Environmental Science & Management Professor Jim Graham received renewed funding from CalTrout to expand a project in the Eel River watershed, vital for salmonids and other species. Graduate student Farrah Tyler is developing a Riparian Climate Refugia (RCR) dataset using geospatial modeling to identify areas resilient to climate change.
Tyler analyzes topographic, hydrologic, and land use data to highlight regions with cooler temperatures and low human disturbance that can sustain wildlife amid changing conditions. Her work aims to inform land management decisions for conservation and restoration.
The Eel River watershed, spanning five counties, has faced habitat degradation due to human activities, making the presence of species like salmon crucial for both ecological health and Indigenous cultures. Tyler’s research will be publicly accessible, aiding in conservation efforts as climate pressures increase, ensuring the watershed’s ecosystems remain viable.
