Salmon Spawning Levels and Ecosystem Connections

Over the last two decades information has accumulated about the value spawning salmon provide to the terrestrial/freshwater ecosystem.  Despite this, management of anadromous salmonids continues to be driven by single species concerns and single species values. The recent reintroduction of wolves into the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has resulted in an ecological cascade of change; some “positive” and some “negative”.  The goal of this symposium will be to present the current understanding of the effect that large numbers of spawning salmon have on the terrestrial and associated freshwater ecosystems.  The symposium will also present recent analyses of the effect that large salmon escapement biomass has on the production of other salmonids.  Finally, salmon managers will detail their agency response to the presented information. The Organizers will develop and submit a summary paper to Fisheries.  The Symposium should be beneficial to a broad sweep of Fisheries Professionals from the front-line fishery manager to researchers and professionals with other “priorities” such as timber and wildlife managers.  The cross-species emphasis and consideration of ecosystem cascade possibilities should stimulate discussion and thought among attendees. Each presenter, oral and poster, will be asked to provide up to five key references on their topic.  These will be collated into a master list and made available to attendees.