A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout

PLoS ONE
By: , and 

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Abstract

Assessments of species reintroductions involve a series of complex decisions that include human perspectives and ecological contexts. Here, we present a reintroduction assessment involving bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) using a structured decision-making process. We approached this assessment by engaging partners representing public utilities, government agencies, and Tribes with shared interests in a potential reintroduction. These individuals identified objectives, decision alternatives, and ecological scenarios that were incorporated into a co-produced simulation-based model of potential reintroduction outcomes. The model included mathematical representations of habitat availability, life history expression, and assumptions regarding constraints on potential bull trout populations. Within each recipient stream, partners chose to explore a wide range of decision alternatives and simulated scenarios affecting reintroduction success. Results suggested that 1) reintroductions using eggs or adults were most optimal, 2) adding more individuals resulted in diminishing returns, 3) access to migratory habitat could improve success, and 4) the diversity of opportunities for life history expression led to improved reintroduction opportunities. In addition, modeled scenarios indicated some recipient streams consistently produced lower abundance of reintroduced bull trout. This work contributes a novel example to a growing portfolio of reintroduction assessments that may inform future conservation for bull trout and many other species facing similar challenges.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout
Series title PLoS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0323427
Volume 20
Issue 5
Publication Date May 08, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher PLoS
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description e0323427, 17 p.
Country United States
State Washington
Other Geospatial Lake Chelan watershed
Additional publication details