Species extinction and its effects on Klamath County
Prepared
by Zach Harris and Pernell Booth
(From Left to Right): Pernell Booth, Zach Harris, John Reese, Jason Vandiver, Pat Fuller, Sammy Stroughter
Zach, Pernell and Mike in Chiloquin, OR; a small town
where the Klamath Tribal Admin. Is located
The 2007 Spring Break was spent in beautiful
Klamath County Oregon. Oregon State
University’s Sociology and Ethnic Studies departments sponsor a class based on
Native American issues in a rural Oregon community, such as Klamath County. The five-day class, from March 25th
through the 30th, spent most of the time interviewing stakeholders
from the community. These interviews
gave class participants insight into the problems affecting those living in
Klamath. The most common issue and
recurrent theme that these stakeholders discussed was that of water
rights.
The Klamath tribes and the non-native
agricultural community have been in turmoil ever since the 2001 when water use
was significantly reduced for conservation of Salmon and the ceremonial Sucker
Fish. The severely restricted use of
logging land was also another theme that was commonly discussed. The over-use of timber areas and the
Endangered Northern Spotted owl were main reasons to these restrictions. The following will give insight into the
endangered species in the area, and their impact on the community. The three key species discussed during the
class were the Northern Spotted Owl, Coho Salmon, and the Sucker fish Native to
the Klamath Basin.
The Northern Spotted
Owl, (Strix occidentalis
caurina)
The spotted owl habitat
has been devastated due to the over-use of the timber areas in Klamath County
as well as the lack of replanting after cutting. This can be seen in the picture.
This advertisement was a recurrent theme when numerous individuals were losing their livelihood because of the Endangered Species act and the fact that there would be a reduced timber industry because of this.
STATUS: |
Threatened
DESCRIPTION: |
Northern spotted owls are dark-to-chestnut brown with round
or oval white spots on their head, neck, back and underparts. Their flight
feathers also are dark brown in color and barred with light brown or white.
Unlike most owls, spotted owls have dark eyes.
SIZE: |
Although this species is often referred to as a medium-sized
owl, it ranks among the largest in North America. The average adult size is
about 18 inches tall with a wing span of approximately 48 inches. They weigh
between 17-29 ounces. The female is larger than the male.
POPULATION: |
As a result of declining habitat, there are fewer than 100
pairs of Northern spotted owls in British Columbia, Canada, 1,200 pairs in
Oregon, 560 pairs in northern California and 500 pairs in the state of
Washington.
LIFESPAN: |
They may live as long as 10 years in the wild and up to
15-20 years in captivity.
RANGE: |
Northern spotted owls are typically found in old growth
forests of northern California and the Pacific Northwest of the United States
and in southern parts of British Columbia, Canada.
HABITAT: |
Suitable spotted owl habitat includes old-growth forest
areas with multi-layered canopies of trees that are high and open enough for
the owls to fly between and underneath them. Preferred areas have large trees
with broken tops, deformed limbs and large cavities, capable of supporting the
owls� nesting
materials..
FOOD: |
Northern spotted owls enjoy a variety of prey, including flying squirrels,
woodrats, mice and other small rodents. They also eat birds, insects and
reptiles.
BEHAVIOR: |
These owls are very territorial and
intolerant of habitat disturbance. Even though they do not migrate, they may
shift their ranges in response to seasonal changes. Each pair needs a large
amount of land for hunting and nesting. They have a distinct flight pattern,
involving a series of rapid wingbeats interspersed with gliding flight.
OFFSPRING: |
Pairs of males and females form in February or March and two
or three white eggs are laid in March or April. The female incubates the eggs
for 30 days. After hatching, it takes the young birds 34-36 days to fledge � or acquire the feathers necessary for flying. After the
eggs hatch, the female sits with the offspring for 8-10 days. During this time,
the male brings the female food.
THREATS: |
The biggest threat to the Northern spotted owl is loss of
old growth forest habitat, as a result of logging and forest fragmentation.
These threats are made even greater by natural disasters, such as fire,
volcanic eruptions and wind storms.
PROTECTION: |
Endangered Species Act, *CITES, Appendix II
*Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with more than 144 member
countries. Appendix I listed species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II
listed species can be traded commercially only if trade does not harm their
survival.
Endnagered
Species act of 1973
Coho Salmon from the
Klamath River The “Bucket,” a
symbol in Klamath Falls, Oregon
The
Klamath River was once the third most productive salmon river system in the
United States. Today, thanks to habitat blocking dams, poor water quality and
too little water left in the river, the once abundant Klamath salmon runs have
now been reduced to less than 10% of their historic size. Some species, such as
Coho salmon, are now in such low numbers in the Klamath River that they are
listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Salmon
losses in the Klamath Basin have had devastating impacts on the lower river
fishing-dependent economy, putting thousands of people out of work and
eliminating tens of millions of dollars annually from the economy of these
rural areas and coastal ports, from Fort Bragg, California to Florence, Oregon.
The need to protect depressed Klamath salmon runs has also triggered fishing
closures on otherwise abundant stocks (mostly hatchery fish from the California
Central Valley) all up and down the west coast, causing many indirect economic
costs as well.
One
of the biggest problems for water quality in the Klamath River is the operation
of the Klamath Irrigation Project, a huge federal water project which diverts
most of the water from the Upper Klamath Basin (in Oregon) for irrigation long
before it can reach salmon spawning areas downriver in California. The
remaining water left in the river, whatever the Project is willing to release
from Iron Gate Dam, is so little in volume, so hot and so laced with pesticides
and nitrates from agricultural waste water that it is often fatal for salmon as
much as 100 miles downriver. Hundreds of thousands of salmon have been killed
in recent years as a result, and Klamath River Coho salmon driven nearly to
extinction.
