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• Basic Research
• Microbial Diversity
• Coastal Ecology
• Neuroscience

Coastal Ecology Research Program

Very early in the life of the Tula Foundation we created our Healthy Habitats program to preserve (or in many cases restore, then preserve) ecologically crucial habitats in the inlets and estuaries of the British Columbia central coast. Our initial policy of supporting land acquistion triggered an interest in land stewardship, which in turn led to an interest in scientific research, because there is no point trying to improve an ecosystem if you don’t understand its complex dynamics.

Certainly the most dramatic change in these ecosystems has been the disappearance of wild salmon from the spawning rivers that feed most central coast inlets. In turn the decline of salmon populations has had a devastating impact on the large carnivores that depend on salmon, including the human residents of the inlets. Our interest in developing a research program increased when we funded the purchase by the Nature Conservancy of Canada of habitat lands on the Wannock River estuary in Rivers Inlet (Figs. 1 & 2).

We contacted the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and through them met Dr. Rick Routledge of Simon Fraser University who had an ongoing research program in the inlet, and the Rivers and Smiths Salmon Ecosystem Protection Society (RSSEPS), which is a non-profit interest group including First Nations, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, sports fishing lodges, scientists and other interested parties. Through discussions with Dr. Routledge and other members of RSSEPS we developed our research program in coastal ecology, which initially focuses exclusively on Rivers Inlet.

Because of the critical importance of microbes in these ecosystems, we believe opportunities will naturally arise for synergy with our Microbial Diversity research program.

The Rivers Inlet Ecosystem Study

The primary objective of the research study is to develop an understanding of factors influencing the early life history of Rivers Inlet sockeye salmon, with special focus on spring plankton abundance in the inlet.

Rivers Inlet sockeye salmon are a keystone species in the ecology of this watershed, a focal point of the economy, sustenance, and culture of the Wuikinuvx (Owikeno) people, and formerly a major component of the British Columbia commercial fishery. Returns declined precipitously in the 1990’s (Fig. 3). Various theories have been proposed to explain the population collapse: overfishing, destruction of habitat by logging in the watershed, increased predation by seals, climate change, etc. In fact several factors may be at play. Obviously it is essential to study the ecosystem carefully and dispassionately and try to understand what has happened and whether anything can be done about it in the future.

The basic plot of the Wannock sockeye story is well known. Spawning sockeye return in late July and August, mill around at the head of Rivers Inlet, then traverse the Wannock, then linger a while in Owikeno Lake, and finally spawn in the lake's many tributaries. The offspring spend the next two winters in the lake, then in late spring of their second season pass down the Wannock as smolts, and enter the upper reaches of Rivers Inlet. Over the next few weeks they migrate along the northwest side of the Rivers Inlet, then most of them seem to exit via a narrow side channel (Darby Channel) and head north toward Bella Bella then on to their ocean habitat in the Gulf of Alaska.

It appears that availability of food for sockeye juveniles in Owikeno Lake may have always be an important limiting factor. It has always been noted (long before the sockeye population was in any trouble) that Owikeno Lake smolts are extremely small (about 2 gm) compared to smolts from other sockeye nursary lakes such as Shuswap Lake (4-8 gm). This feature of Owikeno smolts is attributed to the fact that the lake is relatively low in nutrients, a deficiency that results from the cold turbid waters that flood into the lake from nearby snow fields and glaciers. Turbidity limits photosynthesis, which in turn limits the growth of phytoplankton, zooplankton and everything else in the food chain, including sockeye.

Thus the smolts are probably always hungry when they come out of the mouth of the Wannock into Rivers Inlet. It is critical for them to grow quickly before heading out to the ocean, since ocean survival is known to be strongly correlated with smolt size. So, if the smolts are lucky, when they emerge from the Wannock River they enter transtional zone where abundant phytoplankton has supported a bloom of zooplankton of the sort favored by the smolts (mussel and barnacle larvae, various tiny crustaceans, etc.), and they will grow rapidly during their weeks of transit and be robust smolts by the time they leave to face the vicissitudes of the ocean.

