D-SHARP: Density Scaling for Habitat and Restoration Planning

Description

The D-SHARP tool is designed to allow users to estimate juvenile salmon densities (fish per square meter) and rearing capacities for estuary habitats based on the methods described in Hall et al. 2023 , which is intended to support restoration practitioners and planners by providing a simple and consistent way of estimating rearing capacities for different estuary habitat types. This model uses a habitat expansion approach whereby a selected fish density is multiplied by a given habitat area to determine the number of fish the habitat can support. Density data used in this model were derived from a literature review that extracted observed densities from peer reviewed and gray literature sources from estuary habitats of the Northeastern Pacific Ocean (Alaska to California), however most of the data come from estuaries of Washington and Oregon State (92.5%) and the tool is therefore most useful for those regions. Percentiles of observed densities are used in the expansions to provide the user a range of estimated expansions, with the 75th percentile being intended to represent a conservative estimate of capacity for a given habitat type or combination of habitat types. The tool currently focuses on estuary habitats, but may be expanded to include riverine habitats in the future.

Suggested Citation

Ross, K., Hall, J., McNeely, K., and Nuckols, J. 2025. D-SHARP: Density Scaling for Habitat and Restoration Planning (version 1.0.1). Shiny web application.