Chris Frissell | University of Montana (original) (raw)

Papers by Chris Frissell

Research paper thumbnail of Aquatic ecosystems of the redwood region

Research paper thumbnail of Stream and Watershed Restoration

Research paper thumbnail of Canada's mines pose transboundary risks

Research paper thumbnail of Risks of mining to salmonid-bearing watersheds

Science Advances

Mining provides resources for people but can pose risks to ecosystems that support cultural keyst... more Mining provides resources for people but can pose risks to ecosystems that support cultural keystone species. Our synthesis reviews relevant aspects of mining operations, describes the ecology of salmonid-bearing watersheds in northwestern North America, and compiles the impacts of metal and coal extraction on salmonids and their habitat. We conservatively estimate that this region encompasses nearly 4000 past producing mines, with present-day operations ranging from small placer sites to massive open-pit projects that annually mine more than 118 million metric tons of earth. Despite impact assessments that are intended to evaluate risk and inform mitigation, mines continue to harm salmonid-bearing watersheds via pathways such as toxic contaminants, stream channel burial, and flow regime alteration. To better maintain watershed processes that benefit salmonids, we highlight key windows during the mining governance life cycle for science to guide policy by more accurately accounting ...

Research paper thumbnail of Review Building on Two Decades of Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation under the Northwest Forest Plan, USA

The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) shifted federal lands management from a focus on timber pro... more The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) shifted federal lands management from a focus on timber production to ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. The plan established a network of conservation reserves and an ecosystem management strategy on ~10 million hectares from northern California to Washington State, USA, within the range of the federally threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Several subsequent assessments-and 20 years of data from monitoring

Research paper thumbnail of Review of Simpson Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan

This report critiques a proposed decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Nat... more This report critiques a proposed decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ("the Services") pertaining to the logging-related activities of Simpson Resource Company on 416,531 acres in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California. The product of this decision is an agreement between the Services and Simpson that protects the company from prosecution under the Endangered Species Act for the next 50 years. The plan covers eight salmonid fishes. The Southern Oregon/Northern California coho salmon, the California Coastal chinook, and the Northern California steelhead are all currently listed. The other covered fish are two other populations of chinook and one of steelhead and coastal cutthroat and rainbow trout. Two unlisted amphibians also are covered-the southern torrent salamander and the tailed frog. The NMFS is charged with conservation of the ocean-going species and the FWS with conservation of all others. In this decision, NMFS grants an "Incidental Take Permit" to Simpson allowing impacts to anadromous salmonid species pursuant to the terms of a "Habitat Conservation Plan." The FWS similarly grants an "Enhancement of Survival Permit" for the resident trout and amphibians pursuant to a "Candidate Conservation Agreement." The operative documents examined in this review are the two-volume Habitat Conservation Plan and Candidate Conservation Agreement and Appendices ("the Plan"), the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), and the Implementation Agreement (IA). For simplicity, we will generally refer to the whole package as "the Plan" or the "AHCP." By law, the Services' approval of the Plan must be based on a determination that Simpson's activities will not jeopardize the continued existence of covered species, among other decision criteria. ESA, 16 U.S.C. § 1539(a)(1)(B) and (2). For the unlisted species, the proposed actions must reduce the likelihood that these species will need to be listed in the future. 64 FR 32713; 50 CFR Part 17 (regulations governing CCAs); 64 FR 32726 (final policy for CCAs) (stating intent is to preclude or remove the need to list species). The core operative provisions of the plan are contained in 49 pages appearing at Section 6.2 in Volume 1 of the HCP document, and in such appendices as are referenced in that section. A. Reviewer Goals This review was conducted at the request of Pacific Rivers Council, whose overall goal is to ensure that the affected aquatic species receive the full level of protection to which they are

Research paper thumbnail of The Geography of Freshwater Habitat Conservation: Roadless Areas and Critical Watersheds for Native Trout

Management (BLM) lands have been the subject of sustained controversy and legal and policy machin... more Management (BLM) lands have been the subject of sustained controversy and legal and policy machinations. The importance of presently unprotected road less areas for conservation has received mention, but little formal analysis. Research from the northern Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. helps put road less lands in conservation perspective. We examine how road less lands spatially integrate with watersheds of known high conservation value for freshwater species and habitats. Roadless areas can be small and fragmented, but can accrue to a large fraction of critical landscape. In the Upper Missouri Basin in Montana, within the 37 % of the landscape with watersheds classified as highest value for freshwater conservation, almost one-half occurs within unprotected federal roadless areas; just 7 % is inside wilderness and parks. In western Montana, bull trout Salvelinus confluentus abundance increases with watershed roadless proportion. Roadless lands tend to occupy middle to lower eleva...

