Indicator Relationships: A Conceptual ModelForest Amount

Indicators 1 & 2

Spatial Arrangement

Indicator 5

Protected Status

Indicators 3 & 4

Distribution & Abundance of Spp

Range / Population Trends

Indicators 8 & 9

Indicators 6 & 7

Rarity & Extinction

6. Species richness

7. Conservation status

8. Range reduction

9. Population trends

Bird

sM

amm

alsAm

phib

ians

Rept

iles

Fish

Inve

rtsPl

ants

O

ther

Indicator

XXIX

IXXX I

Data Status -- Spatial

XII

XI

XI I I I

I

I

I

X - relatively complete I - incomplete

I

6. Species richness

7. Conservation status

8. Range reduction

9. Population trends

Bird

sM

amm

alsAm

phib

ians

Rept

iles

Fish

Inve

rtsPl

ants

O

ther

Indicator

XI

X

Data Status -- Temporal

I

I

I I I I

I

I

X - relatively complete I - incomplete

Indicator Adequacy (Flather and Riitters 2004)

• Do trends have an unambiguous interpretation?; Is the response predictable?

• Is there an empirical basis for the indicator rationale?

• Has a standard for comparison been defined?

• Are thresholds known?; How much is enough?

• Is the indicator sensitive?; Does it provide an early warning?

6. Species richness

7. Conservation status

8. Range reduction

9. Population trends

Unam

bigu

ous

Empi

rical

bas

isSt

anda

rdTh

resh

oldSe

nsitiv

e

Indicator

Indicator Adequacy (6-9)

√√

√√√

√√√

√

√ - Yes

?

? – Weak or uncertain

?

Species/Genetic Diversity -- Indicators 6-9Refinement Needs

• Test existing indicator set

Bird Richness Trends1975-1999

Species/Genetic Diversity -- Indicators 6-9Refinement Needs

• Define sustainability standards / thresholds for interpretation

1.00.90.80.70.60.50.40.30.20.10.0

0 10 20 30 40 50Habitat Amount

VeeryA

vera

ge O

ccup

ancy

60 70 80 90 100

Evidence of threshold behavior

Criterion 1 – General Refinement Need

• Test existing indicator set

Ecosystem Behavior Under StressS

tress

or

Nutrientpool Productivity

Speciesdiversity

Indicators

PollutionTA

ExoticsTA

Extremeevents

TA

ResourceExtraction

TA

–*

–*

––

–+

–+

––

**

**

**

–*

–*

––

Rapport et al. 1985. Am Nat

T = terrestrialA = aquatic

+ positive– negative

* uncertain

Summary: Stakeholder Thoughtson Refinement (Indicators 6-9)

Wording Issues Indicator Additions Indicator Deletions

- native species

- forest-dependent

- functional diversity

- exotics

- combine 6&7

- genetic indicators