HR: 1330h
AN: B33E-22 [Abstracts]
TI: Linking Forests and Fish: The Relationship Between Productivities of Salmonids and Forest Stands in Northern California
AU: * Wilzbach, P
EM: paw7002@humboldt.edu
AF: USGS California Cooperative Fish Research Unit, Humboldt State University
1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA 95521 United States
AU: Frazey, S
AF: USGS California Cooperative Fish Research Unit, Humboldt State University
1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA 95521 United States
AB:
Productivities of resident salmonid populations, upland, and riparian areas in 25 small watersheds of coastal northern
California were estimated and compared to determine if: 1) upland site productivity predicted riparian site productivity; 2)
either upland or riparian site productivity predicted salmonid productivity; and 3) other parameters explained more of the
variance in salmonid productivity than upland or riparian site productivity. Salmonid productivity was indexed by total
salmonid biomass, length of age 1 fish, and percent habitat saturation. Upland and riparian site productivities were
estimated using site indices for redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and red alder (Alnus rubra), respectively. Upland and
riparian site indices were correlated, but neither factor contributed to the best approximating models of salmonid biomass or fish length at age one. Salmonid biomass was best described by a positive relationship with drainage area, and length at
age was best described by a positive relationship with percent of riparian hardwoods. Percent habitat saturation was not
well described by any of the models constructed. Lack of a relationship between upland conifer and salmonid productivity
suggests that management of land for timber productivity and component streams for salmonid production in these sites will
require separate, albeit integrated, strategies.
DE: 1878 Water/energy interactions
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly