Riparian Buffer Zones Management for Improving British Columbia’s Salmon Habitat
Zoe Li, MLWS 2023
This project delves into challenges confronting salmon-bearing streams in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest due to urbanization and climate change. Focused on understanding riparian functionality within forested ecosystems—key habitats for these streams—the project conducts a comprehensive literature review. It evaluates riparian management plans in Maine, Seattle's Olympic Experimental State Forest, and British Columbia, each based on distinct premises regarding land use and monitoring guidelines for forested environments.
The research underscores riparian buffer zones' ecological significance in mitigating human-induced impacts on salmon habitats. It identifies specific indicators used in assessing these zones and discusses diverse management practices' pros and cons. Emphasizing effective riparian management for salmon habitat conservation, the project suggests optimizing regulations in British Columbia. Recommendations draw from successful practices observed in the studied regions, aiming to bolster the resilience of riparian buffer zones. These proposals intend to benefit salmon populations by enhancing riparian regulations and management strategies in British Columbia.
