Stream Restoration: Is Fisheries Biology Enough?

The fisheries profession is playing a key role in planning and implementing stream restoration projects throughout the world. To date, however, few examples exist of effective stream restoration programs or projects. One of the primary reasons stream restoration projects have not succeeded has been that projects are implemented on a small-scale, site-specific basis. We suggest that stream restoration would have a greater chance of succeeding if planned and implemented at a watershed scale. To do this, stream restoration projects must be expanded beyond instream work to include modification of upslope and riparian conditions that causes stream habitats to decline. In addition, planning for stream restoration at the watershed scale must include other disciplines that better understand these upslope watershed processes.