Species Targets Summary

1. Species Targets Summary

2. Building on species and site outcomes • Our primary goal is to avoid species extinctions. • CI’s process of conservation planning starts with the identification of species outcomes, moves on to the identification of KBAs. Corridor identification and design builds on species outcomes and KBAs.

3. Species Targets • In the long-term, the persistence of most species will only be possible if we can manage those species few species will persist in KBAs if subpopulations are isolated through anthropogenic fragmentation and KBAs are surrounded by an inhospitable land and resource use matrix • All species outcomes are therefore targets for conservation at the landscape/ seascape scale. • But, some species are more likely to go extinct soon if not conserved at the landscape scale, while others will be ok for the short-term if protected at the site scale.

4. Criteria • Area-demanding species (e.g. large home range, nomadic and naturally occurring at a low density) • Migratory species (e.g. seasonal altitudinal migrants). Migration occurs at a range of scales, e.g. daily movements (often within sites), seasonal movements (often within landscapes, sometimes beyond landscape-scale). • Sub-populations isolated through anthropogenic habitat fragmentation.

5. Quantifying targets • In order to plan for species persistence, we need to quantify species targets. Various options have been considered, including Population Viability Analysis (PVAs) and Minimum Viable Population (MVP) estimates. • PVAs provide useful information on weakpoints in a species lifecycle, threats etc. but are data-demanding and context specific, and consequently do not provide a robust estimate of viable population size. • There is limited consensus on MVP estimates.

6. Quantifying targets (contd) • Our aim is to ensure that globally threatened species are no longer threatened (as indicated by IUCN Red List status), and to ensure that species not yet globally threatened do not become globally threatened. (Incorporate VU and NT into this to clarify.) • We therefore recommend using the threshold criteria between VU and NT status as a first cut for setting species targets. (Delete) • These criteria have evolved over several decades and have been peer-reviewed by a wide range of taxonomic specialists from different regions.* • Where species are not endemic to the hotspot/ hbwa, it will be necessary to assess the hotspot/ hbwa’s contribution to the global target.

7. Estimating area and connectivity requirements • For area targets, need to assess habitat/ resource needs. • For connectivity targets, need to assess movement needs and dispersal capabilities.* • For population targets, need to assess threats** – where threats indicate need for habitat protection beyond sites, use analysis of habitat/ resource requirements and population density data as the base case for estimating area requirements.

8. Area Connectivity Area-demanding Migratory Fragmented populations Integrating data • Build from a species-by-species approach to a set of biodiversity conservation corridors. • Use area-demanding species to estimate minimum size of a corridor. • For internal structure, perhaps best to start with migratory species and fragmented subpopulations then add on area-demanding species.

9. Research Questions Global research: • Analysis of globally threatened spp. (and paper) • Building in possible responses climate change (paper for SCB) • Evolutionary processes (paper by Brazil program) Applied research: • Test this approach in selected corridors • Building hydrological processes into selected corridors (possible collaboration with Wetlands International) • Decision support software

10. Decision Tools • Need to carry on testing and adapting existing decision support software

11. Exchange Mechanisms • Peer learning study visits – corridor (biodiversity science) experts from a number of different regions visit one corridor to ‘review’ design process and exchange lessons learned; • exchanges could be thematic; • e.g. one exchange every six months.