title: Modeling population responses of Chinook and coho salmon to suspended sediment using a life history approach.
abstract: This study develops a quantitative framework for estimating the effects of extreme suspended-sediment events (SSC>25 mg L(-1)) on virtual populations of Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho (O. kisutch) salmon in a coastal watershed of British Columbia, Canada. We used a life history model coupled with a dose-response model to evaluate the populations' responses to a set of simulated suspended sediments scenarios. Our results indicate that a linear increase in SSC produces non-linear declining trajectories in both Chinook and coho populations, but this decline was more evident for Chinook salmon despite their shorter fresh-water residence. The model presented here can provide insights into SSC impacts on population responses of salmonids and potentially assist resource managers when planning conservation or remediation strategies.
authors.affiliation: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, British Columbia, 3190 Hammond bay Road, Canada V9T 6N7. Electronic address: Andres.Araujo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
authors.forename: H Andres
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.affiliation: School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A1S6. Electronic address: andrew_cooper@sfu.ca.
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Co-operative Resource Management Institute, Fisheries & Oceans Canada / Pêches et Océans Canada, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A1S6. Electronic address: Erland.MacIsaac@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
authors.forename: Erland A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: MacIsaac
authors.affiliation: School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A1S6. Electronic address: djk@sfu.ca.
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Knowler
authors.affiliation: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, British Columbia, 3190 Hammond bay Road, Canada V9T 6N7. Electronic address: Antonio.Velez-Espino@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Velez-Espino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001955:British Columbia; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D012098:Reproduction; D012474:Salmon / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Population dynamics; Salmonid population; Sedimentation events; Suspended sediment concentration; Watershed