Start Date
2-11-2019 2:10 PM
End Date
2-11-2019 2:20 PM
Abstract
A number of salmon utilize Portland’s urban waterways including Chinook and Coho, and steelhead trout. The City of Portland has implemented and planned numerous aquatic, riparian, and stormwater restoration actions to improve habitat for salmonids and other natives; and Portland is the first city to receive Salmon Safe Certification. We conducted an independent evaluation process as part of the certification to evaluate effects of restoration actions on habitat for salmonids in the context of an urban environment and climate change. We engaged a multi-party process to incorporate empirical data, spatial analysis, expert knowledge, and mathematical modeling into a holistic evaluation of city-wide aquatic habitat restoration actions. We utilized a spatially-explicit ecosystem model to evaluate impacts of past and future restoration under current and future conditions, including the impacts of increased stream temperature under climate change alongside project maturation over time. Our results highlight areas of these urban streams that would be most important to protect or restore for these fish species and identify the largest impacts on these urban stream populations in the present and future. In addition to evaluating future in-stream restoration priorities, the city is incorporating the results into its Stormwater System Plan that evaluates stormwater infrastructure needs to align built and natural green infrastructure investments to also benefit salmonids and watersheds.
Subjects
Climate Change, Fisheries, Habitat restoration
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/33806
Interaction of climate change with restoration action maturation in an urban environment: Impacts to salmon habitat
A number of salmon utilize Portland’s urban waterways including Chinook and Coho, and steelhead trout. The City of Portland has implemented and planned numerous aquatic, riparian, and stormwater restoration actions to improve habitat for salmonids and other natives; and Portland is the first city to receive Salmon Safe Certification. We conducted an independent evaluation process as part of the certification to evaluate effects of restoration actions on habitat for salmonids in the context of an urban environment and climate change. We engaged a multi-party process to incorporate empirical data, spatial analysis, expert knowledge, and mathematical modeling into a holistic evaluation of city-wide aquatic habitat restoration actions. We utilized a spatially-explicit ecosystem model to evaluate impacts of past and future restoration under current and future conditions, including the impacts of increased stream temperature under climate change alongside project maturation over time. Our results highlight areas of these urban streams that would be most important to protect or restore for these fish species and identify the largest impacts on these urban stream populations in the present and future. In addition to evaluating future in-stream restoration priorities, the city is incorporating the results into its Stormwater System Plan that evaluates stormwater infrastructure needs to align built and natural green infrastructure investments to also benefit salmonids and watersheds.
