Transcript Reserve design

Purposes of protected areas
• protect focal sp. / spp.
– umbrella species
• protect biodiversity (spp. richness, endemism)
• protect large, functioning ecosystems
BUT… how do we go about prioritizing?
Large-scale
conservation
planning
• ecoregions
• biodiversity hotspots
• limitation?
– inappropriate for finescale conservation
actions (i.e. protected
area selection)
GAP Analysis:
Proactive, multi-species approach to
identify areas of conservation priority, and
inform reserve planning and management
efforts.
Can be done at various spatial scales.
www.gap.uidaho.edu for more info
Groom et al, (2006)
Population viability analysis (PVA):
Method used to inform reserve system
planning efforts that focus on single species
that uses demographic and environmental
data (including variability) to model probability
of extinction. Can be based on population
sizes and/or size of landscape.
(Vos et al. 2001)
Reserve design issues
SLOSS
(Single Large or Several Small)
• single large reserve should be preferred to several
small reserves for nature conservation
- J. Diamond 1975
• agree or disagree?
• advantages / disadvantages to both approaches?
vs.
Single large
Rate
• Theory of Island Biogeography: species-area curve
– more spp. at equil. and w/ lower extinction rates
• protect
– patch interior spp.
(undisturbed habitat)
– high trophic level spp.
– communities / ecosystems
– poor dispersers
• but…
Number of Species
Several small
• small reserves maximize diversity… why?
– Locate areas of highest richness
• issue: what are you trying to conserve?
–
–
–
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species richness
rare spp.
taxonomic diversity
ecological / system processes
not necessarily concordant
Shape of reserve
• circular is ideal to minimize edge effect
• Also minimize
– within reserve dispersal distances
– extinction risk
• interaction of size and shape
• what are characteristics of focal spp./system?
Principles of reserve design
Generally Worse
degree of protection
size
fragmentation
number
Generally Better
Generally Worse
Connectivity corridors
Connectivity stepping stones
Habitat diversity
shape
Generally Better
Generally Worse
reserve composition
management
human presence
Generally Better
(Soulé 1991)
(Shafer 1997)
UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve
model
• 3 concentric zones
– core
– buffer
– transition
• 3 complementary functions
– conservation
– development
– logistic
Must consider how various factors influencing wildlife
are impacted when designing reserves as well:
•Fragmentation
•Climate change
•Disturbance regimes
•Add to this various human stakeholders and different
conservation goals and you have…
A complex problem with many answers. One
overarching message:
Don’t do the same thing everywhere