"One cannot be pessimistic about the West.
This is the native home of hope. When it fully learns
that cooperation, not rugged individualism, is the
quality that most characterizes and preserves it,
then it will have achieved itself and outlived its
origins. Then it has a chance to create a society
to match its scenery."
- Wallace Stegner
A global loss of diversity?
In the State of the Salmonids II report
we explore the following questions:
1. What is the status of all California
salmonids, both individually
and collectively?
2. What are major factors responsible
for their present status, especially of
declining species?
3. How can California’s salmonids be
saved from extinction?
At the current rate, California stands to lose 45% of its remaining native salmonids, including 11 of 21 anadromous species and 3 of 10 of its inland species, in the next 50 years unless significant actions are taken to stem the decline.
Under present conditions, 23 of the remaining 31 species (74%) are likely to be extinct in the next 100 years.
The Level of Concern is increasing for California’s salmonids, but especially for its anadromous species. In general, anadromous species in California face a higher risk of extirpation from their range than inland native trout because they depend on access to diverse, high quality habitat during various parts of their life cycle, and are therefore exposed to many anthropogenic and environmental threats throughout their lives. There are three main reasons for changes in the Level of Concern across nearly all salmonids since 2008.
1. the 2012-16 historic drought in CA,
2. improved information, and
3. increased understanding of climate change.
11 Trout Unlimited. (2015). State of the Trout: A Report on the Status and Trends of Native Trout in the United States. Trout Unlimited, Arlington, VA.
12 Moyle, P. et al. (2013). Climate Change Vulnerability of Native and Alien Freshwater Fishes of California: A Systematic Assessment Approach. PLoS ONE 8(5): e63883.
BREAKING NEWS
The Findings
California stands to lose 45% of its remaining native salmonids