ES 100: Biodiversity Conservation:ES 100: Biodiversity Conservation:

ECOSYSTEM BASED ECOSYSTEM BASED MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

September 12th, 2007

Approaches to Conservation

Single Species Management Endangered Species Act

Reductionist, Reactionary, Envt Vs. Economy

Ecosystem Based Management

Which Species to Protect?

Umbrella species

Flagship species

Keystone species

Species Protection

Minimum Viable Population (MVP) Inbreeding, genetic drift Genetic bottleneck Minimum Viable Area—habitat protection

The new trend……

Ecosystem Based Management (EBM)"EBM looks at all the links among living and nonliving

resources, rather than considering single issues in isolation . . . Instead of developing a management plan for one issue . . ., EBM focuses on the multiple activities occurring within specific areas that are defined by ecosystem, rather than political, boundaries."

US Ocean Commission Report, 2004

http://ebm.nceas.ucsb.edu/faq/definition/

Ecosystem Based Management Techniques Conservation Easements Tradable Development Rights Nature Preserves

Land-based Marine

Tradable Development Rights

Tradable Development Rights

Ecosystem Based Management Techniques Conservation Easements Tradable Development Rights Conservation Areas

Land-based Marine

Conservation Areas: where to protect?

Habitat Protection: Reserves

One large or many small? Shape? Connectivity?

SLOSS Debate: Single Large Or Several Small

Species-area curve

Management implications: Management implications:

•Small reserves: area = speciesSmall reserves: area = species

•As area increases, diminishing returnsAs area increases, diminishing returns

To consider:Genetic exchangeExtinction eventsEdge effectsFuture PressuresCost/Flexibility

Reserves…. Size matters!

Shape Matters too! Cores and Buffers:

Connectivity: Nodes and Corridors

Reserves are static…. Nature is not

Marine Protected Areas

“Any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, territorial, tribal or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection to part or all of the natural or cultural resources therein” (Executive Order 13158).

ZONING

How can MPA’s improve upon traditional management of individual fish stocks?

Marine Protected Areas

Channel Islands MPA Objectives:

• Protection of representative and unique habitats; Achievement of sustainable fisheries in the Channel

Islands; and Minimization of short-term economic losses to all

resource users.

CINMS MPA Process:

http://www.cinms.nos.noaa.gov/marineres/cp.html

"The best available science demonstrates that the minimum area set aside should be no lower than 30%, and perhaps 50%, of representative and unique marine habitats, features, and populations of interest in all bioregions of the CINMS. Because of the complexity upon which this estimate is based, evaluation of its effectiveness is necessary to determine whether alteration (reduction or increase) is appropriate based on future assessments." –Science Advisory Panel, CINMS

Science Advisory Panel sets Minimum Viable Area

“I do not believe that the MRWG can satisfy the goals of biodiversity protection and sustainable fisheries by breaking from some bottom-level of protection, as recommended by the Science Panel. There will be economic impacts, and we should work hard together in this community to equitably and responsibly deal with these impacts but not by compromising on Science Panels recommendation.”

-Dr. Michael McGinnis (in a letter explaining his resignation from the marine resources working group, CINMS)

The Trouble with Minimum Viable Area

Stakeholders Conservationists Commercial Fishermen (lobster, urchin, squid, kelp..) Recreational Fishermen Recreational Divers Tourist Boat Operators Scientists Others?????

How can we ‘optimize’ across multiple competing objectives?

Is there inherent conflict? SPILLOVER EFFECT?

Great Barrier Reef:MPA Zoning

Great Barrier Reef:MPA Zoning

GBR vs. CINMS MPA’s

Zoning (2 levels vs.7 levels)

Compensation for displaced fishermen

Decision-making (CINMS: consensus-based)

Community input (forum, transparency)

MPA’s: Will They Work?• Enforcement:

• Setting boundaries in the ocean• Paper-parks• Role of Technology

• Monitoring• BACI• Creating of jobs

•Unintended Consequences

Some Pro’s and Con’s of MPA’s

+ (can) protect long-term viability of fisheries+ decrease habitat destruction and bycatch+ promote non-extractive uses of marine areas+ establish ‘baseline’ for scientific studies

- Unintended consequence- Can’t fence in marine resources- Can’t fence out pollution, disruption in nearby areas

(some) Results are In:

(some) Results are In:

(some) Results are In:

Meta-Analysis Results:

The Future: Global MPA’s?At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, coastal nations pledged to turn the tide on this decline by creating nationalnetworks of marine parks by 2012. "But until now, it has been unclear how much it will cost countries to deliver on their promises," said Scott Burns, director of WWF's Marine Conservation program. "Making this commitment to marine protection will require international effort on an unprecedented scale. Just half a percent of the sea lies within marine

parks today, compared to 12 percent of the land."

Projected Cost: estimated $12.4 to 13.9 billion/yr for 30 percent coverage

Compared to:Compared to: Americans spend an estimated $20 billion on ice creamAnd 8 billion on facial cosmetics

Habitat Conservation Management Tools

Conceptual diagrams Collaboration (with stakeholders, community) Citizen science Mathematical/computer models GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Remote sensing Bioassessment Environmental Impact Reports

The new trend……ADAPTIVE management Treat Management as an experiment Learn from the past Allow for change in management approach ….reduces certainty ….funding issues

For tomorrow… Come to class ready to participate!!! Good luck on your finals!!!