Climate change influences the footprint of anthropogenic habitat alteration: Implications for endangered species and regulatory reviews of riverbank stabilization projects (original) (raw)

Abstract

Background/Question/Methods Our improved ability to model climate allows us to better estimate how climate change will alter freshwater habitat quality and availability. However, significant challenges remain, particularly in combining the effects of climate change and human habitat alteration. We examined these impacts on shallow water beach habitat (SWH) in the lower Willamette River, Oregon (U.S.A.). A proposed project to stabilize ~450 m (1500 ft) of shoreline with riprap would alter SWH and is subject to Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation. The lower river has been highly altered by urban and industrial development. Mainstem beach SWH is important to subyearling ESA-listed Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and the amount of SWH fluctuates with river stage levels. Historically, the lower river was connected to its floodplain and river stages in the spring often significantly exceeded modern flood stages, providing additional but no...

Michelle McClure hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Michelle know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.