Restoration Through Overhead Refugia Exploration

Over the 4 years, this project will identify and enhance important spawning habitat and refuge areas for the conservation and protection of the culturally-significant Atlantic salmon for the endangered iBoF population. Using a thermal and LiDAR imaging drone, surveys will be conducted to identify areas that are cold water refuges and therefore critical to the needs of iBoF salmon when water temperatures can exceed 20°C. Similarly, drone surveys will support the identification of waters that would benefit from added cold water refuges which could support the persistence of iBoF salmon as climate change influences will likely impact overall water characteristics. Given the capabilities of thermal and LiDAR imaging, we anticipate this will support the identification of areas where industrial runoff (primarily agriculture and/or forestry) may negatively impact water quality where iBoF salmon are present, but also for American eel for which chemical contamination is not fully understood.