Understanding Chinook Salmon-Ecosystem Interactions at the Limit of Their Inland Range, as Told by Trees and Teslin Tlingit Knowledge Holders

dc.contributor.advisorVamosi, Steven
dc.contributor.authorConnoy, Jared
dc.contributor.committeememberRogers, Sean
dc.contributor.committeememberMunkittrick, Kelly
dc.date2022-06
dc.date.accessioned2022-05-04T16:14:43Z
dc.date.available2022-05-04T16:14:43Z
dc.date.issued2022-04
dc.description.abstractPacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) function as major sources of sustenance and nutrients in moving from marine environments inland. This has been demonstrated in coastal systems by positive relationships between Pacific salmon abundance and riparian tree growth and δ15N, likely mediated by predators and scavengers fertilizing the soil through consuming and transporting salmon carcasses. This thesis investigated whether these relationships occur at the limit of Pacific salmon distribution on the Teslin Tlingit Council (TTC) Traditional Territory in Southern Yukon, other ecosystem roles of salmon and population declines in the area, and the interactions of these processes. Tree growth chronologies were created at five riparian sites for 40-50 trees (N = 220) and related to salmon escapement or abundance data from the Yukon and Teslin rivers. Site growth chronologies were significantly and positively related to salmon escapement at three of four salmon-bearing sites and not at the negative (salmon-free) control site. Mean annual growth was higher at all salmon-bearing sites with significant salmon-growth relationships than at the negative control site. Salmon were estimated to increase tree growth by 17-39%. Mean δ15N was significantly higher at salmon-bearing sites compared to the negative control. Interviews were conducted with three Teslin Tlingit knowledge holders to study salmon-ecosystem interactions on the Traditional Territory. Interviews revealed measures of a healthy salmon run and large population declines that have negatively impacted local ecosystems (namely bears) and human wellbeing. Western scientific methods and Indigenous Knowledge included in this study suggest salmon population declines in the area have likely altered their role as nutrient sources. This study demonstrates the ubiquity of salmon as ecological and cultural keystone species, and the importance of considering multiple ways of knowing to improve research in complex ecological (and social-ecological) systems.en_US
dc.identifier.citationConnoy, J. (2022). Understanding Chinook salmon-ecosystem interactions at the limit of their inland range, as told by trees and Teslin Tlingit knowledge holders (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39725
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/114605
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultyScienceen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectPacific Salmonen_US
dc.subjectIndigenous Knowledgeen_US
dc.subjectYukonen_US
dc.subject.classificationEcologyen_US
dc.subject.classificationEnvironmental Sciencesen_US
dc.titleUnderstanding Chinook Salmon-Ecosystem Interactions at the Limit of Their Inland Range, as Told by Trees and Teslin Tlingit Knowledge Holdersen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineBiological Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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