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Integrating Conservation Genetic Considerations into Conservation Planning
Author(s) -
Epifanio John,
Haas Gordon,
Pratt Karen,
Rieman Bruce,
Spruell Paul,
Stockwell Craig,
Utter Fred,
Young William
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(2003)28[10:icgcic]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - endangered species , trout , threatened species , wildlife conservation , conservation genetics , fishery , wildlife , context (archaeology) , geography , environmental planning , environmental resource management , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , habitat , biology , environmental science , archaeology , allele , gene , microsatellite , biochemistry
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) is a species of conservation concern–listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act–throughout its native range in the western United States. The authors were assembled by the Clark Fork River Aquatic Implementation Team, composed of biologists representing Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP); Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG); and Avista Corporation, to provide a conservation genetics perspective and to assist those managers charged with stewardship of the bull trout populations occupying the Lake Pend Oreille (ID)–Iower Clark Fork River (ID, MT) drainage. More specifically, we were asked to assess the risks to bull trout from alternative conservation strategies and to recommend a plan of action aimed at promoting the species' long‐term viability and functional recovery. We describe here a case study of one application of the expert advisory panel approach within the context of a restoration program and of the underlying perspectives this panel brought to bear on bull trout conservation (including identifying conservation units and the actions needed to restore long‐term viability to the resource). Although the panel focused specifically on bull trout in a specific basin, the general considerations and approach should have more general application elsewhere for bull trout and for other at‐risk fish populations.