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