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Purposes of protected areas protect focal sp. / spp. –umbrella species protect biodiversity (spp....
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Transcript of Purposes of protected areas protect focal sp. / spp. –umbrella species protect biodiversity (spp....
Purposes of protected areas
• protect focal sp. / spp.– umbrella species
• protect biodiversity (spp. richness, endemism)
• protect large, functioning ecosystems
BUT… how do we go about prioritizing?
Large-scale conservation
planning• ecoregions• biodiversity hotspots
• limitation?– inappropriate for
fine-scale conservation actions (i.e. protected area selection)
GAP Analysis:
Proactive, multi-species approach to identify areas of conservation priority, and inform reserve planning and management efforts.
Can be done at various spatial scales.
www.gap.uidaho.edu for more infoGroom et al, (2006)
(Vos et al. 2001)
Population viability analysis (PVA):
Method used to inform reserve system planning efforts that focus on single species that uses demographic and environmental data (including variability) to model probability of extinction. Can be based on population sizes and/or size of landscape.
Reserve design issues SLOSS
(Single Large or Several Small)
• single large reserve should be preferred to several small reserves for nature conservation
- J. Diamond 1975
• agree or disagree? • advantages / disadvantages to both approaches?
vs.
Single large
• Theory of Island Biogeography: species-area curve– more spp. at equil. and w/ lower extinction rates
• protect – patch interior spp.
(undisturbed habitat)– high trophic level spp. – communities / ecosystems– poor dispersers
• but…
Imm
igration Extin
ctio
n
NearFar
Smal
l
Larg
e
Number of Species
Rate
Several small
• small reserves maximize diversity… why?– Locate areas of highest richness
• issue: what are you trying to conserve?– species richness– rare spp.– taxonomic diversity– ecological / system processes– not necessarily concordant
Shape of reserve
• circular is ideal to minimize edge effect• Also minimize
– within reserve dispersal distances– extinction risk
• interaction of size and shape• what are characteristics of focal
spp./system?
Principles of reserve design
degree of protection
size
fragmentation
number
Generally Worse Generally Better
Connectivity -corridors
Connectivity -
stepping stones
Habitat diversity
shape
Generally Worse Generally Better
UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve model
• 3 concentric zones– core– buffer– transition
• 3 complementary functions– conservation– development– logistic
Must consider how various factors influencing wildlife are impacted when designing reserves as well:
•Fragmentation
•Climate change
•Disturbance regimes
•Add to this various human stakeholders and different conservation goals and you have…
A complex problem with many answers. One overarching message:
Don’t do the same thing everywhere