The Behavior And Ecology Of Pacific Salmon And Trout (Hardcover)

by Thomas P. Quinn (Author) "As with most fields of knowledge, there is a certain amount of terminology associated with the life cycles of salmon, trout, and char (collectively termed..." (more)
Key Phrases: British Columbia, Fraser River, Columbia River (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Few subjects have generated as much emotional dialogue around conflicting scientific and policy agendas as the protection and management of Pacific salmon resources. In this major new work, esteemed fisheries expert Thomas Quinn distills from the vast scientific literature the essential information on the behavior and ecology of Pacific salmon, including steelhead and cutthroat trout. Unlike other books that examine only selected life stages, habitats, or species, this book--richly illustrated with beautiful photographs and original drawings--thoroughly covers the complete life cycle, emphasizing common themes and differences among the various species of salmon.

Representing the range of species and geographic regions, Quinn includes examples from classic studies by pioneers of salmon biology and from the most current research to illustrate the important features of salmon life history and behavior and the complex physical, biological, and human factors that affect them.

The Behavior and Ecology of Pacific Salmon and Trout introduces salmon and trout as a group, with a brief description of each species, and compares them to other fishes. The book then follows salmon on their amazing homeward migration from the open ocean, through the complex coastal waters, and upstream to the precise location where they were spawned years earlier. It explains the patterns of mate choice, the competition for nest sites, and the fate of the salmon after their death. It describes the lives of offspring during the months they spend incubating in gravel, growing in fresh water, and migrating out to sea to mature. Quinn emphasizes the importance of salmon to humans and to natural ecosystems and the need to integrate sound biology into conservation efforts.

This thorough, up-to-date survey should be on the shelf of anyone with a professional or personal interest in Pacific salmon and trout. Written in a technically accurate but engaging style, it will appeal to a wide range of readers, including students, anglers, biologists, conservationists, legislators, and armchair naturalists.

About the Author
Thomas P. Quinn is professor of aquatic and fishery sciences, University of Washington.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 378 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (May 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295984376
• ISBN-13: 978-0295984377
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #570,331 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Behavior and Ecology of Pacific Salmon and Trout, August 30, 2005

By	Allen Gottesfeld (British Columbia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is the best modern reference to the ecology of west coast salmon. Quinn makes good use of the advances of the last decade and shows good judgement in selecting topics to discuss. I'm a fisheries biologist writting a salmon book so I know the subject and the difficulty of writing in an engaging and informative manner. I recommend the book highly.
A caution: this book is not for beginners.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Peter Morrison, September 11, 2005

By	Peter Morrison (Winthrop, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Behavior And Ecology Of Pacific Salmon And Trout (Paperback)

This is a great resource for people that want to learn about the ecology and behaviour of salmon.

I wish it went a little more into the effects of dams and hatcheries on salmon ecology and behavior.

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential supplement to "Groot and Margolis", January 14, 2008

By	Neil Frazer (Kailua, HI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Behavior And Ecology Of Pacific Salmon And Trout (Paperback)

In the nearly two decades since "Pacific Salmon Life Histories" was written by Groot and Margolis, much more research on salmon has been done, and that research is well summarized in this book, with appropriate references. Quinn writes for his fellow scientists, but technical jargon is kept to a minimum, so the product is accessible to any reasonably intelligent reader.

I disagree with an earlier reviewer who faulted Quinn for not inveighing more against dams. Quinn could as well be faulted for failing to note the threat to wild salmon through disease transfer from rampant salmon aquaculture in British Columbia [e.g., M. Krkosek et al., Science v318:p1772 (2007)], but such criticisms miss the point. The job of a scientist in writing a book for fellow scientists is to summarize what research has been done and what it implies. In any case, near the end of the book, Quinn notes

"Given the high fishing rates, habitat loss and degradation, careless transfers of fish among basins, overzealous hatchery propagation, and other stressors, the remarkable thing is not that salmon are in danger but that they still persist at all....their chances of recovery are good if we would only take our collective foot off their neck."

and

"Salmon are important to many of us, in so many ways. They are our food, our recreation, our symbol and inspiration, and a critical component in the ecosystems that we value and depend on. If we dedicate ourselves to ensuring that they continue to play these roles, I believe the salmon will do the rest. If we preserve habitat they will use it, and if we restore habitat and make it accessible, they will find it."

You can tell where his heart is.