Wide-ranging Species Conservation The overwhelming message from population viability studies of large carnivores is that conservation planning must be undertaken at vast spatial scales and must consider connectivity... If maintaining viable populations of species that have large home ranges and are vulnerable to human activities is an objective, then the conservation planner must grapple with the design and management of entire landscapes. (Noss et al. 1996)
MERIT Panther Subteam Members and Co-authors: Author Affiliation Expertise Randy Kautz FFWCC Conservation planning Bob Kawula FFWCC GIS data analysis Tom Hoctor UF Landscape modeling Jane Comiskey UT Mathematical modeling Deborah Jansen BCNP Public land biologist Dawn Jennings USFWS Team leader John Kasbohm USFWS Recovery coordinator David Maehr UK Panther researcher Frank Mazzotti UF Wildlife and land use Roy McBride FFWCC Panther capture team Larry Richardson FPNWR Public land biologist Karen Root BGSU PVA modeling
Panther Subteam Goals: Identify areas essential to the long-term survival of the Florida panther in the wild. Identify landscape linkage(s) to habitats north of Caloosahatchee River to ensure future dispersal. Identify areas that could be restored to provide additional habitat for panthers. All of this work done in a best science, consensus-based reserve design process
Panther Habitat/Landscape Zones: Primary Zone Dispersal Zone Secondary Zone The Primary, Dispersal and Secondary zones comprise essential components of a landscape-scale conservation plan for the protection of a viable Florida panther population in south Florida.
Florida Panther Subteam of MERIT August 27-28, 2001 Final Boundaries of Primary Zone, Secondary Zone, and Dispersal Zone Primary zone Secondary zone Dispersal zone Public lands
Florida Ecological Greenways Network 2013 Update Goals Update the FEGN to identify a functionally connected statewide ecological network of public and private conservation lands that incorporates new and updated GIS data. Ensure the FEGN maximizes protection of high priority natural communities and species identified in the Florida State Wildlife Action Plan. Address climate change impacts to maximize the potential of Florida s native biodiversity to functionally respond to sea-level rise and other environmental changes.
2013 FEGN Update Panther Maxent Results
2013 FEGN Update Panther Circuitscape Results
New FEGN (2013)
CLIP Critical Lands & Waters Identification Project
Core Data Layers Resource Categories CLIP Database Schematic Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas Potential Habitat Richness Rare Spp. Habitat Conserv. Priorities Priority Natural Communities Biodiversity Aggregated CLIP Model FL Ecological Greenways Network Landscapes Landscape Integrity Index Significant Surface Waters Natural Floodplain Surface Water Wetlands Aquifer Recharge Groundwater 10 Marine Layers Marine
CLIP v3.0 Aggregated Priorities
CLIP and the Blueprint Cooperative Conservation Blueprint CLIP is the Science Expert science product A unified GIS application Stands alone Blueprint Builds on CLIP Cross links with social & economic priorities Creates GIS overlay
Blueprint Regional Pilot Study Areas Overall Coordination Mary Oakley & Tom Hoctor Ensure regional continuity Southwest Christine Small & Julie Morris Ecological connectivity work Northern Everglades Kim Love Landowner incentive work Focus on water
CCB Regional Pilot Project Elements Create a regional science-based map of landscapescale conservation priorities (a Regional CLIP). Work with federal, state, and local partners. Identify best potential routes for protecting ecological connectivity and other conservation priorities. Identify existing and proposed incentives. Work with strategic landowners to discuss conservation options including non-regulatory incentives relevant to selected corridor routes.
Draft Regional CLIP Priorities
CCB Subcommittee Corridors
Panther Habitat Data Synthesis Tom Hoctor, University of Florida Julie Morris, Wildlands Conservation Mike O Brien
University of Tennessee Panther Habitat Model
USFWS Panther Focal Areas
CCB Regional CLIP Priority Areas
University of Florida FEGN Panther Maxent Habitat Model
UT and Potential Panther Habitat Synthesis Model
Panther Habitat Overlay Model