Riparian Vegetation Mapping in the Grande Ronde Watershed, Oregon: Monitoring and Validation of Spring Chinook Habitat Recovery and Population Viability
Abstract
The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) seeks to develop a spatially-based system for modeling abundance, productivity, and growth rate for spring Chinook salmon in the upper Grande Ronde watershed in northeastern Oregon. This watershed has experienced various levels of anthropogenic disturbance, which has compromised the quality of Chinook spawning and rearing habitat. To assess the extent to which current conditions are affecting fish population dynamics, a model of watershed health will be developed based on water temperature, fine sediment (surface and depth), stream flow, and riparian condition. CRITFC is particularly interested in determining the potential to restore the water temperature regime in the watershed, which will require developing a water temperature model. Maps of the current vegetation and potential natural vegetation (PNV) communities are critical to supporting this model.
Authors
Citation
Wells, A.F., E. Crowe, and R. Blaha. 2015. Riparian vegetation mapping in the Grande Ronde watershed, Oregon: monitoring and validation of spring Chinook habitat recovery and population viability. ABR, Inc.-Environmental Research & Services, Anchorage, AK. 183 pp.