Prioritizing salmonid connectivity through the removal of barriers in a highly urbanized landscape

Systematic conservation planning tools allow us to use data on species distributions, habitat quality, and cost to and identify optimal areas to invest conservation and restoration resources. These tools can be particularly helpful in highly contested biodiverse landscapes where pressures from growing populations and economic development compete with conservation objectives. The Lower Fraser River represents an ideal location for the application of systematic conservation planning, it is home to Canadas third largest population centre, and acts as the conduit for 56 Federally managed conservation units of pacific salmon, 16 of which spawn directly in the Lower Fraser. In support of Raincoast Conservation Foundations Vision for Salmon in the Lower Fraser, we intend to map historical salmon habitat, and apply the Marxan spatial analysis tool to identify priority areas for restoration. Historical baselines can quantify this Vision and Marxan can help chart a path towards achieving it.

Faculty Supervisor:

Tara Martin

Student:

Riley Finn

Partner:

Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Discipline:

Forestry

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program: