The following priority questions are specific to evaluating the effectiveness of the regulations and standards within the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), and practices under the Code consistent with FRPA requirements.
Given the interconnectivity of aquatic ecosystems and fish habitats within drainage basins, interpretations of effectiveness are relevant not only in the context of site-specific management, but also in terms of downstream or downslope effects, and at broader spatial scales encompassing the whole watershed.
- Are riparian forestry and range practices effective in maintaining the structural integrity and functions of stream ecosystems and other aquatic resource features over both short and long terms?
Notes:
Class S4, S5, and S6 streams as well as other habitats (e.g., fisheries sensitive zones) where riparian reserves and tree retention targets are not required by regulation are a high priority subset for evaluation.
Streams and other waterbodies with mandatory reserves are presumed to be at lower risk, but effectiveness has never been confirmed by formal assessments.
- Are forest road stream crossings or other forestry practices maintaining connectivity of fish habitats?
Notes:
Connectivity and fragmentation of fish habitats are to be assessed relative to the effects on fish distribution caused by impediments or barriers to fish passage.
- Are forestry practices, including those for road systems, preserving aquatic habitats by maintaining hillslope sediment supply and the sediment regimes of streams and other aquatic ecosystems?
Notes:
There are clear linkages and overlaps with indicators and methods relevant for the Soils Value.
The focused priority of this question is bed load sediment regimes.
Resources
The following are Fish/ Riparian related resources:
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A Comparison and Evaluation of Existing Land Management Plans Affecting Spawning and Rearing Habitat of Snake River Basin Salmon Species Listed Under the Endangered Species Act
This report summarizes and evaluates the major provisions of seven land management approaches for their likely effectiveness in protecting and restoring vital attributes of habitat for Snake River Basin salmon species listed as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Contact |
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Ministry of Environment: Fisheries Inventory
Fisheries map source web site, including TRIM, Watershed Atlas. Contact |
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Fish and Fish Habitat Survey Toolkits
Tools to assist in conducting fish and fish habitat inventory include data entry tools, semi-automated mapping programs and tools to aid in quality assurance. Contact |
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Environmental Stewardship: Watershed Restoration: Cariboo Region
Draft Routine Effectiveness Evaluation Guidelines for In-Stream and Off-Channel Projects. |
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The Ecological Reports Catalogue (EcoCat) for FFHI Reports
Catalogue of FFHI Reports. Contact |
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FishWizard
Use the FishWizard to find our most recent information about British Columbia lakes and streams and the fish in them, including salmon escapements, fish stocking records and depth maps for over 2,500 lakes. With the FishWizard, you can create maps or summary reports by following a few simple steps in sequence. |
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Forest Renewal Management Branch: Technical Publications: Technical Publications
Each title shows the number of pages and approximate size of the publication. |
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Guide to Effective Monitoring of Aquatic and Riparian Resources (RMRS-GTR-121)
This monitoring plan for aquatic and riparian resources was developed in response to monitoring needs addressed in the Biological Opinions for bull trout (U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) and steelhead (U.S. Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service). It provides a consistent framework for implementing the effectiveness monitoring of aquatic and riparian resources within the range of the Pacific Anadromous Fish Strategy (PACFISH) and the Inland Fish Strategy (INFISH). The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of land management activities on aquatic and riparian communities at multiple scales and to determine whether PACFISH/INFISH management practices are effective in maintaining or improving the structure and function of riparian and aquatic conditions at both the landscape and watershed. |
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Testing Common Stream Sampling Methods For Broad-scale, Long-term Monitoring (RMRS-GTR-122)
We evaluated sampling variability of stream habitat sampling methods used by the USDA Forest Service and the USDI Bureau of Land Management monitoring program for the upper Columbia River Basin. Three separate studies were conducted to describe the variability of individual measurement techniques, variability between crews, and temporal variation throughout the summer sampling season. We quantified the variability between crews and through time, and described the percent of the total variability attributed between crew and seasonal variability. We then estimated the number of samples needed to detect change between managed and reference sites. |
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The British Columbia Watershed Restoration Program: Summary of the Experimental Design, Monitoring and Restoration Techniques: The British Columbia Watershed Restoration Program
Summary of the Experimental Design, Monitoring and Restoration Techniques Workshop. |
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