Student Activities
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Science
In this activity, students will learn about the specific habitat requirements for each Pacific salmon species, as well as, other anadromous fish of the Elwha River watershed. The ecological habitat of each salmon species includes their adult range in the ocean and the specific parts of the river, and its tributaries, that are critical spawning habitat.
- Run (of fish) -- A group of fish of the same species that migrate together up a stream to spawn, usually associated with the seasons, e.g., fall, spring, summer, and winter runs. Members of a run interbreed, and may be genetically distinguishable from other individuals of the same species of different seasons or tributaries.
- Riffle- A shallow section of stream with small gravel and higher flow velocity, which forms ripples on the surface. Sort of like a small set of rapids.
- Stock - The fish spawning in a particular lake or stream(s) at a particular season, which to a substantial degree do not interbreed with any group spawning in a different place, or in the same place at a different season.
- Stray - An individual that breeds in a population other than that of its parents.
- Stray rate - The proportion of a population that consists of strays.
Additional Resources
http://www.psmfc.org/habitat/fishfacts.html
http://www.terendipity.com/enviroscape/shea.pdf
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/fishing/freshwater-tips/salmon/salmon-spawn.htm
http://whatcomsalmon.wsu.edu/virtualtour/index.html
Materials
Download Pacific Salmon Habitat Requirements powerpoint
Download Predator-Prey Calculator: Mountains
Last updated: October 2, 2015