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Trophic implications of a phenological paradigm shift: Bald eagles and salmon in a changing climate

Journal of Applied Ecology
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13286

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Abstract

  1. Climate change influences apex predators in complex ways, due to their important trophic position, capacity for resource plasticity, and sensitivity to numerous anthropogenic stressors. Bald eagles, an ecologically and culturally significant apex predator, congregate seasonally in high densities on salmon spawning rivers across the Pacific Northwest. One of the largest eagle concentrations is in the Skagit River watershed, which connects the montane wilderness of North Cascades National Park to the Puget Sound.
  2. Using multiple long‐term datasets, we evaluated local bald eagle abundance in relation to chum and coho salmon availability; salmon phenology; and the number and timing of flood events in the Skagit. We analysed changes over time as a reflection of climate change impacts, as well as differences between managed and unmanaged portions of the river.
  3. We found that peaks in chum salmon and bald eagle presence have advanced at remarkably similar rates (c. 0.45 days/year), suggesting synchronous phenological responses within this trophic relationship.
  4. Yet the temporal relationship between chum salmon spawning and flood events, which remove salmon carcasses from the system, has not remained constant. This has resulted in a paradigm shift whereby the peak of chum spawning now occurs before the first flood event of the season rather than after.
  5. The interval between peak chum and first flood event was a significant predictor of bald eagle presence: as this interval grew over time (by nearly one day per year), bald eagle counts declined, with a steady decrease in bald eagle observations since 2002. River section was also an important factor, with fewer flood events, and more eagle observations occurring in the river section experiencing direct hydroelectric flow management.
  6. Synthesis and applications. The effects of climate change and hydroelectric management contribute to a complex human footprint in the North Cascades National Park, an otherwise largely natural ecosystem. By accounting for the differential phenological impacts of climate change on bald eagles, salmon, and flood events, Park managers and the operators of the hydroelectric system can more effectively ensure the resilience of the eagle–salmon relationship along the Skagit River.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Trophic implications of a phenological paradigm shift: Bald eagles and salmon in a changing climate
Series title Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI 10.1111/1365-2664.13286
Volume 56
Issue 3
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher British Ecological Society
Contributing office(s) National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center, National Climate Adaptation Science Center
Description 10 p.
First page 769
Last page 778
Country United States
State Washington
Other Geospatial Skagit River
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