Research paper thumbnail of Working Together to Ensure the Future of Wild Trout ____________________________________________________________1 The Geography of Freshwater Habitat Conservation: Roadless Areas and Critical Watersheds for Native Trout

— Inventoried roadless areas on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have be... more — Inventoried roadless areas on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have been the subject of sustained controversy and legal and policy machinations. The importance of presently unprotected roadless areas for conservation has received mention, but little formal analysis. Research from the northern Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. helps put roadless lands in conservation perspective. We examine how roadless lands spatially integrate with watersheds of known high conservation value for freshwater species and habitats. Roadless areas can be small and fragmented, but can accrue to a large fraction of critical landscape. In the Upper Missouri Basin in Montana, within the 37 % of the landscape with watersheds classified as highest value for freshwater conservation, almost one-half occurs within unprotected federal roadless areas; just 7 % is inside wilderness and parks. In western Montana, bull trout Salvelinus confluentus abundance increases with watershed roadless...

Research paper thumbnail of SOCIAL – ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS IN MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES A social – ecological perspective for riverscape management in the Columbia River Basin

Riverscapes are complex, landscapescale mosaics of connected river and stream habitats embedded i... more Riverscapes are complex, landscapescale mosaics of connected river and stream habitats embedded in diverse ecological and socioeconomic settings. Social–ecological interactions among stakeholders often complicate naturalresource conservation and management of riverscapes. The management challenges posed by the conservation and restoration of wild salmonid populations in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) of western North America are one such example. Because of their ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic importance, salmonids present a complex management landscape due to interacting environmental factors (eg climate change, invasive species) as well as socioeconomic and political factors (eg dams, hatcheries, landuse change, transboundary agreements). Many of the problems in the CRB can be linked to social–ecological interactions occurring within integrated ecological, human–social, and regional–climatic spheres. Future management and conservation of salmonid populations therefore dep...

Research paper thumbnail of The Geography of Freshwater Habitat Conservation: Roadless Areas and Critical Watersheds for Native Trout

Inventoried roadless areas on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have been... more Inventoried roadless areas on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have been the subject of sustained controversy and legal and policy machinations. The importance of presently unprotected roadless areas for conservation has received mention, but little formal analysis. Research from the northern Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. helps put roadless lands in conservation perspective. We examine how roadless lands spatially integrate with watersheds of known high conservation value for freshwater species and habitats. Roadless areas can be small and fragmented, but can accrue to a large fraction of critical landscape. In the Upper Missouri Basin in Montana, within the 37% of the landscape with watersheds classified as highest value for freshwater conservation, almost one-half occurs within unprotected federal roadless areas; just 7% is inside wilderness and parks. In western Montana, bull trout Salvelinus confluentus abundance increases with watershed roadless pro...

Research paper thumbnail of A social-ecological perspective for riverscape management in the Columbia River Basin

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Riverscapes are complex, landscape-scale mosaics of connected river and stream habitats embedded ... more Riverscapes are complex, landscape-scale mosaics of connected river and stream habitats embedded in diverse ecological and socioeconomic settings. Social-ecological interactions among stakeholders often complicate natural-resource conservation and management of riverscapes. The management challenges posed by the conservation and restoration of wild salmonid populations in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) of western North America are one such example. Because of their ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic importance, salmonids present a complex management landscape due to interacting environmental factors (eg climate change, invasive species) as well as socioeconomic and political factors (eg dams, hatcheries, land-use change, transboundary agreements). Many of the problems in the CRB can be linked to social-ecological interactions occurring within integrated ecological, human-social, and regional-climatic spheres. Future management and conservation of salmonid populations therefore depends on how well the issues are understood and whether they can be resolved through effective communication and collaboration among ecologists, social scientists, stakeholders, and policy makers. Front Ecol Environ 2018; 16(S1):

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges in Columbia River fisheries conservation: a response to Duda et al

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Research paper thumbnail of Correction: DellaSala, D.A., et al. Building on Two Decades of Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation under the Northwest Forest Plan, USA. Forests, 2015, 6, 3326

