Threats to Marine habitats

The North Cascades includes the Skagit River and its headwaters, where hundreds of salmon, including all of the five native populations of pacific salmon: the coho, sockeye, chum, pink, and the endangered chinook salmon, migrate to and come to spawn (Environment Washington, 2014.)

 Skagit river runs through The North Cascades National Park

Photo courtesy of National Park Services

The photograph below of the Skagit River as it approaches the Puget Sound, where salmon and multiple other fish can be found. 

Courtesy of North Cascades N.P Park Vision

Threats of Deforesting 
 Habitat destruction by human activities like deforesting and mining, near the Skagit river could effect the quality and quantity of the aquatic ecosystem, and cause habitat loss for salmon and other animals that live or pass through the rivers delta (USDA Forest Service, 1985). Clear cutting of forest surrounding the Skagit river, may potentially threaten the lower level spawning areas of the Skagit, making conditions unfavorable or inaccessible for salmon to spawn in. Habitat loss of the North Cascades from deforestation can lead to further decrease to the Skagit's delta and its critical pocket estuary habitats, which feed and protect young salmon when they move their way to out to the puget sound (Quinn, T. P., J. A. Peterson, 2002).


Importance of Estuaries on Salmon Life Cycle

 

Salmon Life Cycle. Courtesy of UW School of Fisheries 

After entering into Estuary habitats, the young salmon begin their slow physiological transformation, that will enable them to successfully transition to living in salt water habitats (Sound Science, 2007). The suitable conditions of an estuary habitat has a huge influence on the survival rate of young salmon (USDA Forest Service, 1985). If the Skagits delta habitats were to be decreased or altered by habitat loss around the edges of the river, then the Skagits Estuary habitats may no longer offer the same benefits and protection they once did for the fish, but instead be threatening and fatal areas for the young salmon (Quinn, T. P., J. A. Peterson, 2002). This is why it is critical to conserve the habitat from any disturbance or destruction.

1.  Increase erosions upland, could cause young salmon to be washed out from estuary habitats and out to sea before their transformation to live in salt water is final (Gantenbein, 2003).
2. Estuary habitats are areas of an increase risk for young salmon, because of the many predators that live in the area (Quinn, T. P., J. A. Peterson,  2002).Therefore, if habitat were to be altered or decreased, it would make the young salmon more vulnerable to threats.  

Ho             The Image below shows the areas prioritized for habitat protection of the Middle Skagit river area. 

                                  ( Middle Skagit Inventory and Assessment Final Report , 2003)

This map made up of the middle skagit area was carefully devised by the Skagit Land Trust Organization, and published in the final statement of the Middle Skagit Inventory and Assessment Report. 

The middle area of the skagit river is crucial habitat for Washington's native populations of pacific salmon (middle Skagit Inventory and Assessment Final Report, 2003). The map demonstrates just how large of an area is critical to protecting the rivers watershed quality and wildlife, and that deforesting and mining in areas that are not being protected and monitored, may cause a higher destruction and disturbance to the total overall habitat area, including the protected areas.

"The Skagit has incredible potential to secure a future for 

salmon and other wildlife species for generations to come"

 -Paula Del Giudice

(Director of the National Wildlife Federation's Northwest Natural Resource Center in Seattle)