*record scratch* *freeze frame* Yep. That’s me. You’re probably wondering how I got myself into this situation? Sockeye salmon are the heartbeat of Katmai National Park and Preserve, a keystone species of this delicately balanced ecosystem. Animals and plants alike significantly benefit from the rich nutrients these resilient and tenacious fish bring back from the ocean to these freshwaters of the park. The salmon carry nitrogen and phosphorous to nutrient-poor lakes like Naknek and Brooks, encouraging the growth of zooplankton, an essential food source for juvenile salmon, trout and char. These same nutrients are carried into the trees and plants adjacent to the spawning grounds by the brown bears of Katmai when they retreat to the forest to feed or leave nutrient-rich piles of excrement behind. Without the sockeye salmon, the show won’t go on. The part they play supports the role of most organisms within the park and without them, the cast of Katmai characters will become incomplet...