Research paper thumbnail of Building on Two Decades of Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation under the Northwest Forest Plan, USA

Forests, 2015

The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) shifted federal lands management from a focus on timber pro... more The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) shifted federal lands management from a focus on timber production to ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. The plan established a network of conservation reserves and an ecosystem management strategy on ~10 million hectares from northern California to Washington State, USA, within the range of the federally threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Several subsequent assessments-and 20 years of data from monitoring

Research paper thumbnail of Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems on Sierra Nevada National Forests: Policy Analysis and Recommendations for the Future

The goal of this report is to inform conservation advocates in the Sierra Nevada and Forest Servi... more The goal of this report is to inform conservation advocates in the Sierra Nevada and Forest Service regional and forest-level planning teams, and to help set a sound scientific and policy agenda for aquatic conservation during future forest plan revisions. The first section of the report reviews the status of and threats to aquatic and water-related resources of the national forests of the Sierra Nevada. It includes assessment of the importance of those forests for region-wide conservation of aquatic biological resources and ecosystem services, including those underlying water quality and quantity. The second section is a policy analysis of land management allocations, standards and guidelines presently in effect. It provides a critical review of the elements of the current aquatic management strategy (AMS) on California’s national forests of the Sierra Nevada under the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) of 2004 and the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery ...

Research paper thumbnail of REVIEW OF SIMPSON RESOURCE COMPANY'S AQUATIC HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN AND CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT A Proposed Action of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service Under the Endangered Species Act

Research paper thumbnail of Alternative Views of a Restoration Framework for Federal Forests in the Pacific Northwest

Journal of Forestry, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Genetic variation and effective population size in isolated populations of coastal cutthroat trout

Conservation Genetics, 2010

Following glacial recession in southeast Alaska, waterfalls created by isostatic rebound have iso... more Following glacial recession in southeast Alaska, waterfalls created by isostatic rebound have isolated numerous replicate populations of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) in short coastal streams. These replicate isolated populations offer an unusual opportunity to examine factors associated with the maintenance of genetic diversity. We used eight microsatellites to examine genetic variation within and differentiation among 12 population pairs sampled from above and below these natural migration barriers. Geological evidence indicated that the above-barrier populations have been isolated for 8,000-12,500 years. Genetic differentiation among below-barrier populations (F ST = 0.10, 95% C.I. 0.08-0.12) was similar to a previous study of more southern populations of this species. Above-barrier populations were highly differentiated from adjacent below-barrier populations (mean pairwise F ST = 0.28; SD 0.18) and multiple lines of evidence were consistent with asymmetric downstream gene flow that varied among streams. Each above-barrier population had reduced within-population genetic variation when compared to the adjacent belowbarrier population. Within-population genetic diversity was significantly correlated with the amount of available habitat in above-barrier sites. Increased genetic differentiation of above-barrier populations with lower genetic diversity suggests that genetic drift has been the primary cause of genetic divergence. Long-term estimates of N e based on loss of heterozygosity over the time since isolation were large (3,170; range 1,077-7,606) and established an upper limit for N e if drift were the only evolutionary process responsible for loss of genetic diversity. However, it is likely that a combination of mutation, selection, and gene flow have also contributed to the genetic diversity of above-barrier populations. Contemporary above-barrier N e estimates were much smaller than long-term N e estimates, not correlated with withinpopulation genetic diversity, and not consistent with the amount of genetic variation retained, given the approximate 10,000-year period of isolation. The populations isolated by waterfalls in this study that occur in larger stream networks have retained substantial genetic variation, which suggests that the amount of habitat in headwater streams is an important consideration for maintaining the evolutionary potential of isolated populations.

Research paper thumbnail of Wildfire And Salvage Logging: Recommendations for Ecologically Sound Post-Fire Salvage Management and Other Post-Fire Treatments On Federal …

Oregon State University, …, 1995

This paper offers a scientific framework of principles and practices that are provided to guide d... more This paper offers a scientific framework of principles and practices that are provided to guide development of federal policy concerning wildfire and salvage logging and other post-fire treatments. A common thread throughout the recommendations is that most native species are adapted to natural patterns and processes of disturbance and recovery in the landscape and that preventing additional human disturbance (and reducing the effects of past disturbance) generally will provide the best pathway to regional ecological recovery. We assume that maintenance of viable populations of native species across their native ranges and the protection of critical ecosystem functions and services are desired objectives of federal land management, as stated in relevant legislation.