Salmon
Fish Facts 2006-Klamath, OR
Lost
River Sucker Fish Klamath
County, OR
STATUS: ENDANGERED
|
Distribution of
Lost River sucker
|
|
|
The Lost River sucker was
federally listed as endangered in 1988. A recovery plan was published in
1993. Historical Status and Current Trends Early records indicate that
Lost River suckers were once widespread and abundant in the upper Klamath
Basin of Oregon and California. This area historically contained over 350,000
acres of wetlands and floodplains. These wetlands protected sucker habitat by
controlling erosion, recycling organic and inorganic nutrients, and
maintaining water quality. Because suckers were historically very abundant,
they were a major food source for Native Americans and local settlers in the
late 1800's. Canneries were established along the Lost River to process
suckers into oil, dried fish, and other products. However, agricultural
development and associated water and land use changes in the basin have contributed
to the significant loss of wetland habitat and a significant decline in
sucker populations. Although overharvesting and pollution may have played a
role in the species decline, it is believed that the combined effects of the
construction of dams, the draining or dredging of lakes, and other
alterations of natural stream flow have reduced the reproductive success of
Lost River suckers by as much as 95% through the degradation of suitable
breeding habitat. At the time the Lost River sucker was listed as endangered,
it was noted that there had been no significant addition of young into the
population in 18 years. Currently, the Lost River
sucker occupies only a fraction of its former range and is restricted to a
few areas in the Upper Klamath Basin, such as the drainages of Upper Klamath
Lake, Tule Lake, and Clear Lake. Poor water quality, reduced suitable habitat
for all sizes and ages, and the impacts of non-native fishes continue to
threaten remaining Lost River sucker populations. Description and Life History Locally known as mullet, the
Lost River sucker is a large, long-lived sucker that can reach 43 years of
age. It has unique triangular-shaped gill structures which are used to strain
a diet of detritus (decomposing organic matter), zooplankton (tiny floating
aquatic animals), algae, and aquatic insects from the water. Lost River
suckers typically begin to reproduce at nine years, when they first
participate in spawning migration. Adult suckers migrate from the quiet
waters of lakes into fast moving streams from March through May in order to
spawn. They may also spawn in lakeshore springs from February to mid-April
when the water temperature is a constant 15 C (60 F). Thousands of eggs (from
44,000 for smaller fish to 218,000 for larger suckers) are typically laid
near the stream bottom in areas where gravel or cobble is available. Once the
eggs hatch, the larval fish begin their migration back to calmer waters. They
generally migrate at night and stay in shallow, shoreline areas and in
aquatic vegetation during the day. Upon their return to the lake, larvae may
be preyed upon by largemouth bass, yellow perch, or other non-native
predatory fish, and larger juveniles may compete for food with non-native
fishes such as fathead minnows, yellow perch, and others. Habitat The Lost River sucker dwells
in the deeper water of lakes and spawns in springs or tributary streams
upstream of the home lake. Areas with gravel or close-set stone
("cobble") bottoms at springs or in moderate to fast-flowing
springs are preferred for spawning. In addition, the spawning streams have a
fairly shallow shoreline with abundant aquatic vegetation; these areas
provide a safe haven for the young larvae during their journey back
downstream to their home lakes or the deep, quiet waters of rivers. Reasons for Decline Although a number of factors
have contributed to the decline of the Lost River sucker, habitat degradation
is considered the primary cause. Streams, rivers, and lakes have been
modified by channelization and dams. Grazing in the riparian zone has
eliminated streambank vegetation, and has added nutrients and sediment to
river systems. Eggs and larvae, for example, suffocate when the water is
cloudy, or dry out or get eaten by other fish when they are not protected by
aquatic vegetation. Loss of streambank vegetation due to overgrazing, logging
activities, agricultural practices, and road construction has also led to
increases in stream temperatures, high levels of nutrients (which encourages
the buildup of excess algae and bacteria), and serious erosion and
sedimentation problems in streams. Such water quality problems have reduced
the availability of suitable Lost River sucker habitat and have resulted in
major fish mortality. Entire age classes of young suckers are routinely lost
due to poor water quality conditions. As a result, few young suckers survive
to sexual maturity, and therefore, do not increase the population size. Other
factors affecting the decline of the Lost River sucker include previous
overharvesting, chemical pollution from pesticides, herbicides, and forestry
practices, and predation and competition from native and non-native fishes
such as largemouth bass, blue chub, yellow perch, fathead minnows, and
rainbow trout. Conservation Measures Conservation efforts for the
Lost River sucker focus on the re-establishment of a more naturally
functioning ecosystem in the Klamath Basin. Fencing portions of streams to
reduce cattle-caused erosion, replanting streambanks with native vegetation,
improving forestry and agricultural practices, and assuring adequate water
levels in reservoirs will contribute to the recovery of this species. Through
coordination of the actions of land use agencies and private landowners,
further degradation of sucker habitat can be avoided and steps can be taken
to improve current conditions. By minimizing the impacts of future
modifications to spawning habitat and restoring waters to a more natural
state, recovery of Lost River sucker populations is possible in the Klamath
Basin. References and Links |
Klamath
County OSU Extension office
Page Last Updated April 16, 2007