| title_sort | using systematic conservation planning to inform restoration of freshwater habitat and connectivity for salmon |
| topic | barriers culverts dams fish passage floodgates Fraser River |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12973 |
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