Key Elements of Successful Conservation Planning John Paskus October 17, 2013 Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Michigan Natural Features Inventory
What is Conservation Planning? Pressey et al (2008): The process of locating, configuring, implementing, and maintaining areas that are managed to promote the persistence of biodiversity and other natural values. Craighead, Convis (2013): The use of the best scientific information to ensure that natural systems are conserved as human induced change takes place.
5 Key Elements 1. Good Information/Data 2. Values/Paradigms 3. Right Scale/Ecological Frameworks 4. Robust Tools/Planning Frameworks 5. Meaningful Partnerships/Connections
1. Good Scientific Information
1. Good Scientific Information Conduct a Natural Resources Inventory Method Benefits Info Quality Utilize Existing Conservation Plans Quickest; least costly Collect Existing NR Info Fast; low cost Develop Ecological Models Moderate speed; moderate cost Highly variable; sometimes unclear Typically info gaps old data Highly dependent on existing data Conduct Field Surveys Slowest; most costly Most accurate data
1. Good Scientific Information Existing Cons. Plans Data Layers Models Research Experts
Circa 1800 Vegetation ID potentially unchanged natural lands Based on General Land Office Surveys (early 1800s) County maps available online from Michigan Natural Features Inventory GIS files available online from the Michigan Geographic Data Library
Sensitive Species Information > 400 species of plants and animals are legally listed in MI. Another 265 are listed as special concern. Maps available by watershed and county EO Frequency map EO Probability map Bio-rarity map Biological rarity map (> 1985)
Modeling: Species Locations Smallmouth Salamander (E) % of forest, wetland in a 150 m radius Circa 1800 Vegetation Proximity to indicator species Proximity to select NWI wetland types Elevation, slope, topo wetness index Surficial geology class
Modeling: Important Areas Natural Resource Info Land cover/land use Aerial photos Hydrology Roads Circa 1800 vegetation Biorarity index Applied conservation principles
Best: Recent Field Surveys Natural Communities Reference sites Good species habitat Focal points for conservation
1. Good Scientific Information Local Resources of Information include: Local chapter of Audubon Society Michigan Botanical Club Frog & Toad Surveyors Local Land Conservancies Local nature centers Universities Community Colleges Watershed Councils Long-time residents DNR and DEQ biologists NRCS or SCD staff
1. Good Scientific Information A Compelling Landscape Story: Sense of Place Understanding of landscape history Context for better land use decisions ID best cons./restoration opportunities Engage public
5 Key Elements 1. Good Information/Data 2. Values/Paradigms 3. Right Scale/Ecological Frameworks 4. Robust Tools/Planning Framework 5. Meaningful Partnerships/Connections
2. Values and Paradigms Rarity Ecological Processes Viability Representation - Communities, species, systems, etc Aesthetics Clean water Recreation People manage landscapes we need to do a better job of both capturing the public s values as well as influencing those values.
2. Values and Paradigms Common Critically imperiled G5/S5 G5/S4 G3/S1 G1/S1 Mallard Osprey Piping Plover Kirtland s warbler G4/S3 G3/S3 G3/S2 G1/S1 Mesic Northern forest Open dune Dry sand prairie Lakeplain wetmesic prairie
2. Values and Paradigms Representation (diversity) Ensure a minimum number of high quality examples of each type known to occur in your area Grassland Up. deciduous forest Non-forested wetland Lowland forest Upland conifer forest
2. Values and Paradigms Ecosystem Services Water quality and flood retention Timber production Recreation Crop pollination Wildlife habitat
5 Key Elements 1. Good Information/Data 2. Values/Paradigms 3. Right Scale/Ecological Frameworks 4. Robust Tools/Planning Framework 5. Meaningful Partnerships/Connections
2. Scale and Frameworks Florida State Regional Saginaw Bay County Oakland Co. Community Meridian Twp.
2. Scale and Frameworks Level III Ecoregions of the US (EPA) Albert Regional Landscape Ecoregions of MI (Sections, subsections, and sub-subsections)
2. Scale and Frameworks High Quality natural communities (> B/C rank) Best 2 EO s per sub-subsection for each rare species
2. Scale and Frameworks 5 Lake Basins + SL Seaway 5 Basins; 11 coastal units (LM BCS) 6 Ecological Drainage Units (TNC)
2. Scale and Frameworks Rare species richness per river mile by sub-watershed Functional Sub- Watershed analysis
2. Scale and Frameworks So, how do you divide up the landscape? Driven by your targets
5 Key Elements 1. Good Information/Data 2. Right Scale/Ecological Frameworks 3. Values/Paradigms 4. Robust Tools/Planning Framework 5. Meaningful Partnerships/Connections
4. Tools/Planning Framework Organize and Document Comprehensive Framework Inform Decisions Guide future actions ID Info gaps Geo-Spatial Prioritization
4. Tools/Planning Framework Open Standards Adaptive Management Using Results to Adapt & Improve Using Analyze Results actions & to data Adapt Learn & from Improve results Adapt project Share findings Defining Your Project Defining Your Project Project people Project scope & focal targets Conservation Action Planning Implementing Strategies & Measures Implementing Develop Strategies workplans & Implement Measures actions Implement measures Developing Strategies & Measures Developing Target viability Strategies Critical threats & Measures Situation analysis Objectives & actions Measures
4. Tools/Planning Framework Open Source Software Conservation Measures Partnership Managing conservation project information Follows CAP or Open Standards Focus on documentation Create reports
4. Tools/Planning Framework NatureServe Vista Spatial Analysis Weight Conservation Values Model Ecological Condition Assess Cumulative Impacts Create Conservation Solutions
4. Tools/Planning Framework Green Infrastructure Planning Hubs Large intact natural landscapes Sites Smaller ecological landscape features, high quality natural communities Links Narrow patches of land that connect the hubs and sites together, facilitate the flow of ecological processes Ana of a Gre Sys
5 Key Elements 1. Good Information/Data 2. Right Scale/Ecological Frameworks 3. Values/Paradigms 4. Robust Tools/Planning Framework 5. Meaningful Partnerships/Connections
Foundation Right Scale/ecological frameworks Robust Tools/Planning Framework Meaningful Partnerships/ Connections Stakeholder Values/ Paradigms Good Scientific Information
Wide Ranging Benefits Engaging Stories Better Land Use Decisions Targeted Ecological Surveys Citizen Science Applied Research Inform Values
Questions? http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/