| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The early Stuart run of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the Stuart-Takla watershed is at risk from impacts of logging. Much effort directed at removing wood from beetle infested areas in the Bowron district has been redirected to the Stuart-Takla area. There are serious implications for altering stream temperatures and potential for impactsfrom sedimentation of incubation habitats. These fish spawn in large numbers (escapements of 10,000 to 300,000) in the tributaries of Middle River at temperatures considered to be at the upper limit for sockeye salmon. The relationship among forest harvesting and silvicultural activities and the productive capacities of aquatic environments in the interior of British Columbia is poorly understood as little fish/forestry research has occurred there. This report describes a project that is focusing on the effects of forest practices on interior fish stocks and the carrying capacity of the habitat they occupy. We are collecting biological and physical measurements from four watersheds and adjacent portions of the Middle River in the Takla area. Our research, which began in 1990, investigates: streambed gravel composition and movement, and the physical environment of salmon eggs, distribution of large organic debris (LOD), predator-prey interactions, aquatic insect drift, and distribution, movement, growth, and habitat use by salmonids. Data loggers continuously monitor suspended sediments, incident radiation, stream discharges and stream and air temperatures. Adult and fry enumerations that have been made for a number of years on the creeks are continuing. These watersheds have received little human disturbance. The majority of the logging activities will commence in autumn 1994, permitting the collection of 3 years of prelogging data. Research results will be incorporated into guidelines for interior logging. The forest harvest guidelines generated from these and earlier studies will have application to logging throughout the interior of British Columbia and thus will assist in integration of fishery and forestry management. |
