Research priorities for our annual call for research proposals are drawn from the AYK SSI Research and Restoration Plan (RRP), our strategic salmon science plan is designed to identify significant knowledge gaps and establish research priorities that complement other relevant research programs in the region without duplication of effort (view the full Research and Restoration Plan at (http://www.aykssi.org/SciencePlanning/index.htm). In doing so, the Plan provides a science-based roadmap guiding the Initiative’s current and future “Invitations to Submit Research Proposals” and ensuring that available funds target the highest priority research questions and issues.
The RRP is organized around a conceptual foundation, several overarching questions and three research frameworks: 1) Salmon Life Cycle; 2) Human Systems; 3) Synthesis and Prediction. Across these three frameworks, a total of eleven high priority hypotheses were identified directly addressing the program goal of “...understanding the trends and causes of variation in salmon abundance and fisheries…”
The 2009 High Priority Hypothesis (as noted below) was selected by the AYK SSI Steering Committee and is drawn from the RRP’s Human Systems Framework.
| 2009 High Priority Hypothesis : The cumulative effects of habitat loss by mining activities can be severe at local levels but not at regional scales, except in the Norton Sound region. |
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| To assist investigators in further addressing the hypothesis, which is the foundation of this call for proposals, the AYK SSI drafted the following language: The Arctic Yukon Kuskokwim region contains several thousand miles of streams and other waters used or potentially used as habitat by salmon. Proposals are invited to address knowledge gaps in the Anadromous Waters Catalog (AWC) within the AYK SSI region (more detailed information regarding the AWC can be found at: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/SARR/awc/). Data collected should meet the criteria for inclusion of water bodies in the AWC (proposers are encouraged to coordinate with ADFG to ensure that protocols are sufficient). Areas to be surveyed should target regions/streams/rivers at risk of impacts from human activities. Proposals should clearly articulate the extent of data gaps and the importance of filling these gaps. |