Post on 19-Jan-2016
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SCIENCE in California’s
Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs)
California Department of Fish and Game
Brenda S. Johnson, Ph.D.
California’s Human Population Growth
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1988 2000 2020
In Millions
Year
Resource Competition
Species at Risk in California
400+ Listed plants
200+ Listed animals
200+ Species of Special Concern
1000+ Sensitive plants (CNPS)
CALIFORNIANatural Community Conservation Planning Act
(1991, 2000, 2003)California Fish and Game Code
Chapter 10, Sections 2800-2835
UNITED STATES Endangered Species Act
(1973)Section 10(a) (HCPs) 1982
Five-Point Policy 2000
NCCP/HCP Goals Protect and recover biological diversity Prevent future species listings Allow compatible and appropriate use
Characteristics of Regional Conservation Plans
Locally-driven collaborative partnerships Broad geographic scope Ecosystem-based approach Long-term conservation and management Monitoring in perpetuity
Regional Conservation
Plans
2006
NCCP Science
Existing information Planning phase Implementation
Existing information(consultants and lead agencies)
Previously collected data Vegetation mapping (GIS) Other spatial data sets Local scientific expertise Museum records Existing monitoring programs
Planning Phase I(consulting team) Refinement of existing data New data collection Conceptual models Biological goals and objectives
Planning Phase II(independent science advisors) Review existing data Data gaps/research needs Species ecological requirements Conceptual models Biological goals and objectives Conservation and recovery principles
and strategies Scientific uncertainty and risk Potential for changed circumstances
Implementation(implementing entity)
adaptive management effectiveness monitoring targeted studies
“Monitoring is important, it is difficult, and it is often avoided or overlooked.”
Schoonmaker, P. and W. Luscombe. 2005. Habitat Monitoring: An Approach for Reporting Status and Trends for State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies. Prepared for Defenders of Wildlife.
CHALLENGES
Monitor covered species and ecosystem integrity
CHALLENGES
Monitor covered species and ecosystem integrity Scale up and integrate across
CHALLENGES Monitor covered species and ecosystem integrity Scale up and integrate across
CHALLENGES Monitor covered species and ecosystem integrity Scale up and integrate across Acknowledge high degree of uncertainty
CHALLENGES Monitor covered species and ecosystem integrity Scale up and integrate across Acknowledge high degree of uncertainty
– Reduce critical knowledge gaps – Scientific capacity– Resources– Flexibility
CHALLENGES Monitor covered species and ecosystem integrity Scale up and integrate across Acknowledge high degree of uncertainty Phase-in monitoring program development
MONITORING PROGRAM PHASES
Phase 1-- Inventory resources and identify relationships
Phase 2 – Pilot test monitoring and resolve critical uncertainties
Phase 3 – Long-term monitoring and adaptive management
CHALLENGES
Monitor covered species and ecosystem integrity Scale up and integrate across Acknowledge high degree of uncertainty Phase-in monitoring program development Stage implementation spatially
We need to
Think before monitoring Embrace complexity Use many brains Be strategic Have fun with uncertainty Analyze early and often Communicate progress
Habitat loss Due to land use change –
urbanization, grazing, agriculture
Invasive species coverHabitat alteration from invasive
plants
Trampling By vehicles, people, livestock
Fire???
Natural driversCurrent
Anthropogenic DriversClimateChangeClimateChange
Altered hydrology Due to water diversion, dams,
mining
Hydrology
Available habitat
Episodic floodscreate
openings
Number populations (patches)
Size of populations
Historical Anthropogenic Drivers
To be monitored for Ambrosia pumilla
A
BC
Management ResponsesA) Remove exotics (or see C)B) Restrict accessC) Restore flooding or mimic
disturbance that causes clearings
Soil compaction???
What have we really learned?
It hurts to think
What have we really learned?
It hurts to think Too many cooks can spoil the broth
What have we really learned?
It hurts to think Too many cooks can spoil the broth It costs a lot!
What have we really learned?
It hurts to think Too many cooks can spoil the broth It costs a lot!! There are trade-offs
What have we really learned?
It hurts to think Too many cooks can spoil the broth It costs a lot!!! There are trade-offs This is not the ivory tower
What have we really learned?
It hurts to think Too many cooks can spoil the broth It costs a lot!!!! There are trade-offs This is not the ivory tower Every monitoring program is different
What have we really learned?
It hurts to think Too many cooks can spoil the broth It costs a lot!!!!! There are trade-offs This is not the ivory tower Every monitoring program is different Close the loop
Progress!
New frontier
Progress!
New frontier We’ve got data!
Progress!
New frontier We’ve got data! We are learning
www.dfg.ca.gov/nccp