Leona K. Svancara

Policy-driven versus Evidence-based Conservation: A Review of Political Targets and Biological Needs

Abstract “How much is enough?” is a question that conservationists, scientists, and policymakers have struggled with for years in conservation planning. To answer this question, and to ensure the long-term protection of biodiversity, many have sought to establish quantitative targets or goals based on the percentage of area in a country or region that is conserved. In recent years, policy-driven targets have frequently been faulted for their lack of biological foundation. In this manuscript, we reviewed 159 articles reporting or proposing 222 conservation targets and assessed differences between policy-driven and evidence-based approaches. Our findings suggest that the average percentages of area recommended for evidence-based targets were nearly three times as high as those recommended in policy-driven approaches. Implementing a minimalist, policy-driven approach to conservation could result in unanticipated decreases in species numbers and increases in the number of endangered species.

Representation of Ecological Systems within the Protected Areas Network of the Continental United States

If conservation of biodiversity is the goal, then the protected areas network of the continental US may be one of our best conservation tools for safeguarding ecological systems (i.e., vegetation communities). We evaluated representation of ecological systems in the current protected areas network and found insufficient representation at three vegetation community levels within lower elevations and moderate to high productivity soils. We used national-level data for ecological systems and a protected areas database to explore alternative ways we might be able to increase representation of ecological systems within the continental US. By following one or more of these alternatives it may be possible to increase the representation of ecological systems in the protected areas network both quantitatively (from 10% up to 39%) and geographically and come closer to meeting the suggested Convention on Biological Diversity target of 17% for terrestrial areas. We used the Landscape Conservation Cooperative framework for regional analysis and found that increased conservation on some private and public lands may be important to the conservation of ecological systems in Western US, while increased public-private partnerships may be important in the conservation of ecological systems in Eastern US. We have not assessed the pros and cons of following the national or regional alternatives, but rather present them as possibilities that may be considered and evaluated as decisions are made to increase the representation of ecological systems in the protected areas network across their range of ecological, geographical, and geophysical occurrence in the continental US into the future.

Prioritizing Habitat for Surveys of an Uncommon Mammal: A Modeling Approach Applied to Pygmy Rabbits

Abstract Determining occurrence and distribution is an essential 1st step in conservation planning for rare species. Spatial habitat models can be used to increase efficiency of field surveys and to improve understanding about factors influencing animal distributions. We used a modeling approach to identify and prioritize potential habitat for survey efforts for an uncommon mammal, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), for which detailed habitat data are limited. A base map of potential habitat in Idaho was defined using vegetation type and soil depth data. Documented locations (n = 164) were used to evaluate additional habitat variables to prioritize the potential habitat for surveys. We conducted field surveys to evaluate the predicted habitat attributes and document presence or absence of the species. Newly confirmed occurrences (n = 112) and absences (n = 139) were used to assess accuracy in predicting habitat priority ratings. Overall model accuracy was 65%. Eighty-four percent of the new occurrences were located in the 2 highest priority ranks, and <0.4% were located in the 2 lowest priority ranks. We offer several examples of how survey results can be used to improve the habitat model and increase efficiency of future survey efforts.

The Inherent Aggravation of Aggregation: An Example with Elk Aerial Survey Data

One of the primary challenges in spatial analysis is the sensitivity of statistical results to the definition of spatial units over which data are collected. In the geographical literature, this sensitivity is known as the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP), and results have been shown to vary with both the level and the configuration of aggregation. We explored the effect of the MAUP on statistical relationships between elk (Certus elaphus) recruitment and 3 independent variables when game management units were aggregated to 3 different levels in 3 configurations. Changes in variances, correlation coefficients, regression parameters, and model fit were inconsistent across aggregations and as dependent on the particular variable of interest as on the level or configuration of aggregation. While this appears to be I of the first research efforts demonstrating effects of the MAUP in wildlife survey data, more studies are likely to be challenged by the MAUP due to the significant increase in broad-scale research and regional management. We pose fundamental questions that must be considered before conducting spatial analyses of aggregated data.

