156 - How Salmon Shape Ecosystems–Impacts from Forestry w/ Dr. Jonathan Moore and Christian Carson

Welcome to the YourForest Podcast, where host Matthew Kristoff explores the vital connections between environmental science, sustainability, and the role of forests.

In this episode, Matthew is joined by Dr. Jonathan Moore, head of the Salmon Watersheds Lab at Simon Fraser University, and his graduate student, Christian Carson, to discuss the intricate relationship between forestry, fish, and watersheds.

They delve into the impacts of forest management on salmon habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem health, highlighting the balance required to preserve natural resources and cultural traditions.

🌟 Key Takeaways 🌟

-- Salmon as a Keystone Species: Dr. Jonathan Moore highlights salmon's vital ecological, cultural, and economic roles in North America, sustaining ecosystems, wildlife, and communities.

-- Forestry Impacts on Watersheds: Christian Carson explains how forestry practices, like clear-cutting and riparian buffer removal, disrupt water temperature, sediment flow, and fish habitats.

-- Cumulative Effects: Both guests stress understanding cumulative impacts—forestry, fires, landslides—on watersheds to improve management practices.

-- Policy and Collaboration: Interdisciplinary solutions involving scientists, policymakers, and communities are essential to balance forestry, fish conservation, and human values.

💬 Quotes 💬

"Flies are buzzing on the carcasses. There are eagles, chittering. You might see bears, you might see mink. These systems are alive when the salmon are there, and when the salmon aren't, they're quiet." - Dr. Jonathan Moore

“How fast the water is flowing, how much of it's flowing and, where it's flowing, and that that kind of determines both the physical physiological and the distribution of fish.” - Christian Carson

Take away with Complete Timestamps:

[00:04:28] The Cultural and Ecological Importance of Salmon
[00:10:25] Salmon as Ecosystem Builders
[00:16:29] Collaborative Approach to Salmon Ecosystem Research
[00:18:28] The Evolution of Fish Research in Forestry
[00:20:08] Impact of Splash Dams on Fish Habitats
[00:23:11] Importance of Water Quality and Flow for Fish
[01:02:51] Making the Business Case for Salmon Conservation
[01:06:30] Exploring Cumulative Impacts of Forestry Practices
[01:08:42]  The Complex Impact of Removing Riparian Vegetation
[01:16:44] A Holistic Approach to Forest and Fish Management
[01:20:23] Emphasizing Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Ecosystem Management

Resources

◾ Dr. Jonathan Moore's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-moore-8a01ba90/
◾ Salmon Watersheds Lab Website - https://www.jonwmoore.org/
◾ Salmon Watersheds Lab Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/salmonwatershedsscience/
◾ Christian Carson's LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-c-29220ab8/
◾ Christian Carson's Website - https://clayoquot.org/


Related Articles, Studies, and Reports:

◾ Forestry impacts on stream flows and temperatures: A quantitative synthesis of paired catchment studies across the Pacific salmon range - https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2688-8319.12328
◾ Reflections on Forest Management: Can Fish and Fiber Coexist? - https://fisheries.org/bookstore/all-titles/afs-symposia/reflections-on-forest-management-can-fish-and-fiber-coexist/
◾ Fish and Forestry Interaction Studies throughout BC - .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}