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Integrated decision support tools for Puget Sound salmon recovery planning
Citation:
Mckane, Bob, B. Barnhart, J. Halama, P. Pettus, A. Brookes, Joe Ebersole, K. Djang, G. Blair, L. Benson, P. Swedeen, J. Kane, J. Hall, C. Spiry, D. Steiner, L. Chang, M. Rylko, AND G. Bonifacino. Integrated decision support tools for Puget Sound salmon recovery planning. 2016 Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, Vancouver, BC, CANADA, April 13 - 15, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
Salmon populations in Puget Sound have declined by about 90% during the past several decades. Local, state and federal jurisdictions are heavily invested in developing salmon recovery plans, but are generally limited by availability of decision support tools that are scientifically credible, address appropriate scales and processes, and produce results that are accessible to community stakeholders. This study addresses this need through the integration and application of a suite of tools in close collaboration with Puget Sound tribes and community stakeholders. These tools specifically address restoration of hydrological and ecological processes critical to salmon recovery, and more broadly, to the functioning of entire watersheds and the ecosystem services they provide. Pilot case studies are focusing on salmon recovery in the Nisqually River and Tolt River watersheds in the Puget Sound Basin. As part of EPA’s Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research Program, study results are also being used to help address other community concerns, such as the establishment of a Nisqually Community Forest that sustainably supports forest-sector jobs, recreation and tourism.
Description:
We developed a set of tools to provide decision support for community-based salmon recovery planning in Salish Sea watersheds. Here we describe how these tools are being integrated and applied in collaboration with Puget Sound tribes and community stakeholders to address restoration of hydrological and ecological processes critical to salmon recovery, and more broadly, to the functioning of entire watersheds and the ecosystem services they provide. For ongoing case studies in the Nisqually River and Tolt River watersheds in Washington, we are using a spatially-distributed watershed simulator – VELMA (Visualizing Ecosystem Land Management Assessments) – to quantify long-term effects of alternative forest management and climate scenarios on key salmon habitat variables, including peak and low flows, in-stream wood, fine sediment in spawning beds, and riparian condition. Stream temperature will be simulated using Penumbra, a new stream shade and temperature model that is being integrated with VELMA. VELMA/Penumbra stream habitat outputs will be used to drive the EDT (Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment) fish habitat model to simulate habitat potential and salmon population responses to the forest management and climate scenarios. A 3-D visualization tool (VISTAS; Cushing et al. 2009) is being used to summarize and communicate model outcomes in an intuitive way. An important goal of the case studies is to identify community-based best management practices for mitigating and adapting to projected changes in climate. For example, where and what kinds of in-stream, riparian and upland restoration practices will be most effective for improving cold water refuges, spawning and rearing habitat, and hydrologic flow regimes (higher summer flows and lower peak flows)? Model results are also being used to help address other community concerns, such as the establishment of a Nisqually Community Forest that sustainably supports forest-sector jobs, recreation and tourism.