Implications and Applications of Life History and Habitat Use Information

Greer MaierScience Program ManagerUpper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board

GOALS OF THE SESSION• Discuss ideas for applying life history and habitat

use information to project development, design, and decision-making.

• Learn about ongoing implications and applications of information on life history and habitat use.

• Generate a summary of applications and implications of life history and habitat use information in the Upper Columbia.

Current Abundance

SAR

WHY CONSIDER LIFE HISTORY?

EGG-TO-EMIGRANTSURVIVAL

PRE-SPAWNMORTALITY

Target Abundance

FRESHWATER SURVIVAL GAP

CURRENTSTL: 2,100% Gap

SP CHN: 670% GapTarget Egg-to-Emigrant

With 2% SARSTL: 1,100% Gap

SP CHN: 238% Gap

With 2% SAR & 40% PSMSTL: 880% Gap

SP CHN: 330% Gap

WHY CONSIDER LIFE HISTORY?

WHY CONSIDER LIFE HISTORY?Some Thoughts..• By maximizing habitat that not only supports

current life history strategies but also enhances opportunity for future life history diversity we maximize our contribution to recovery.

• By taking into consideration life history we can target the habitat requirements that lead to the greatest improvement in survival and performance at a particular site and reach.

SOME EXAMPLES• Snake River (e.g. Snake River SRB)

• Trinity River (e.g. Goodman et al. 2009)

• Columbia River Estuary (e.g. Bottom et al. 2011)

• EDT Subbasins (e.g. Okanogan OBMEP)

SESSION KEY QUESTIONS• Incorporating life history requirements/habitat preferences

into projects – examples and considerations?

• Type of information on life history/habitat use has been or should be used?

• Life history requirements that need to be considered in projects? In permitting?

• How does carrying capacity play into life history and habitat use strategies?

• What tool are available to help us incorporate this information?