Partnerships for Ecosystem Services Research: three examples

Partnerships for Ecosystem Services Research:three examples Steve Colt & Aaron Poe UAA & Chugach National Forest sgcolt@uaa.alaska.edu & apoe@fs.fed.us Alaska EPSCoR 2012 All-hands May 24, 2012

Challenges of ES Research “the benefits people obtain from ecosystems” (MEA)

Challenges: multiple disciplines “the benefits people obtain from ecosystems” Eco-logy (natural science) Eco-nomics (social science)

More challenges • Multiple entities • science providers (FS, FWS, UAA, UAF…) • mgmt jurisdictions (FS, FWS, NPS, …) • funding sources • stakeholders / users / decision-makers (…)

Steve Colt Aaron Poe Greg Hayward Example 1: Chugach & KenaiClimate Vulnerability Assessment Chugach National Forest UAA – ISER, ENRI, AKNHP Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Forest Service Research - PNW UAF - SNAP National Park Service – SW AK Network USGS Climate Science Center State and Private Forestry NOAA – NMFS Habitat Conservation

Classrooms for ClimateMay 4 -7, 2011A Symposium on the changing Chugach, northernecosystems and the implications for science & society www.uaa.alaska.edu/classroomsforclimate

Project Purpose: Assess vulnerability of key ecosystem and social/economic services Useful to managers – set adaptation priorities Useful to constituents – make business decisions C Pat and Greg Hayward

It’s getting hot in here… Projected 2050-2059 Projected 2090-2099 Historical 1960-99

Adaptation

LCC boundaries as Sub-regions of Analysis

CLIMATE CHANGE Vulnerability Assessmnt Downscale Models Projections and trends Economic/Social/Ecological Characteristics SENSITIVITY EXPOSURE Degree to which asset is likely to be impacted Types and amounts of stress experienced by asset Adaptive Capacity Potential Impact Changes that may occur without adaptation action Ability to cope with expected change Describe Vulnerability

Five Emphasis Areas… Coasts and Sea-scapes Tourism, productive systems Snow and Ice Snow sports, visuals, hydrology, etc. Cultural Resources sites, historic districts and practices Salmon A defining ecological service of the region Vegetation and Species biome shift through lens of key tree species, important ungulates, and invasive species

Common Analysis Parameters.. • A2 and A1B emission scenarios • Down-scaled climate data for 20, 40, and 60 year horizons from SNAP • 1969-1990 historical range for baseline of observed • Focus on means and extremes…

FS experienced managing stressed -- ecosystems Northwest Forest Plan, Tongass LMP, Grassland management Forest Service ‘knows’ UNCERTAINTY… Therefore, FS is well positioned to play-- leadership role in management of wildlands • Managing in face of climate change -- WILL be different Different form of uncertaintyNeed different expertiseNeed careful ID of prioritiesCritical need for partnerships

Our first steps toward Forest Plan Revision… • Climate Vulnerability Assessment • Distinct Roles and Contributions --a landscape-values analysis with Dr. Shannon Donovan

Example 2 (2 min):ES in Mat-Su Borough The Nature Conservancy UAA-ISER Earth Economics, USFWS, Bulliitt Foundation, Greatland Trust, MSB Planning

Relationship of property values to ES • Fiscal impacts of alternative land use policies

3. Choice experiment Which services do people value, and how much?

Example 3 (2 min):Valuation of saltwater charter sport fishing in Southeast Alaska Ginny Fay, Darcy Dugan, Steve Colt Institute of Social and Economic Research University of Alaska Anchorage UAA-CNF Climate Symposium May 5, 2011 AK Conservation Fdn, Moore Fdn, BP-CP UA Fdn, Wilderness Society, ADF&G, UAA-ISER, UAF-SNAP

Helicopter-based dog mushing excursions, Juneau Interruption: Quiz: What SE Alaska tourism sub-industry generated $16 million in revenue from one activity in 2006?

Back to sport fishingHow much revenue from charter sport fish operations?Which communities get it? • ADF&G pre-existing (but dormant!) data • Quantity (fishing effort by area fished) • Interviews & Web • Price information • Business licenses & Web • associated reality checks

Results: Total SE AK: 143,000 clients 37,560 trips $73.5 million gross revenue

Example of geographic specificity

Variation in revenue per square km

Highest revenue per square km: Logbook Areas 101451 and 101452 averaged together $49,294 per square km

So What? • Collaboration can be same-time, same-place • Needs effort and commitment • Especially from middle-upper mgmt. of science provider institutions • (Got Match?) • Can also be asynchronous, “virtual” • Use existing data in new ways • Requires sharing • (Got Data?) • Funders pay piper; can call tune

References • N. Raheema, , , S. Coltb, , E. Fleishmanc, m, 1, , J. Talberthd, , P. Swedeene, , K.J. Boylef, , M. Ruddg, , R.D. Lopezh, 2, , D. Crockeri, , D. Bohanj, , T. O'Higginsk, , C. Willerl, , R.M. Boumansm, . 2012. Application of non-market valuation to California's coastal policy decisions. Marine Policy. Available online 23 February 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2012.01.005 • Fay, G.; Dugan, D.; Fay-Hiltner, I.; Wilson, M.; Colt, S. 2007. Testing a methodology for estimating the economic significance of saltwater charter fishing in Southeast Alaska. Anchorage: ISER. http://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/EconSE_Saltwater_Charter_Fish_070530.pdf

Partnerships for Ecosystem Services Research: three examples