Conflation of Values and Science: Response to Noss et al.

GEORGE F. WILHERE,∗ LYNN A. MAGUIRE,† J. MICHAEL SCOTT,‡ JANET L. RACHLOW,‡ DALE D. GOBLE,§ AND LEONA K. SVANCARA∗∗ ∗Habitat Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA 98501, U.S.A., email wilhegfw@dfw.wa.gov †Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708-0328, U.S.A. ‡Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1136, U.S.A. §College of Law, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, U.S.A. ∗∗Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Moscow, ID 83844, U.S.A.

Incorporating Wildlife Conservation into County Comprehensive Plans: A GIS Approach

Abstract Within the United States (U.S.), state wildlife agencies are required to identify Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), the factors that impact these species, and the conservation actions needed to conserve these species through documentation of a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS). While the identification of SGCN represents an essential first step towards a comprehensive management strategy at the state level, the incorporation of this information into county level comprehensive plans will likely increase conservation efforts needed statewide. Our objective for this study was to use spatial data to delineate areas of human activity overlapping with areas rich in biodiversity to provide state wildlife agencies and local county planners recommended conservation actions to reduce biodiversity loss by human activities. Using the state of Idaho as an example, we delineated areas within the state where biodiversity hotspots for terrestrial and aquatic SGCN and human activities may be conflicting. We then identified counties within the state where these areas of conflict occur and identified conservation actions that may mitigate human activities to benefit SGCN. Our study used available geospatial data and a simple geographical information system (GIS) based approach which could be applied to other areas to support county-level land use planning for wildlife conservation.

Using a Distribution and Conservation Status Weighted Hotspot Approach to Identify Areas in Need of Conservation Action to Benefit Idaho Bird Species

Abstract Identification of biodiversity hotspots (hereafter, hotspots) has become a common strategy to delineate important areas for wildlife conservation. However, the use of hotspots has not often incorporated important habitat types, ecosystem services, anthropogenic activity, or consistency in identifying important conservation areas. The purpose of this study was to identify hotspots to improve avian conservation efforts for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the state of Idaho, United States. We evaluated multiple approaches to define hotspots and used a unique approach based on weighting species by their distribution size and conservation status to identify hotspot areas. All hotspot approaches identified bodies of water (Bear Lake, Grays Lake, and American Falls Reservoir) as important hotspots for Idaho avian SGCN, but we found that the weighted approach produced more congruent hotspot areas when compared to other hotspot approaches. To incorporate anthropogenic activity into hotspot analysis, we grouped species based on their sensitivity to specific human threats (i.e., urban development, agriculture, fire suppression, grazing, roads, and logging) and identified ecological sections within Idaho that may require specific conservation actions to address these human threats using the weighted approach. The Snake River Basalts and Overthrust Mountains ecological sections were important areas for potential implementation of conservation actions to conserve biodiversity. Our approach to identifying hotspots may be useful as part of a larger conservation strategy to aid land managers or local governments in applying conservation actions on the ground.

A New Framework for Spatio-temporal Climate Change Impact Assessment for Terrestrial Wildlife.

Abstract We describe a first step framework for climate change species’ impact assessments that produces spatially and temporally heterogeneous models of climate impacts. Case study results are provided for great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) in Idaho as an example of framework application. This framework applies species-specific sensitivity weights to spatial and seasonal models of climate exposure to produce spatial and seasonal models of climate impact. We also evaluated three methods of calculating sensitivity by comparing spatial models of combined exposure and sensitivity. We found the methods used to calculated sensitivity showed little difference, except where sensitivity was directional (i.e., more sensitive to an increase in temperature than a decrease). This approach may assist in the development of State Wildlife Action Plans and other wildlife management plans in the face of potential future climate change.