Ecosystem Approaches to Conservation

1
Chapter 13

• Ecosystem Approaches to Conservation

2
Ecosystem Approach

• Considers the interaction between human and
  natural systems on both spatial (area) and
  temporal (time) scales
• Includes broad spectrum of perspectives
• Ecology of the system
• Socioeconomic perspectives
• Institutional perspectives

3
Ecosystem Approach

• An approach to maintaining or restoring the
  composition, structure, and function of natural
  and modified ecosystems for the goal of long-term
  ecological and human sustainability. It is based
  on a collaboratively developed vision of desired
  future conditions that integrates ecological,
  socioeconomic, and institutional perspectives,
  applied within a geographic framework defined
  primarily by natural ecological boundaries.
• See Figure 13.1

4
Elements of Ecosystem Approach

• Time
• Both present AND indefinite future
• Space
• Protected areas influence (and are influenced by)
  landscapes around the borders
• Species needs often scale-based
• Inclusion
• Human dimensions (LOTS of them)

5
Stakeholders

• Humans that should be included in an ecosystem
  conservation approach
• Including but not limited to
• Resource-dependent interests
• Proximate to the area
• Paying for the resource
• Decision-makers

6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
(No Transcript)
9
(No Transcript)
10
Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP)

• In response to Spotted Owl Conflict
• A successful agreement between opposing
  stakeholders
• Public agencies
• Timber interests (companies and loggers)
• Conservation groups (Sierra Club, Audubon)
• Affected citizens

11
Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP)

• Identified key protection areas and promoted
  connectivity among them
• Initiated employment programs for training in
  restoration activities
• Advocated adaptive management of forest resources

12
Ecosystems asManagement Units
13
Ecosystems as Management Units

• Ecosystem
• A community of organisms interacting among
  themselves and with their physical environment
• People included in these systems
• Management of ecosystems usually includes more
  than one type of ecosystem

14
Ecosystems as Management Units

• Such large areas can appear to be indefinite, or
  too large to manage altogether
• Where do we (or should we) define boundaries of
  management areas that include multiple ecosystems?

15
Boundaries of Managed Ecosystem

• At least one biophysical area should be
  completely included
• Inclusion of additional biophysical areas should
  depend on the degree of functional linkage
• Without functional linkage, are multiple
  biophysical areas susceptible to same
  environmental stresses?

16
Population Needs

• Populations that exist in biophysical areas
  considered for management may dictate boundaries

17
Functional Landscape Mosaic

• WHERE food resources are located influence which
  food resources will be used.
• AVAILABILITY fluctuates among areas of an
  ecosystem
• UNUSABLE parts of the landscape exist not because
  of unsuitability, but because of predation risk

18
Recall

• Three elements of ecosystem approach
• Temporal
• Spatial
• Inclusion
• Functional Landscape Mosaic is one example of an
  ecosystem approach that applies spatial context

19
Ecosystem Dynamics

• The ranges of variation in the structure and
  function of an ecosystem
• Unique to different ecosystems
• Short-term variation more easily observed than
  variation over several decades
• Variation in response to regular vs one-time
  environmental episodes?

20
Ecosystem Resilience

• Resilience ability to recover or bounce back
  after a disturbance
• Resilience to one type of disturbance does not
  imply same response to all disturbances
• For ecosystems that rely on occasional
  disturbance, lack of disturbance events can lead
  to change in structure

21
Adaptive Management

• Applied in an experimental way such that mgmt can
  respond to changes
• Complexity inherent in ecosystems almost requires
  adaptive approach
• Allows for continual monitoring and refinement of
  mgmt objectives
• Errors in mgmt improve knowledge of system and
  should be shared

22
Goal of Management

• To mimic historically natural levels and
  frequencies of disturbance?
• To attempt to maintain ecosystem structure and
  function in the face of surrounding development?

23
Goal of Management

• Ideally, management should incorporate both
  historical context and promote ability to adapt
  to future environmental conditions
• Historical context how ecosystem was affected by
  natural disturbances, and how these natural
  disturbances occurred
• Ability to adapt must be maintained (if not
  improved)

24
Participatory Decision-Making

• Effort to include human elements in the
  management of an ecosystem
• US agencies
• Scientists
• Associated landowners or industry representatives
• The public at-large?

25
Challenges in Participatory Decision-Making

• Stakeholders often have different perspectives
  short-term self-interest vs long-term resource
  sustainability
• Some stakeholders must be willing to give up
  institutional territoriality
• Fostering collaboration among disparate groups

26
Review

• Three elements of ecosystem approach
• Time (Temporal)
• Ecosystem dynamics and resilience through
  Adaptive Management
• Space (Spatial)
• Functional Landscape Mosaic
• Inclusive
• Participatory Decision-Making Process

27
Ecosystem Management Approach

• Includes relatively even mixture of ecological,
  socioeconomic, and institutional considerations
• More partnerships and greater collaboration
• Case Study 13.1