Evidence obtained by Rick Routledge and colleages in preliminary studies points to increased mortality in the early marine phase of the sockeye life cycle as one of the reasons for the decline of the Rivers Inlet sockeye population. A key component for the marine survival of juvenile sockeye in Rivers Inlet appears to be strong early spring plankton production. Heavy Wannock discharge results in an extensive layer of nutrient-poor, sometimes glacially turbid lake water covering much of the inlet. Preliminary data indicate that when this happens in the early spring, it curtails phytoplankton productivity in the inlet and hence the food supply (primarily zooplankton) for the late-spring migration of juvenile sockeye salmon down the inlet.

Preliminary findings have implicated climate change and logging as having altered the timing and extent of Wannock River flow regimes and turbidity levels. To substantiate and extend these preliminary findings, the current ecosystem will have a focus on understanding the driving forces of spring-summer plankton productivity.

Other key members of the research team with include Dr. Evgeny Pakhomov and Dr. Brian Hunt from the University of British Columbia.

This study aims to develop a predictive model for impacts of the above-mentioned human interventions on Rivers Inlet sockeye salmon. This information is fundamental to addressing such key management concerns as:

• Reconstructing past and predicting future abundance of this once-prolific sockeye salmon population,
• Forecasting annual marine survival and adult returns from observations on river flows and weather conditions in the lead-up to the smolt migration,
• Understanding and predicting Rivers Inlet ecosystem behavior in response to climate change.
• Assessing the efficacy of hatcheries in rebuilding the population,

Why Rivers Inlet?

Rivers Inlet presents a unique, timely opportunity for studying several key scientific and fisheries management issues. Of many coastal sockeye salmon stocks that have declined in recent decades, the decline in Rivers Inlet sockeye salmon is the most profound. It has also received considerably more research attention to date than other coastal sockeye salmon populations, most recently through (i) a four-year investigation of the juvenile migration and associated ecosystem interactions in the inlet and (ii) ongoing oceanographic and sea mammal research studies in the inlet and adjacent marine areas. Yet much of this research has been exploratory. Hence, conditions are ripe for a more thorough investigation.

The watershed also contains a mix of very large, high-elevation snowfields and glaciers, and smaller, remnant glaciers at lower elevations. All have been retreating, and some others, according to traditional knowledge, have disappeared. This variety of glaciers provides a valuable opportunity to study the impacts of climate change on glaciers, downstream hydrology, and associated ecosystems.

Community Involvement and Stewardship

Through the Rivers and Smith Salmon Ecosystem Planning Society, the research team will have a solid opportunity to work closely with a broad cross-section of aboriginal and non-aboriginal people with vital interests and responsibilities associated with the ecosystem. The Wuikinuvx First Nation has also been successfully engaged in research projects in the area for some time. Other, non-aboriginal local residents have also provided valuable infrastructure support for scientific research, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada personnel have been particularly helpful. Hence, there is a strong base of logistical support for research in the inlet.

A key objective of this research project is to promote wise stewardship of the inlet resource base. This will involve several key activities each of which involves ongoing collaboration amongst persons with local knowledge, scientific expertise, and a variety of practical skills, working together with community leaders to engage everyone with a stake in, and commitment to, the integrity of the inlet ecosystem. To this end, we are focusing on the following objectives:

• Improving scientific understanding of the inlet ecosystem,
• Identifying potential stewardship opportunities whose value is based on sound scientific understanding,
• Developing a relevant, local skill base for implementing such stewardship initiatives,
• Assisting in the implementation phase.

To promote the attainment of these objectives, the research team will do the following:

• Seek every opportunity to use local resources for accommodation, fuel, supplies, transportation, etc., and to employ local people to assist in the research activities. The latter will include chartering boats and crews, hiring research assistants, etc.
• Place special emphasis on providing opportunities for training in specialized skills of value to potential stewardship initiatives. Examples of such training opportunities include field and laboratory identification of samples of fish, zooplankton and phytoplankton, handling and processing of biological samples, using and maintaining scientific instruments, and data storage and analysis. They will also continue to seek young people with an aptitude for, and interest in, pursuing university-level training in science and resource management.
• Meet regularly with the Rivers and Smith Salmon Ecosystem Planning Society, the Wuikinuxv First Nation (political leaders, elders, and all interested individuals) and any others who express an interest to discuss progress, plans for research, and potential stewardship opportunities.