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Purpose & Need Approac h Applications Outlook

Purpose & Need Approac h Applications Outlook. 1. North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Decision-Support Tools for Conservation. Kevin McGarigal , University of Massachusetts (and the North Atlantic LCC team).

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Purpose & Need Approac h Applications Outlook

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  1. Purpose & Need Approach Applications Outlook 1 North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Decision-Support Tools for Conservation Kevin McGarigal, University of Massachusetts (and the North Atlantic LCC team)

  2. Purpose & Need Approach Applications Outlook 2 Utilizing a complementary coarse- and fine-filtered approaches

  3. Purpose & Need Approach Applications Outlook 3 Our fine filter is based on the concept of habitat capability (and population persistence where feasible) applied to a suite of designated representative species • Habitat capability refers to the ability of the environment to provide the local resources (e.g, food, cover, nest sites) needed for survival and reproduction in sufficient quantity, quality and arrangement to meet the life history requirements of individuals and local populations

  4. How representative within NALCC? Sensitivity to climate & habitat changes How practical to monitor? Availability of baseline data Results of species-habitat cluster analysis (UMass) Expert opinion at workshops 4 Representative Species GOAL: Identify a list of representative species for designing conservation & management strategies that will most effectively sustain the identified fish and wildlife populations in the face of land use change, climate change, and other stressors occurring within the North Atlantic LCC.

  5. Purpose & Need Approach Applications Outlook 5 Our coarse filter is based generally on the concept of ecological integrity applied to a suite of designated ecological systems • Ecological integrity refers to the capability of an area to sustain ecological functions over the longterm; in particular, the ability to support biodiversity and the ecosystem processes necessary to sustain biodiversity over the long term in the face of disturbance and stress

  6. 6 Purpose & Need Approach Applications Outlook 5 Model outcomes: Coarse-fine filter evaluation • Identify a strategy for maximizing the complementarity of the coarse and fine filters Top 20% (plus buffer) wood turtle habitat Top 20% ecological integrity

  7. Purpose & Need Approach Applications Outlook 7 Most notably, we are building a landscape change model to simulate changes in ecological integrity and habitat capability driven by urban growth, climate change and other anthropogenic (e.g. timber harvest) and natural disturbances (e.g., fire) Piloted in 3 watersheds: • Kennebec (15,264 km2) • Lower Connecticut (8,579 km2) • James (16,747 km2)

  8. Purpose & Need Approach Applications Outlook 8 Project outlook • Pilot study complete May 2012 • Next steps: • Expand to full NALCC • Develop additional modules (drivers) • Upgrade wildlife models to occupancy/population • Sustainable landscape design algorithms (scenario analysis) • www.umass.edu/landeco/research/nalcc/nalcc.html • www.fws.gov/northeast/science/nalcc.html

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