Research paper thumbnail of Aquatic ecosystems of the redwood region

Research paper thumbnail of Stream and Watershed Restoration

Research paper thumbnail of Canada's mines pose transboundary risks

Research paper thumbnail of Risks of mining to salmonid-bearing watersheds

Science Advances

Mining provides resources for people but can pose risks to ecosystems that support cultural keyst... more Mining provides resources for people but can pose risks to ecosystems that support cultural keystone species. Our synthesis reviews relevant aspects of mining operations, describes the ecology of salmonid-bearing watersheds in northwestern North America, and compiles the impacts of metal and coal extraction on salmonids and their habitat. We conservatively estimate that this region encompasses nearly 4000 past producing mines, with present-day operations ranging from small placer sites to massive open-pit projects that annually mine more than 118 million metric tons of earth. Despite impact assessments that are intended to evaluate risk and inform mitigation, mines continue to harm salmonid-bearing watersheds via pathways such as toxic contaminants, stream channel burial, and flow regime alteration. To better maintain watershed processes that benefit salmonids, we highlight key windows during the mining governance life cycle for science to guide policy by more accurately accounting ...

Research paper thumbnail of Review Building on Two Decades of Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation under the Northwest Forest Plan, USA

The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) shifted federal lands management from a focus on timber pro... more The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) shifted federal lands management from a focus on timber production to ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. The plan established a network of conservation reserves and an ecosystem management strategy on ~10 million hectares from northern California to Washington State, USA, within the range of the federally threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Several subsequent assessments-and 20 years of data from monitoring

Research paper thumbnail of Review of Simpson Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan

This report critiques a proposed decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Nat... more This report critiques a proposed decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ("the Services") pertaining to the logging-related activities of Simpson Resource Company on 416,531 acres in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California. The product of this decision is an agreement between the Services and Simpson that protects the company from prosecution under the Endangered Species Act for the next 50 years. The plan covers eight salmonid fishes. The Southern Oregon/Northern California coho salmon, the California Coastal chinook, and the Northern California steelhead are all currently listed. The other covered fish are two other populations of chinook and one of steelhead and coastal cutthroat and rainbow trout. Two unlisted amphibians also are covered-the southern torrent salamander and the tailed frog. The NMFS is charged with conservation of the ocean-going species and the FWS with conservation of all others. In this decision, NMFS grants an "Incidental Take Permit" to Simpson allowing impacts to anadromous salmonid species pursuant to the terms of a "Habitat Conservation Plan." The FWS similarly grants an "Enhancement of Survival Permit" for the resident trout and amphibians pursuant to a "Candidate Conservation Agreement." The operative documents examined in this review are the two-volume Habitat Conservation Plan and Candidate Conservation Agreement and Appendices ("the Plan"), the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), and the Implementation Agreement (IA). For simplicity, we will generally refer to the whole package as "the Plan" or the "AHCP." By law, the Services' approval of the Plan must be based on a determination that Simpson's activities will not jeopardize the continued existence of covered species, among other decision criteria. ESA, 16 U.S.C. § 1539(a)(1)(B) and (2). For the unlisted species, the proposed actions must reduce the likelihood that these species will need to be listed in the future. 64 FR 32713; 50 CFR Part 17 (regulations governing CCAs); 64 FR 32726 (final policy for CCAs) (stating intent is to preclude or remove the need to list species). The core operative provisions of the plan are contained in 49 pages appearing at Section 6.2 in Volume 1 of the HCP document, and in such appendices as are referenced in that section. A. Reviewer Goals This review was conducted at the request of Pacific Rivers Council, whose overall goal is to ensure that the affected aquatic species receive the full level of protection to which they are

Research paper thumbnail of The Geography of Freshwater Habitat Conservation: Roadless Areas and Critical Watersheds for Native Trout

Management (BLM) lands have been the subject of sustained controversy and legal and policy machin... more Management (BLM) lands have been the subject of sustained controversy and legal and policy machinations. The importance of presently unprotected road less areas for conservation has received mention, but little formal analysis. Research from the northern Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. helps put road less lands in conservation perspective. We examine how road less lands spatially integrate with watersheds of known high conservation value for freshwater species and habitats. Roadless areas can be small and fragmented, but can accrue to a large fraction of critical landscape. In the Upper Missouri Basin in Montana, within the 37 % of the landscape with watersheds classified as highest value for freshwater conservation, almost one-half occurs within unprotected federal roadless areas; just 7 % is inside wilderness and parks. In western Montana, bull trout Salvelinus confluentus abundance increases with watershed roadless proportion. Roadless lands tend to occupy middle to lower eleva...

