Northwest Coast Salmon Research Paper

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The Importance of Salmon on the Northwest Coast “Scientists estimate 138 species of wildlife, everything from whales to insects, depend on salmon for their food.” Salmon play a great role in the ecosystems and cultures throughout the Northwest Coast. As a crucial part of the food chain, they provide food to many species like bears, seals, and eagles, making them already relied upon. Not only that, but they also fertilize nearby plants and trees with essential nutrients. The species is also important socially, with many Native American cultures on the Northwest Coast having salmon involved in food production, art, music, etc. Salmon play a critical ecological role on the Northwest Coast, acting as a keystone species that supports both marine and …show more content…
When salmon return to their spawn, they eventually die through things like a bear dragging them to the ground, or dying by the shore. When they die, they let off nutrients such as nitrogen. An average adult chum salmon returning home has 130 grams of nitrogen, 20 grams of phosphorus. These two nutrients support the life of vegetation and trees on the side of rivers with salmon populations. Studies show that trees in these locations grow nearly three times faster than others.3 Many species rely on salmon as a major part of their diet. For example, after bears hibernate, they go from the mountains to the water, where they can find fish and berries. “Fishing is a part of our circle”. It’s part of our food chain, it’s part of our family time, it’s part of our traditional potlatches and dinners, our ceremonies, everything is related to salmon.” Native American cultures along the Northwest Coast have been culturally connected to the salmon for at least 10,000 years, through food, art, and dance. Although fishing techniques have changed, the foundation is still the same. For example, the way they share their lives with and from
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