A lidar‐based assessment of riparian shade and large wood potential in the Skagit River watershed, WA

Abstract Wild salmon stocks in the Pacific Northwest are imperiled by a variety of declining habitat factors, including riparian shade and in‐channel large wood. In this paper, relatively simple lidar model canopy was used along anadromous streams Skagit River watershed western Washington State, United States, to delineate where trees were most lacking, restoration efforts would have greatest benefit terms wood recruitment potential. Within 45‐m buffer, 61% zones currently incapable delivering stream. Current potential for is adjacent stream edges falls off rapidly with distance from channel. Approximately 99% lies within 45 m channel edge, 50% 9 m. A hypothetical which all mature 100‐year height provide 18% more distributed over entire watershed, 90% tributaries. Most gains improved contributions agricultural areas, as opposed forestry or urban land uses. The models constructed widely available geographic information system tools readily transferable other watersheds similar characteristics. Model outputs intended use planning projects, an input temperature models, inform policy on priorities regulatory buffer widths.