Post on 26-Jan-2015
description
Multi-species and Ecosystem Approaches to Species at Risk
Fiona Schmiegelow, University of Alberta
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Fine-filter = focusing on the needs
of species
Coarse-filter = conserving communities
An ecosystem approach;
implicitly multi-species.
May be multi-species, but
not implicitly an
ecosystem approach.
A. Description of the ecosystem approach
1. A strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that
promotes conservation and sustainable use.
2. Based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels
of biological organization, which encompass the essential structure, processes,
functions and interactions among organisms and their environment.
3. 'Ecosystem' means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism
communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit... the
scale of analysis and action should be determined by the problem being addressed.
4. Requires adaptive management to deal with the complex and dynamic nature of
ecosystems and the absence of complete knowledge or understanding of their
functioning. (and recognizes the precautionary principle)
5. Does not preclude other management and conservation approaches, such as …
single-species conservation programmes.
Ecosystem Approach
Principle 5: Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning should be a priority
target of the ecosystem approach.
Principle 6: Ecosystems must be managed within the limits of their functioning.
Principle 7: The ecosystem approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial
and temporal scales.
Principle 8: Recognizing the varying temporal scales and lag-effects that characterize
ecosystem processes, objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the
long term.
Principle 9: Management must recognize that change is inevitable.
Principle 10: The ecosystem approach should seek the appropriate balance between,
and integration of, conservation and use of biological diversity.
Ecosystem Approach
SARA : multi-species and ecosystem approaches
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SARA : multi-species and ecosystem approaches
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SARA : multi-species and ecosystem approaches
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Case Study Boreal Caribou
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Threats to Populations –
Habitat Loss and Alteration
Direct Effects
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Threats to Populations -
Habitat Loss and Alteration
Indirect Effects
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A Hierarchy of Habitat
1st order: Spp distribution;
extent of occurrence
2nd order: Range of local
populations
3rd order: Seasonal ranges
and calving sites
4th order: Foraging sites
1 The most
relevant scale at
which to consider
persistence of
local caribou
populations is
the range.
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Global Forest Watch Canada 2012 after Environment Canada 2011
Industrial Disturbances in Boreal Caribou
Ranges (industrial disturbances buffered by 500 m)
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Global Forest Watch Canada 2012 after Environment Canada 2011
Industrial and Fire Disturbances in
Boreal Caribou Ranges
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~70% of the variation in boreal caribou recruitment was explained by a composite measure of total disturbance.
(Environment Canada 2011)
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Population Risk Assessment across
Boreal Caribou Ranges in Canada
From Environment Canada 2012
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Population and Distribution Objectives
From Environment Canada 2012
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Critical Habitat Identification
From Environment Canada 2012
Principle 5: Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning should be a priority
target of the ecosystem approach.
Principle 6: Ecosystems must be managed within the limits of their functioning.
Principle 7: The ecosystem approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial
and temporal scales.
Principle 8: Recognizing the varying temporal scales and lag-effects that characterize
ecosystem processes, objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the
long term.
Principle 9: Management must recognize that change is inevitable.
Principle 10: The ecosystem approach should seek the appropriate balance between,
and integration of, conservation and use of biological diversity.
Ecosystem Approach
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Boersma et al. 2001
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Taylor et al. 2001
SARA : multi-species and ecosystem approaches
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A Case in Point
Unnasch and Karl 2012
What’s going on
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Multi-species and Ecosystem Approaches to Species at Risk
Fiona Schmiegelow, University of Alberta