Kimberly Larsen
Biography
Education:
M.S. 1989. Marine Invertebrate Larval Development. Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
B.S. 1986. Marine Science. University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
Research Interests:
Otolith Research Coordinator: In this position I oversee all research projects regarding scale analysis and analysis of otolith microstructure and microchemistry focusing on the population ecology of fishes within the Pacific NW. Otoliths and scales have been used as research tools for understanding various life histories and habitat importance as they relate to the protection, preservation, and restoration of those habitats. Research techniques include: collection and preservation of specimens from both natural habitats and culture based environments, otolith preparation and analysis of age, thermal marks, daily increment patterns and microchemistry, and scale preparation and analysis of age and spawning all aided by computerized imaging. These techniques have been employed on several projects: thermal marking for stock identification of steelhead trout as part of a hatchery supplementation study in Idaho streams, identification of unique microstructural patterns related to life history events and estuarine residence and growth in wild Chinook salmon of the Skagit, Nisqually, Snohomish, and Elwha rivers, WA state, the pioneering of in depth microstructural pattern analysis related to developmental events in larval salmonids, migration and rearing histories of salmonids determined by ion microprobe and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectometry (ICPMS), and the life history investigation of whitefish and non-native west coast American Shad of the Columbia River, WA.
Ecological Researcher: I work as a member of a team of multi-disciplined personnel investigating the population ecology of Pacific NW fishes. We conduct field and laboratory experiments concerned with population genetics, hatchery supplementation, habitat utilization, and life history documentation.
Experience:
1990 to Present - Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
Science and Products
Life History of Pacific Northwest Fishes through Age and Growth Structures
The focus of our research is the ecological analysis of Pacific Northwest fishes through age and growth structures such as: scales, fin rays and otoliths (small calcium carbonate deposits beneath the brain used in hearing and balance that grow in proportion to the overall growth of the fish). These structures are utilized as research tools for understanding life histories and habitat...
Puget Sound Fall Chinook Estuarine Utilization
The WFRC has partnered separately with both the Skagit River System Tribal Cooperative and the Nisqually Tribe to research the use of otoliths (calcium carbonate deposits beneath the brain used in hearing and balance that grow in proportion to the overall growth of the fish) as a tool in examination of Puget Sound Fall Chinook salmon life history.
Evaluating Coho Salmon in Streams Across an Urbanization Gradient; Part 1, Growth Potential Based on Environmental Factors and Bioenergetics
Physical and chemical changes affect the biota within urban streams at varying scales ranging from individual organisms to populations and communities creating complex interactions that present challenges for characterizing and monitoring the impact on species utilizing these freshwater habitats. Salmonids, specifically cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus
Investigation of otolith microstructure and composition for identification of rearing strategies and associated Baker Lake sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) smolt production, Washington, 2016–17
Baker River (Washington, USA) sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) are a recovering Puget Sound stock that are aided by trap-and-haul and hatchery programs to mitigate for the presence of a high head dam. The relative contribution of hatchery and natural adults to overall production of smolts and recruits is unknown. The ability to identify three...
Larsen, Kimberly A.; Wetzel, Lisa A.; Stenberg, Karl D.; Lind-Null, Angie M.
Gauging resource exploitation by juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in restoring estuarine habitat
In the context of delta restoration and its impact on salmonid rearing, success is best evaluated based on whether out-migrating juvenile salmon can access and benefit from suitable estuarine habitat. Here, we integrated 3 years of post-restoration monitoring data including habitat availability, invertebrate prey biomass, and juvenile Chinook...
Davis, Melanie; Ellings, Christopher S.; Woo, Isa; Hodgson, Sayre; Larsen, Kimberly A.; Nakai, Glynnis Juvenile coho salmon growth and health in streams across an urbanization gradient
Expanding human population and urbanization alters freshwater systems through structural changes to habitat, temperature effects from increased runoff and reduced canopy cover, altered flows, and increased toxicants. Current stream assessments stop short of measuring health or condition of species utilizing these freshwater habitats and fail to...
