decline, and numerous populations are now listed under ESA. Landscape change, water 
pollution, introduced predators, fishing, hydro power development, disadvantageous ocean 
conditions, and other factors have led to the extinction or decline of many stocks (Bauer and 
Ralph 1999, CENR 2000). Research will be developed to allow for comparisons of factors 
influencing native fish assemblages in the two regions. 
Upland and Riparian Effects on In-stream and Coastal Wetland Condition 
In the Pacific Northwest, these efforts will be based on an integrated modeling/field study 
approach. An existing model developed by NMFS (1992) simulates coho salmon population 
dynamics based on in-stream habitat condition. For this model, in-stream habitat condition was 
determined through simple stream reach classification that does not reflect watershed land 
use/land cover conditions. If, however, we are to be able to examine how upland management 
affects fish dynamics, then it is necessary to understand how in-stream habitat condition is 
influenced by the surrounding uplands and riparian areas. Shading by riparian trees, woody 
debris supply, non-point source introduction of sediments and nutrients, and landslides are all 
examples of important upland processes that can affect in-stream habitat condition and which 
could be influenced by upland management actions. Such information also allows us to predict 
habitat condition, based on upland characteristics, at locations which have not been sampled. 
Besides affecting habitat condition, upland factors can also influence fish mobility. For example, 
warm water temperatures or landslides could reduce or completely prevent fish movement 
between stream reaches. Another important upland/riparian issue associated with the restoration 
of Pacific salmon is the possible need for nutrient additions (i.e., raw or processed salmon 
carcasses, and commercially produced organic or inorganic fertilizers) to headwaters (e.g., 
watersheds, lakes, or streams) to compensate for the loss of marine derived nutrients previously 
supplied by healthy salmon populations. Determining the ecological effects of surrounding 
upland areas on in-stream condition is therefore a critical component of our research. 
Technical approaches to examining upland effects on in-stream condition could include field 
studies, empirical modeling, and process modeling. Empirical modeling approaches would 
develop correlations between upland independent variables and in-stream response variables. 
Upland variables could be derived from GIS DATANET, and could be used to represent the 
watershed as a whole or the riparian zone in particular. Data for explanatory and response 
variables could be obtained through field sampling, other research projects (e.g.. Environmental 
Monitoring and Assessment Program, EMAP) or agencies, or through the literature. Process 
models would relate upland factors to in-stream condition based on specific processes. Examples 
include a model that predicts in-stream suspended sediment concentraticm based on soil 
characteristics, slope, upstream load, or a physical model that calculates water temperature based 
on shading by trees. Other modeling approaches are also available. We envision linking such 
models with a salmon population model to be able to examine the influence of land use changes 
on salmon and fish populations. 
In the Great Lakes, initial efforts to understand landscape influences on coastal wetland habitat 
condition and native fishes will be based on field studies designed to help build quantitative 
empirical models that can eventually be used to construct more process-oriented models. The 
current knowledge base related to watershed fragmentation effects in Great Lakes coastal 
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