Landscape and Biophysical Controls of Lake Productivity to Inform Evaluation of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Populations in Data-limited Regions

A report studying sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) located in the North and Central Coast (NCC) of British Columbia. Given the limited resources of assessment for salmon located in these remote locations, limnological and population monitoring in many of these lakes has been periodic or absent, limiting understanding of the status of populations and their habitats. Lake photosynthetic rate (PR) estimates are foundational to models of sockeye salmon nursery lake productive capacity. Using data from 61 lakes across the NCC, this study compares a suite of landscape and lake variables in an information theoretic framework producing a set of models relating these characteristics to lake PR. These landscape models represent a valuable starting point for evaluating lake‐specific carrying capacities for data‐poor sockeye salmon populations under Canada's Wild Salmon Policy.