Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring

An integral, but often neglected part of any habitat restoration project is post-construction effectiveness monitoring.  Effectiveness monitoring is essential for adaptive management, as well as demonstrating the value of habitat restoration investments.  In the Georgia Basin Steelhead Recovery and Georgia Basin Living Rivers programs, recent emphasis has been given to the recovery of wild salmonids through fish habitat restoration. 

A multi-step effectiveness monitoring program has been established using the Effectiveness Monitoring Guide for Stream Restoration Conducted for Greater Georgia Basin Steelhead Recovery by Slaney (2007).  The goals are to measure the structural integrity of habitat restoration structures, prevent liability issues, and provide essential biological information on fish usage to engage an adaptive approach.

Juvenile fish abundance surveys have been developed to provide a statistically rigorous evaluation of habitat restoration work.  Seasonal assessments of un-restored (control) vs. restored (treatment) habitat on a subset of restoration projects (Silverhope Creek and Alouette River) was completed.  Day-time summer snorkel surveys evaluated juvenile fish abundance in the Alouette and Silverhope, on July 9, and August 6, 2008, respectively.  Night-time winter snorkel surveys were conducted in the Alouette and Silverhope, from February 11 – 12, and February 24 – 26, 2009, respectively. 

In general, results show a strong correlation of fish use of restored woody debris habitat sites versus control sites that were void of woody debris complexing. 

Alouette River

Day-time: coho and steelhead abundance per site type (fish/100m²): a) Habitat restored – 340 juvenile; b) Natural wood control – 271 juvenile; and c) Control – 206 juvenile.

Night-time: coho and steelhead abundance per site type (fish/100m²): a) Habitat restored – 24 juvenile; b) Natural wood control – 21 juvenile; and c) Control – 14 juvenile.

Silverhope Creek

Day-time: steelhead abundance per site type (fish/100m²): a) Habitat restored – 25 juvenile; b) Natural wood control – 11 juvenile; and c) Control – 5 juvenile.

Night-time: steelhead abundance per site type (fish/100m²): a) Habitat restored – 37 juvenile; b) Natural wood control – 16 juvenile; and c) Control – 10 juvenile.