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| SalmonScape: Salmon recovery goes digital SalmonScape, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) new, 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.
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