Because of the apparent decline in the Pacific lamprey population, the Siletz tribe is focusing the habitat characterization study on the Rock Creek watershed. The Pacific lamprey project began by conducting interviews with knowledgeable Siletz Elders. The interviews with the Elders gave us insights to aquatic habitat parameters, local lamprey ecology and the population decline as it relates specifically to the Pacific lamprey in Rock and Little Rock Creeks. Additionally, the interviews substantiated the local concern about the Pacific lamprey and served as a guide for further research. However, this scale does not provide an adequate resolution or accuracy for analysis on a small watershed like Rock Creek.
Dynamic segmentation allows the user to query the data based on location or habitat criteria.
A GIS is a valuable tool that can be used to assist the natural resource decision making process. The most powerful aspect of the GIS is the ability to georeference data to specific on the ground locations. Background information on the aquatic habitat requirements of Pacific lamprey, combined with the GIS coverages, can show the available and suitable habitat areas for lamprey spawning and rearing. By using the database queries to understand relationships between land use and habitat or ecological parameters, resource managers can focus their restoration techniques in the most cost-effective manner. The GIS, in addition to existing traditional ecological knowledge, will assist the Siletz Indians in making effective land use management decisions and establishing restoration potential for the Rock Creek watershed.