Table 4. Summary of attributes likely to foster resilience and precariousness in Kitlope River salmon populations.


Resilience attributes Precariousness attributes
Size (abundant habitat)

Undeveloped/ protected status

Water quality: no eutrophication or pollution

Habitat complexity
- Moderate to high floodplain channel
complexity
- Array of habitat types

Hydrology
- Glaciers maintain flows during warm
summer/fall months
- Natural flow variability

Biological complexity
- Multiple salmon species with multiple life
history strategies

Climate: warming trend is increasing production potential

 Poor aquatic growing conditions
- Low background nutrient
concentrations
- Low primary and secondary
production

Hydrology
- Flashy hydrograph
- Fast flushing

Low juvenile salmon abundance compared to other systems

Constraints on adult spawning success (harvest, ocean climate, and food web dynamics)

Climate: warming trend is likely to change system hydrology and salmon production through multiple pathways at multiple scales