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Rapid Measurement of Ecological Integrity May 10, 2012

Rapid Measurement of Ecological Integrity May 10, 2012. [. ]. Measuring Habitat/Biodiversity Outcomes Across Jurisdictions and Scales. A broad partnership is developing tools to address:. Measuring aspects of biodiversity condition Metrics for tracking biodiversity outcomes

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Rapid Measurement of Ecological Integrity May 10, 2012

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  1. Rapid Measurement of Ecological IntegrityMay 10, 2012 [ ] Measuring Habitat/Biodiversity Outcomes Across Jurisdictions and Scales

  2. A broad partnership is developing tools to address: • Measuring aspects of biodiversity condition • Metrics for tracking biodiversity outcomes • Consistent approach • Practical design • Sharing of tools and data

  3. Key questions for establishing habitat metrics

  4. Nested hierarchy of ecological units United States 7 biomes 47 ecoregions 191 macrogroups (NVC) Terrestrial ecological systems and land cover of the coterminous US, map produced by NatureServe 826 ecological systems

  5. Users of Ecological Systems and USNVC Classifications

  6. Which ones are targets for action?(examples) Wetlands (mitigation) Priority ecosystems and habitats for regulated species (planning and mitigation) Longleaf pine forests; fire stressed ecosystems (restoration) Habitats on state wildlife management areas (restoration and planning)

  7. How are they faring?Ecological integrity • The ability of an ecological system to support and maintain a community of organisms that has species composition, diversity, and functional organization comparable to those of natural habitats within a region • Define goals and objectives related to ecological integrity for: • Land management • Restoration and mitigation • Conservation metrics

  8. Ecological integrity Increasing ecological integrity Rank A Rank B Rank C Rank D Increasing disturbance Adapted from Faber-Langendoen et al. 2008

  9. Excellent integrity – A rank • Highest quality sites • Unfragmented landscape • Landscape area larger than minimum dynamic area • Exemplary size (e.g., area-dependent species) • Biotic/abiotic components well within natural range of variability • Invasives largely absent • Natural processes in place

  10. Poor integrity – D rank • Severely altered characteristics • Highly fragmented • Landscape well below minimum dynamic area • Size is small, e.g. unable to sustain area-dependent species. • Biotic/abiotic components severely altered from natural range of variability • Invasives abundant

  11. Setting Ecological Integrity Goals Ecosystem Conservation Goal Increasing ecological integrity Rank A Rank B Rank C Rank D Increasing human disturbance

  12. Ecological Integrity Monitoring Level 1) Remote assessment Level 2) Rapid field assessment Level 3) Intensive assessment

  13. Overall components of ecological integrity assessment Level 1 Remote Sensing Assessment ID reference sites Landscape context metrics Supplement status & trend plots Level 2 Rapid Assessment Verify reference sites Condition & buffer metrics Stressors Supplement S&T plots Level 3 Intensive Assessment Verify reference sites Condition metrics Sample design, S&T plots

  14. Level 1: Remote assessment Landscape context – Connectivity, surrounding land use, patch size, and stressors

  15. Level 1: Remote assessment

  16. Level 2: Rapid field assessment • Landscape characteristics • Vegetation cover and composition • Soil condition • Disturbance regimes • Wildlife abundance and composition • Stressors • Calibration of remote techniques

  17. Level 2: Rapid field assessment Photo plots as example 1957 2006

  18. Level 3: Intensive assessment

  19. Level 3: Intensive assessment • Landscape characteristics • Vegetation cover and composition • Soil condition • Disturbance regimes • Wildlife abundance and composition • Stressors • Calibration of remote and rapid techniques

  20. Steps to Implementation • Conduct assessment of current condition to determine ecological integrity • Identify limiting factors • Choose goal desired for site • Determine desired ecological conditions to meet the Ecological Integrity goal • Establish relevant Tier 1-3 monitoring design based on desired conditions • Collect data – conduct evaluation

  21. Ongoing partnerships to test and implement EIAs Wetlands restoration and measuring changes in wetlands nationally Assessment of habitat condition and management of ecosystem stressors Management and restoration of longleaf pine ecosystems; fire management nationwide Define conservation goals and measure management effectiveness

  22. Application of Ecological Integrity Monitoring and Evaluation Examples from State of Washington • WDFW Grazing Program • WDFW Wildlife Areas – Habitat Conservation Plans • State Wildlife Action Plan • EPA wetland condition assessments • Biodiversity Monitoring • Citizen Science

  23. Working in partnership, we can realize these benefits…

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