Gabriel Rossi

I study the ecology of pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus). My research focuses on how juvenile salmon behavior and life history respond to river food webs, streamflow and physical habitat. I also study applications of food web ecology to salmon population recovery efforts. I consult with several environmental flow working groups in California and serve on SWRCB expert panels for the Eel River. Previously I worked as a fisheries hydrologist with McBain Associates – Applied River Sciences, focusing on environmental flow assessments to quantify the timing, duration, magnitude, and frequency of streamflows necessary to recover and sustain anadromous salmonids in projects across northern California, from the Bay Area to the Klamath River. I have developed hydraulic models, conducted hydrology analyses, performed local and systemic fish passage analyses, and evaluated flow management scenarios using fish bioenergetics and risk assessment tools for small- and medium-sized watersheds. Recently I have incorporated 3D videogrammetry to assess changes in salmonid behavior in response to natural and anthropogenic habitat alteration. Over 12 years as an aquatic ecologist, I have worked with state and federal regulators, municipalities, water districts, native American tribes, agricultural interests, and NGOs to navigate the complex ecological and human factors that influence the recovery of healthy river ecosystems, and resilient wild salmon populations.