Population viability of the Snake River chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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Abstract

In the presence of historical data, population viability models of intermediate complexity can be parameterized and utilized to project the consequences of various management actions for endangered species. A general stochastic population dynamics model with density feedback, age structure, and autocorrelated environmental fluctuations was constructed and parameterized for best fit over 36 years of spring chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) redd count data in five Idaho index streams. Simulations indicate that persistence of the Snake River spring chinook salmon population depends primarily on density-independent mortality. Improvement of rearing habitat, predator control, reduced fishing pressure, and improved dam passage all would alleviate density-independent mortality. The current value of the Ricker α should provide for a continuation of the status quo. A recovery of the population to 1957–1961 levels within 100 years would require an approximately 75% increase in survival and (or) fecundity. Manipulations of the Ricker β are likely to have little or no effect on persistence versus extinction, but considerable influence on population size.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Population viability of the Snake River chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Series title Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
DOI 10.1139/f95-139
Volume 52
Issue 7
Year Published 1995
Language English
Publisher NRC Research Press
Contributing office(s) Western Fisheries Research Center
Description 7 p.
First page 1442
Last page 1448
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