Research paper thumbnail of Working Together to Ensure the Future of Wild Trout ____________________________________________________________1 The Geography of Freshwater Habitat Conservation: Roadless Areas and Critical Watersheds for Native Trout

— Inventoried roadless areas on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have be... more — Inventoried roadless areas on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have been the subject of sustained controversy and legal and policy machinations. The importance of presently unprotected roadless areas for conservation has received mention, but little formal analysis. Research from the northern Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. helps put roadless lands in conservation perspective. We examine how roadless lands spatially integrate with watersheds of known high conservation value for freshwater species and habitats. Roadless areas can be small and fragmented, but can accrue to a large fraction of critical landscape. In the Upper Missouri Basin in Montana, within the 37 % of the landscape with watersheds classified as highest value for freshwater conservation, almost one-half occurs within unprotected federal roadless areas; just 7 % is inside wilderness and parks. In western Montana, bull trout Salvelinus confluentus abundance increases with watershed roadless...

Research paper thumbnail of SOCIAL – ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS IN MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES A social – ecological perspective for riverscape management in the Columbia River Basin

Riverscapes are complex, landscapescale mosaics of connected river and stream habitats embedded i... more Riverscapes are complex, landscapescale mosaics of connected river and stream habitats embedded in diverse ecological and socioeconomic settings. Social–ecological interactions among stakeholders often complicate naturalresource conservation and management of riverscapes. The management challenges posed by the conservation and restoration of wild salmonid populations in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) of western North America are one such example. Because of their ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic importance, salmonids present a complex management landscape due to interacting environmental factors (eg climate change, invasive species) as well as socioeconomic and political factors (eg dams, hatcheries, landuse change, transboundary agreements). Many of the problems in the CRB can be linked to social–ecological interactions occurring within integrated ecological, human–social, and regional–climatic spheres. Future management and conservation of salmonid populations therefore dep...

Research paper thumbnail of The Geography of Freshwater Habitat Conservation: Roadless Areas and Critical Watersheds for Native Trout

Inventoried roadless areas on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have been... more Inventoried roadless areas on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have been the subject of sustained controversy and legal and policy machinations. The importance of presently unprotected roadless areas for conservation has received mention, but little formal analysis. Research from the northern Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. helps put roadless lands in conservation perspective. We examine how roadless lands spatially integrate with watersheds of known high conservation value for freshwater species and habitats. Roadless areas can be small and fragmented, but can accrue to a large fraction of critical landscape. In the Upper Missouri Basin in Montana, within the 37% of the landscape with watersheds classified as highest value for freshwater conservation, almost one-half occurs within unprotected federal roadless areas; just 7% is inside wilderness and parks. In western Montana, bull trout Salvelinus confluentus abundance increases with watershed roadless pro...

Research paper thumbnail of A social-ecological perspective for riverscape management in the Columbia River Basin

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Riverscapes are complex, landscape-scale mosaics of connected river and stream habitats embedded ... more Riverscapes are complex, landscape-scale mosaics of connected river and stream habitats embedded in diverse ecological and socioeconomic settings. Social-ecological interactions among stakeholders often complicate natural-resource conservation and management of riverscapes. The management challenges posed by the conservation and restoration of wild salmonid populations in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) of western North America are one such example. Because of their ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic importance, salmonids present a complex management landscape due to interacting environmental factors (eg climate change, invasive species) as well as socioeconomic and political factors (eg dams, hatcheries, land-use change, transboundary agreements). Many of the problems in the CRB can be linked to social-ecological interactions occurring within integrated ecological, human-social, and regional-climatic spheres. Future management and conservation of salmonid populations therefore depends on how well the issues are understood and whether they can be resolved through effective communication and collaboration among ecologists, social scientists, stakeholders, and policy makers. Front Ecol Environ 2018; 16(S1):

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges in Columbia River fisheries conservation: a response to Duda et al

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Research paper thumbnail of Correction: DellaSala, D.A., et al. Building on Two Decades of Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation under the Northwest Forest Plan, USA. Forests, 2015, 6, 3326

Research paper thumbnail of Building on Two Decades of Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation under the Northwest Forest Plan, USA

