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SalmonScape, the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s interactive, computer mapping system, is one of the most
important tools created thus far to deliver scientific information
to those involved in on-the-ground salmon recovery projects.
SalmonScape delivers the science that helps recovery planners identify
and prioritize the restoration and protection activities that offer
the greatest benefit to fish. The site also offers a significant environmental
education tool for middle school and high school students.
Found at http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/salmonscape on
the WDFW website, SalmonScape merges fish and habitat data collected
by state, federal, tribal and
local biologists and presents it in an integrated system that can be
readily accessed by other agencies and citizens.
The site features multi-layered maps containing information on fish
stock distribution and status, juvenile fish monitoring, habitat characteristics
and stream blockages that impede fish passage. The various map views
allow users to see data by watershed, county boundary and user-defined
areas. Data can be displayed against background images that include
shaded relief and aerial photos.
With SalmonScape, natural
resource biologists in various public and private agencies can access
an array of previously scattered data pertinent
to salmon and fish habitat. The site’s maps can help planners
pinpoint priority habitat restoration projects that will do the most
good in recovering salmon populations. For example, SalmonScape allows
viewers to see layered maps of salmon status and barriers to fish migration.
Barriers that block access of critically depressed stocks to additional
habitat may be a priority target for removal.
In a similar manner, SalmonScape offers transportation planners important
information that can help them identify the most favorable locations
for mitigation projects intended to off-set the habitat impact of new
road construction. For example, local governments involved in growth
management planning may wish to the learn the species of salmon, their
status, distribution, and the habitat areas most important to maintaining
salmon production when reviewing critical area ordinances.
In addition, SalmonScape allows students to visually grasp the relationships
among habitat features, human development and fish stock status within
a watershed or geographic area.
Selected map layers can be downloaded from the SalmonScape site and
can be integrated with information collected and managed by government,
industry and citizens.
SalmonScape maps were created
with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, a computerized
mapping system that displays and analyzes geographic features and
other data.
The biological data contained on the SalmonScape site was collected
by state, federal, tribal and local biologists as well as Regional
Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEGs) and watershed partners in the
course of monitoring salmon and watershed health across Washington
state. Fish distribution and use data were provided by the Stream
Net, Limiting Factors Analysis and Salmonid Data Information Integration
projects; salmonid stock status came from the Salmonid Stock Inventory
(SaSi), and core habitat variables were provided by state and tribal
Salmon and Steelhead Analysis Inventory and Analysis Program (SHIAPP).
Over the coming year, additional data on stream features and fish
passage barriers statewide will be added to the site.
SalmonScape was developed with funding from the Salmon Recovery Funding
Board, the Washington Legislature and a federal grant.
SalmonScape was developed
for Internet Explorer, version 5.5 or newer, and may not work with
other browsers. The IE security setting must
be set to "Medium". SalmonScape works best with screen resolutions
of 1024 X 768 or 800 X 600. |
