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Life Sciences Commons

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Biology

Western Washington University

2018

Ecology

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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Feeding Success Of Harbor Seals In Relation To Hunting Technique At Whatcom Creek, Mackenna Newmarch May 2018

Feeding Success Of Harbor Seals In Relation To Hunting Technique At Whatcom Creek, Mackenna Newmarch

Scholars Week

Factors that influence hunting success of seals and sea lions are underrepresented in studies of animal behavior. This is a critical interaction to understand when evaluating the top-down effects of pinnipeds on endangered Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). In the Pacific Northwest, harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) consume a very large number of individual salmon, species that are a valuable resource and the subject of costly restorative efforts. A salmon hatchery in Whatcom Creek estuary of downtown Bellingham, Washington, attracts harbor seals that prey on returning adult Pacific salmon. The convenient location and small size of the site allows consistent observation of …


Evaluation Of The Stream Function Assessment Methodology (Sfam) In Watersheds Of The Puget Sound Lowlands, Michelle Bahnick Jan 2018

Evaluation Of The Stream Function Assessment Methodology (Sfam) In Watersheds Of The Puget Sound Lowlands, Michelle Bahnick

WWU Graduate School Collection

Effective stream management requires identification of anthropogenic degradation effects on stream functioning. However, few stream assessment protocols aim to evaluate stream functions (i.e., ecosystem processes), integrate multiple disciplines, and combine stream reach assessment with landscape-level context. To address these shortcomings, several agencies in Oregon collaborated to develop the Stream Function Assessment Methodology (SFAM). However, SFAM has yet to be tested against established protocols and some SFAM metrics have no equivalent data sources outside of Oregon. I conducted SFAM (2015 draft version) on 36 stream reaches in Water Resource Inventory Area 8 in Washington State. I compared SFAM scores to commensurate …