Forests, 2015

The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) shifted federal lands management from a focus on timber pro... more The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) shifted federal lands management from a focus on timber production to ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. The plan established a network of conservation reserves and an ecosystem management strategy on ~10 million hectares from northern California to Washington State, USA, within the range of the federally threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Several subsequent assessments-and 20 years of data from monitoring

Research paper thumbnail of Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems on Sierra Nevada National Forests: Policy Analysis and Recommendations for the Future

The goal of this report is to inform conservation advocates in the Sierra Nevada and Forest Servi... more The goal of this report is to inform conservation advocates in the Sierra Nevada and Forest Service regional and forest-level planning teams, and to help set a sound scientific and policy agenda for aquatic conservation during future forest plan revisions. The first section of the report reviews the status of and threats to aquatic and water-related resources of the national forests of the Sierra Nevada. It includes assessment of the importance of those forests for region-wide conservation of aquatic biological resources and ecosystem services, including those underlying water quality and quantity. The second section is a policy analysis of land management allocations, standards and guidelines presently in effect. It provides a critical review of the elements of the current aquatic management strategy (AMS) on California’s national forests of the Sierra Nevada under the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) of 2004 and the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery ...

Research paper thumbnail of REVIEW OF SIMPSON RESOURCE COMPANY'S AQUATIC HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN AND CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT A Proposed Action of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service Under the Endangered Species Act

Research paper thumbnail of Alternative Views of a Restoration Framework for Federal Forests in the Pacific Northwest

Journal of Forestry, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Genetic variation and effective population size in isolated populations of coastal cutthroat trout

Conservation Genetics, 2010

Following glacial recession in southeast Alaska, waterfalls created by isostatic rebound have iso... more Following glacial recession in southeast Alaska, waterfalls created by isostatic rebound have isolated numerous replicate populations of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) in short coastal streams. These replicate isolated populations offer an unusual opportunity to examine factors associated with the maintenance of genetic diversity. We used eight microsatellites to examine genetic variation within and differentiation among 12 population pairs sampled from above and below these natural migration barriers. Geological evidence indicated that the above-barrier populations have been isolated for 8,000-12,500 years. Genetic differentiation among below-barrier populations (F ST = 0.10, 95% C.I. 0.08-0.12) was similar to a previous study of more southern populations of this species. Above-barrier populations were highly differentiated from adjacent below-barrier populations (mean pairwise F ST = 0.28; SD 0.18) and multiple lines of evidence were consistent with asymmetric downstream gene flow that varied among streams. Each above-barrier population had reduced within-population genetic variation when compared to the adjacent belowbarrier population. Within-population genetic diversity was significantly correlated with the amount of available habitat in above-barrier sites. Increased genetic differentiation of above-barrier populations with lower genetic diversity suggests that genetic drift has been the primary cause of genetic divergence. Long-term estimates of N e based on loss of heterozygosity over the time since isolation were large (3,170; range 1,077-7,606) and established an upper limit for N e if drift were the only evolutionary process responsible for loss of genetic diversity. However, it is likely that a combination of mutation, selection, and gene flow have also contributed to the genetic diversity of above-barrier populations. Contemporary above-barrier N e estimates were much smaller than long-term N e estimates, not correlated with withinpopulation genetic diversity, and not consistent with the amount of genetic variation retained, given the approximate 10,000-year period of isolation. The populations isolated by waterfalls in this study that occur in larger stream networks have retained substantial genetic variation, which suggests that the amount of habitat in headwater streams is an important consideration for maintaining the evolutionary potential of isolated populations.

Research paper thumbnail of Wildfire And Salvage Logging: Recommendations for Ecologically Sound Post-Fire Salvage Management and Other Post-Fire Treatments On Federal …

Oregon State University, …, 1995

This paper offers a scientific framework of principles and practices that are provided to guide d... more This paper offers a scientific framework of principles and practices that are provided to guide development of federal policy concerning wildfire and salvage logging and other post-fire treatments. A common thread throughout the recommendations is that most native species are adapted to natural patterns and processes of disturbance and recovery in the landscape and that preventing additional human disturbance (and reducing the effects of past disturbance) generally will provide the best pathway to regional ecological recovery. We assume that maintenance of viable populations of native species across their native ranges and the protection of critical ecosystem functions and services are desired objectives of federal land management, as stated in relevant legislation.