OOS 28-2 - Climate change effects on phenology of anadromous salmonids in Coastal Riverscapes of the Pacific Northwest

Anadromous aquatic species, such as Pacific salmon, must access habitats in freshwater, estuary and marine environments in order to complete their life cycle. Phenotypic plasticity has facilitated survival by allowing at least a portion of the population to survive to reproduction in response to varied habitat and weather conditions that occur over the life cycles of individuals. However, climate change modifies environmental conditions such as temperature and discharge, altering predictable patterns of connection and disconnection among suitable habitats at key times in fish life history in each environment. Assessing the impacts of projected shifts in environmental conditions in Oregon Coast Range freshwater and estuarine habitats can help inform conservation planning. Improved understanding of the characteristics of aquatic habitats and their relationship to fish life history patterns can provide insights into species resilience or vulnerability to climate change in specific watersheds. Here, we review the intersection between phenology and habitat variability for Pacific salmon particularly with respect to habitat diversity and anticipated climate effects in coastal systems.