Salmon and Nutrients: A
seminar on science and policy
December 8, 2008,
2:00 pm–4:00pm
Simon Fraser University,
8888 University Dr., Burnaby,
Halpern Centre, Room 126
For more information, email
cs-science@sfu.ca or telephone
778-782-5466.
Hosted by:
Continuing Studies in
Science and the Centre for
Coastal Studies, Simon Fraser
University
Sponsored by:
A special seminar of the Speaking for the Salmon Series
Objectives:
1) Examine potential influences of salmon nutrients on their ecosystems
2) Identify the role of the Wild Salmon Policy in delivering sufficient marine-derived salmon
nutrients to freshwater and riparian ecosystems.
Every year, spawning Pacific salmon deliver large quantities of nutrients to freshwater
and riparian ecosystems. Current research has shown that the influence of these nutrient
subsidies on ecosystems is variable, making it difficult to quantify the value of salmon
nutrients to their ecosystems. One of the objectives of the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans’ Wild Salmon Policy is to include ecosystem values, such as marine-derived salmon
nutrient subsidies, in the management of Pacific salmon. However, DFO recognizes the
challenges in translating ecosystem values into management initiatives. The purpose of this
seminar and dialogue is to examine the current research on salmon nutrient contributions to
ecosystems and to use this information to advance implementation of Strategy 3: Inclusion
of Ecosystem Values and Monitoring, of the Wild Salmon Policy. There will be a keynote
presentation followed by comments from panelists and then open dialogue.
Keynote presentation: Salmon-derived nutrients and the dynamics of coastal
ecosystems: how good is the story?
Watching out for BC’s Wild Salmon
Watershed Watch Salmon
Society
Reservations:
This seminar is free and open
to the public but registration
is recommended as seating is
limited. Please email
cs-science@sfu.ca with your
name, affiliation and email
address to confirm your
reservation.
Daniel Schindler, Professor, Aquatic and Fisheries Science, University of Washington
Pacific salmon have become increasingly recognized as keystone species in freshwater
and riparian ecosystems. During the last two decades there has been an explosion
of research on salmon as critical sources of nutrients and organic energy to coastal
systems. Many of the highlights of this research have now become firmly entrenched
in the conventional wisdom of the roles of salmon in freshwater and riparian
ecosystems. Nevertheless, there have been few critical assessments of the generality of
these roles or how management should adapt to this growing body of science.
It is clear that anadromous salmon do represent unique subsidies of nutrients
and energy to coastal ecosystems and that they contribute to both local nutrient
cycles and to the prey base of food webs. However, we lack an understanding of
Cont inuin g S t u d i e s i n S ci en ce
www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science
how changes in salmon populations affect the dynamics of the ecosystems and
communities that salmon subsidize. While studies using stable isotope tracers and
small-scale experiments have assisted in unraveling the intricacies of ‘salmon’ effects
in subsidized ecosystems, they are often misinterpreted and have led to a false sense
of confidence in our understanding of the importance of salmon subsidies. To
properly protect Pacific salmon and the ecosystem services they provide we need
to re-focus our research efforts in this realm. In particular, we need to achieve better
integration between traditional fisheries biology and ‘salmon nutrient science’, and to
move beyond detecting the presence of salmon effects and towards understanding
their roles as regulators of the dynamics of subsidized ecosystems. We should expect
that ‘the story’ will change, but in doing so, we may improve its clarity making it more
useful to management and conservation.
Panelists:
Kim Hyatt, Research Scientist, Head Salmon in Regional Ecosystems Program, Fisheries
and Oceans Canada; Bruce Ward, Fisheries Scientist, BC Ministry of Environment; Rick
Routledge, Professor, Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Simon Fraser University; John
Reynolds, Tom Buell Leadership Chair in Salmon Conservation, Simon Fraser University.
Panel discussion (and focusing questions/issues):
1) Is variability in salmon nutrient contributions to ecosystems influenced by the following:
a. Geographic
b. Stream characteristics
c. Salmon species composition
d. Coastal versus interior systems
2) What is required for effective implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy’s Strategy 3:
Inclusion of Ecosystem Values and Monitoring?
3) Identify a list of potential indicators of ecosystem health.
Notes: