1 / 30

Measuring What Matters: The Nature Conservancy’s Approach to Ecological Integrity Measurement

Measuring What Matters: The Nature Conservancy’s Approach to Ecological Integrity Measurement. Jeffrey Parrish. Elements of Eval-uation. Elements of Eval-uation. Context Where are we now?. Context Where are we now?. Planning Where do we want to be?. Planning Where do we want to be?.

cecilia-porter
Télécharger la présentation

Measuring What Matters: The Nature Conservancy’s Approach to Ecological Integrity Measurement

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Measuring What Matters:The Nature Conservancy’s Approach to Ecological Integrity Measurement Jeffrey Parrish

  2. Elements • of Eval-uation • Elements • of Eval-uation • Context • Where are we now? • Context • Where are we now? • PlanningWhere do we want to be? • PlanningWhere do we want to be? • Inputs • What do we need? • Inputs • What do we need? • Process • How do we go about it? • Process • How do we go about it? • Outputs • What were the results? • Outputs • What were the results? • Outcomes • What did we achieve? • Outcomes • What did we achieve? Take home messages WCPA Assessment Framework • Ecological Integrity is an under-addressed, yet CRITICAL, aspect of PA management effectiveness. • Recommendations from WPC should emphasize EI measurement. • TNC, among others, offers a framework and tools for EI measurement.

  3. The Nature Conservancy • The Mission of the Nature Conservancy • is to conserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive • global organization • 50-year history of conservation results • science-based • partner-oriented • consistent, proven framework for mission success

  4. The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Approach Set Priorities Ecoregional Assessments Develop Strategies Measure Success Take Action

  5. The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Approach Set Priorities Ecoregional Assessments Develop Strategies 5-S Framework Measure Success 5-S Framework Take Action

  6. Success Measures Stresses Sources Strategies Integrated Approach to Planning and Monitoring: The 5-S Framework Systems • Emphasis on Outcome Measures • Threat Status • Ecological Integrity

  7. Why measure ecological integrity? For Biodiversity Parks: • Ultimate conservation goal: Improve/maintain biodiversity and requisite ecological features • Comprehensively assess threats to targets • Set quantifiable, credible objectives for conservation projects • Develop and prioritize monitoring plans • Identify and prioritize research needs • Inspire and galvanize stakeholders re the changing status of the natural world Target Viability Assessment

  8. one day….

  9. Assessing Ecological Integrity: 3 Categories What did we do before? • 1. Size • Abundance and/or demographics of the population/community • 2. Condition • Composition, structure, & biotic interactions • 3. Landscape Context • Landscape-scale ecological processes, adjacency and connectivity Rated as Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor

  10. Excel-based “5-S Workbook” What did we do before?  No clear and consistent definition of ratings Little science rigor Documentation optional and sparse

  11. An answer: TNC’s framework and tools for improved integrity assessment

  12. Based on broad piloting & engagement... • Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica • Corales del Rosario, Colombia • Longleaf, Texas, USA • Santa Cruz Island, California, USA • Serra do Divisor, Brazil • Condor Bioreserve, Ecuador • Pacaya Samiria, Peru • Lake Wales Ridge, Florida, USA • Pohnopei, Micronesia • Sequoia, California, USA • Punta Curinanco, Chile • Neversink, New York, USA • Cockpit Country, Jamaica

  13. Identify Indicator(s) for Key Attributes Rate Indicator Status • Integrate Indicator Ratings to Determine Status of: • Key Ecological Attributes • Specific Elements of Biodiversity • Integrity of Entire Protected Area of Landscape The answer: framework and tools for improved integrity assessment Identify Key Ecological Attributes for Focal Biodiversity

  14. 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s) 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity

  15. 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s) • Select a limited number of elements of biodiversity that • Will be the focus of Conservation Planning and Action • Will represent all biodiversity at the site • (including marine, aquatic, and terrestrial, biodiversity) 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity

