Ecosystem Connection between Alaskan Meadows and Deep Ocean

Key Players

• Chum Salmon

  • Adults live in Pacific Ocean.
  • Migrate to freshwater streams to spawn.

• Blow Flies

  • Lay eggs on salmon carcasses.
  • Maggots eat decaying salmon.
  • Adult flies contribute to pollination.

Salmon Lifecycle

• Salmon spend years in the ocean gorging themselves.
• Return to freshwater streams drawn by the smell of melting snow runoff.
• Thousands swim upstream to their birthplace to spawn.
• Females create nests in gravel and lay eggs.
• Males fertilize the eggs.
• After spawning, most salmon die.

Role in the Ecosystem

• Carcass Decomposition

  • Bears eat parts of the salmon and leave remains.
  • Blow flies lay eggs in the remains; maggots feed on the flesh.
  • Decomposition spreads oceanic nutrients throughout the forest.

• Nutrient Distribution

  • Decomposing salmon release nitrogen.
  • Up to 80% of nitrogen in forest plants comes from salmon.
  • Nutrients spread as flies die or are eaten.

Impact on Flora

• Flower Pollination
  • Adult blow flies pollinate flowers in meadows.

Conclusion

• The journey of salmon from the ocean to freshwater streams brings nutrients to terrestrial ecosystems.
• An entire ecosystem is nourished by the lifecycle of salmon.
• Baby coho salmon prepare to continue the cycle by journeying to the ocean.

Additional Notes

• The video encourages following the journey by subscribing for updates.
• Mention of related content about beavers as ecosystem engineers in Juneau, Alaska.