title: Performance of salmon fishery portfolios across western North America.
abstract: Quantifying the variability in the delivery of ecosystem services across the landscape can be used to set appropriate management targets, evaluate resilience and target conservation efforts. Ecosystem functions and services may exhibit portfolio-type dynamics, whereby diversity within lower levels promotes stability at more aggregated levels. Portfolio theory provides a framework to characterize the relative performance among ecosystems and the processes that drive differences in performance. We assessed Pacific salmonOncorhynchusspp. portfolio performance across their native latitudinal range focusing on the reliability of salmon returns as a metric with which to assess the function of salmon ecosystems and their services to humans. We used the Sharpe ratio (e.g. the size of the total salmon return to the portfolio relative to its variability (risk)) to evaluate the performance of Chinook and sockeye salmon portfolios across the west coast of North America. We evaluated the effects on portfolio performance from the variance of and covariance among salmon returns within each portfolio, and the association between portfolio performance and watershed attributes. We found a positive latitudinal trend in the risk-adjusted performance of Chinook and sockeye salmon portfolios that also correlated negatively with anthropogenic impact on watersheds (e.g. dams and land-use change). High-latitude Chinook salmon portfolios were on average 2·5 times more reliable, and their portfolio risk was mainly due to low variance in the individual assets. Sockeye salmon portfolios were also more reliable at higher latitudes, but sources of risk varied among the highest performing portfolios.Synthesis and applications. Portfolio theory provides a straightforward method for characterizing the resilience of salmon ecosystems and their services. Natural variability in portfolio performance among undeveloped watersheds provides a benchmark for restoration efforts. Locally and regionally, assessing the sources of portfolio risk can guide actions to maintain existing resilience (protect habitat and disturbance regimes that maintain response diversity; employ harvest strategies sensitive to different portfolio components) or improve restoration activities. Improving our understanding of portfolio reliability may allow for management of natural resources that is robust to ongoing environmental change. Portfolio theory provides a straightforward method for characterizing the resilience of salmon ecosystems and their services. Natural variability in portfolio performance among undeveloped watersheds provides a benchmark for restoration efforts. Locally and regionally, assessing the sources of portfolio risk can guide actions to maintain existing resilience (protect habitat and disturbance regimes that maintain response diversity; employ harvest strategies sensitive to different portfolio components) or improve restoration activities. Improving our understanding of portfolio reliability may allow for management of natural resources that is robust to ongoing environmental change.
authors.affiliation: School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington Box 355020, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.affiliation: School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington Box 355020, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.affiliation: School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington Box 355020, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.affiliation: Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Scheuerell
authors.affiliation: Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana 32125 Bio Station Lane, Polson, MT, 59860-6815, USA.
authors.forename: Diane C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Whited
authors.affiliation: Alaska Department of Fish and Game 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK, 99518, USA.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington Box 355020, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hilborn
authors.affiliation: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pacific Biological Station, 3190 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6N7, Canada.
authors.forename: Carrie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.affiliation: Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 110 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
authors.forename: Steven T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lindley
authors.affiliation: Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana 32125 Bio Station Lane, Polson, MT, 59860-6815, USA.
authors.forename: Jack A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stanford
authors.affiliation: Alaska Department of Fish and Game 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK, 99518, USA.
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Volk
keywords: Sharpe ratio; diversity; ecosystem; geomorphology; management; portfolio effect; stability; watersheds