Terrestrial Biodiversity:

• Native Flowering Plants
• Ancient Gardens
• Butterflies
• Bats
• Small Mammals
• Amphibians
• Reptiles
• Coastal Cutthroat Trout
• Wetlands
• Climate Change

Home > Research > Terrestrial Biodiversity

Coastal Cutthroat Trout

Coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) are native to at least two of the larger islands, and are critically endangered by impoundments of streams by roads and diversions of water for ponds.  In collaboration with the Wild Fish Conservancy and Washington Water Trust, Kwiaht has been studying cutthroat in five streams on Orcas and San Juan Islands, and providing technical support for restoration efforts, including re-vegetation, genotyping and toxicology.  In a 2010 report, Kwiaht identified low summer stream flows as a limiting factor for the survival of juvenile cutthroat in the islands, exacerbated by development as well as climate change.

Coastal Cutthroat Photo Gallery