A collaborative e-library for stressor-response functions to improve the science underlying salmonid management

Abstract

Stressor-response functions quantify relationships linking environmental stressors to biological responses, underpinning salmonid life-cycle models, restoration planning, regulatory policy, and cumulative effects assessments. Despite their importance, these stressor-response functions are widely scattered across the literature and reported inconsistently: some provide equations, others only show plotted curves without underlying data available, and many use different units, scales, or model forms. This fragmentation limits comparison among studies and constrains integration into population models. Here we outline best practices for authoring stressor-response functions, identify common challenges, and highlight how an open-source stressor-response e-library can improve their accessibility and application (available at: https://connect.fisheries.noaa.gov/salmon_stressor_response_library/). We show how the e-library supports major domains of practice including life-cycle and population models, cumulative effects and multi-stressor assessments, restoration prioritization, environmental policy and regulation, and collaboration and open science. Drawing from recent advances in stressor-response theory, empirical analysis, and governance perspectives, we argue that a curated, collaborative e-library enhances transparency, comparability, and efficiency in salmonid management. Such infrastructure is essential for linking ecological science with applied decision-making.