  16. 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s) • Punta Curiñanco • Valdivian Temperate Forest Ecoregion, Chile • Olivillo evergreen broadleaf forest • Intertidal marine communities • Pudú • Guiña • Sea Otter • 1st and 2nd order streams and associated riparian systems Identify focal biodiversity

  17. 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s) Key Ecological Attributes • Factors of target ecology that define or characterize the target, limit its distribution, or determine its variation over space and time • Attributes of: • biological composition • spatial structure • biotic interactions • environmental regimes (both abiotic and biotic processes) • environmental and ecological connectivity • Size, Condition, and Landscape Context

  18. 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s) Indicators • Measurable entities used to assess status and trends of Key Ecological Attribute(s). • Should be: • biologically relevant (reflect target health) • socially relevant (recognized by stakeholders) • sensitive to anthropogenic stress (reflect threats) • anticipatory (early warning) • relatively easy to measure • cost-effective (max. information/unit effort)

  19. Rate Status of Key Attributes (using indicators) 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s) • Virtually all key attributes vary naturally over time. • If variations result from non-human factors: can be said to be “natural,”or at least “acceptable.” • All conservation action is aimed at managing biodiversity’s key attributes within their acceptable range of variation. • We can not consider biodiversity “conserved” unless all its key attributes are maintained within these acceptable ranges of variation.

  20. Very Good: Ecologically desirable status; Requires little intervention for maintenance Good: Indicator w/in acceptable range of variation; Some intervention required for maintenance Poor: Restoration increasingly difficult; May result in extirpation Fair: Outside acceptable range of variation; Requires human intervention 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s)

  21. When data are lacking… • Compare to reference systems or places • Use experts • Treat as iterative, treat as hypothesis • Develop criteria for at least on key attribute • Focus on “Fair” & “Good” – conserved, or not. • Use gaps to drive research priorities

  22. Very Good Majority of key attributes are rated Very Good Majority of key attributes are rated Good (within their acceptable ranges of variation) Good One or more key attributes are rated Fair (outside its acceptable range of variation) Fair One or more key attributes are rated Poor (difficult to restore) Poor 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s) Rating Biodiversity Integrity If: Biodiversity Elements’ Ecological Integrity is Rated

  23. Overall Target Viability and Project Biodiversity Health summary - Cosumnes River Reserve, California + + = 5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity 1. Identify Focal Biodiversity 2. Identify Key Attributes 4. Rate Indicator Status 3. Identify Indicator(s) Rating Overall Ecological Integrity for Biodiversity Elements & for Ecological Integrity of a Park or Landscape

  24. Integrity measures influence priorities & are essential for adaptive management • Improves threats assessments • Prioritizes conservation investments • Bounds what activities inside and outside PA’s are acceptable: defines “sustainable” • Informs monitoring programs • Documents success and continued challenges in Protected Area management

  25. Case studies in measuring ecological integrity • Silvia Benítez, Ecuador: • Condor Bioreserve • Long Yongcheng, China: • Laojunshan, Yunnan Province • Nestor Windevoxhel, Guatemala: • Central America • Fiona Leverington, Australia: • Queensland National Park System • Gilles Seutin, Canada: • Banff and Fathom Five Reserve, Canada

  26. Summary • Ecological Integrity Measures are essential for determining ultimate outcomes in biodiversity parks • Tool are available from TNC for scientifically credible and consistent measurement • Measure Key Ecological Attributes & their status relative to natural/acceptable ranges of variation • Biodiversity is conserved when all key attributes are within acceptable ranges • Use ecological integrity results to drive investments in action, monitoring, stakeholder awareness and research

  27. Key Themes • Importance of Ecological Integrity Measurement for Protected Area Management • Advances in tool development to facilitate measuring ecological outcomes • Challenges of limited data and resources • Experiences in measuring ecological integrity and using results for adaptive management.

  28. Housekeeping • Revised Agenda • Materials Available • Change of Rooms in the Afternoon … to 4-2 • Question and Answer Panel

More Related