Spanjer, Andrew R.; Moran, Patrick W.; Larsen, Kimberly; Wetzel, Lisa; Hansen, Adam G.; Beauchamp, David A. Spatio-temporal variability in movement, age, and growth of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in a river network based upon PIT tagging and otolith chemistry
Connectivity of river networks and the movements among habitats can be critical for the life history of many fish species, and understanding of the patterns of movement is central to managing populations, communities, and the landscapes they use. We combined passive integrated transponder tagging over 4 years and strontium isotopes in otoliths to...
Benjamin, Joseph R.; Wetzel, Lisa A.; Martens, Kyle D.; Larsen, Kimberly; Connolly, Patrick J.
Aquatic ecology of the Elwha River estuary prior to dam removal: Chapter 7 in Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington--biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal
The removal of two long-standing dams on the Elwha River in Washington State will initiate a suite of biological and physical changes to the estuary at the river mouth. Estuaries represent a transition between freshwater and saltwater, have unique assemblages of plants and animals, and are a critical habitat for some salmon species as they migrate...
Duda, Jeffrey J.; Warrick, Jonathan A.; Magirl, Christopher S.; Duda, Jeffrey J.; Beirne, Matthew M.; Larsen, Kimberly; Barry, Dwight; Stenberg, Karl; McHenry, Michael L. Thiaminase activity and life history investigations in American Shad in the Columbia River
American shad Alosa sapidissima fry were successfully transplanted from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast in 1871 and have subsequently proliferated. The Columbia River population is in the millions, yet few investigations have been conducted to better understand their life history, population dynamics, or potential impacts on other species. In...
Wetzel, Lisa A.; Parsley, Michael J.; van der Leeuw, Bjorn K.; Larsen, Kimberly A. Thiaminase activity and life history investigations in American Shad in the Columbia river
American shad <i>Alosa sapidissima</i> fry were successfully transplanted from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast in 1871 and have subsequently proliferated. The Columbia River population is in the millions, yet few investigations have been conducted to better understand their life history, population dynamics, or potential impacts on...
Wetzel, Lisa A.; Parsley, Michael J; van der Leeuw, Bjorn K.; Larsen, Kimberly A. Verification of a ‘freshwater-type’ life history variant of juvenile American shad in the Columbia River
American shad are native to the Atlantic coast of North America and were successfully introduced to the Pacific coast in the 1870s. They are now more abundant in the Columbia River than are its native salmon. As in their native range, Columbia River American shad are anadromous and have been assumed to solely exhibit an ‘ocean-type’ life history,...
Wetzel, Lisa A.; Larsen, Kimberly A.; Parsley, Michael J.; Zimmerman, Christian E. Validation of a freshwater Otolith microstructure pattern for Nisqually Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
The Nisqually Fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) population is one of 27 stocks in the Puget Sound (Washington) evolutionarily significant unit listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Extensive restoration of the Nisqually River delta ecosystem has taken place to assist in recovery of the stock since...
Lind-Null, Angie; Larsen, Kim
Otolith analysis of pre-restoration habitat use by Chinook salmon in the delta-flats and nearshore regions of the Nisqually River Estuary
The Nisqually Fall Chinook population is one of 27 salmon stocks in the Puget Sound (Washington) evolutionarily significant unit listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Extensive restoration of the Nisqually River delta ecosystem is currently taking place to assist in recovery of the stock as juvenile Fall Chinook...
Lind-Null, Angie; Larsen, Kim
Extended abstracts from the Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) 2006 Workshop
Puget Sound is the second largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to a significant growth in human population and associated development. This...
Gelfenbaum, Guy R.; Fuentes, Tracy L.; Duda, Jeffrey J.; Grossman, Eric E.; Takesue, Renee K. Pre-Restoration Habitat Use by Chinook Salmon in the Nisqually Estuary Using Otolith Analysis: An Additional Year
The Nisqually Fall Chinook population is one of 27 stocks in the Puget Sound evolutionarily significant unit listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Preservation and extensive restoration of the Nisqually delta ecosystem is currently taking place to assist in recovery of the stock as juvenile Fall Chinook salmon are...
Lind-Null, Angie; Larsen, Kim
Western Fisheries Science News, October 2014 | Issue 2.10
Supporting Restoration with Research in the Nisqually River Delta