ES 100: Biodiversity Conservation:
ECOSYSTEM BASED
MANAGEMENT
September 12th, 2007
Approaches to Conservation
Single Species Management
Endangered Species Act
Reductionist, Reactionary, Envt Vs. Economy
Ecosystem Based Management
Which Species to Protect?
Umbrella species
Flagship species
Keystone species
Species Protection
Minimum Viable Population (MVP)
Inbreeding, genetic drift
Genetic bottleneck
Minimum Viable Area—habitat protection
The new trend……
Ecosystem Based Management (EBM)
"EBM looks at all the links among living and nonliving
resources, rather than considering single issues in isolation . . .
Instead of developing a management plan for one issue . . ., EBM
focuses on the multiple activities occurring within specific areas
that are defined by ecosystem, rather than political, boundaries."
US Ocean Commission Report, 2004
http://ebm.nceas.ucsb.edu/faq/definition/
Ecosystem Based Management
Techniques
Conservation Easements
Tradable Development Rights
Nature Preserves
Land-based
Marine
Tradable Development Rights
Tradable Development Rights
Ecosystem Based Management
Techniques
Conservation Easements
Tradable Development Rights
Conservation Areas
Land-based
Marine
Conservation Areas: where to
protect?
Habitat Protection: Reserves
One large or many small?
Shape?
Connectivity?
SLOSS Debate: Single Large Or Several Small
Species-area curve
Management implications: To consider:
•Small reserves: area = species Genetic exchange
Extinction events
•As area increases, diminishing returns
Edge effects
Future Pressures
Cost/Flexibility
Reserves…. Size matters!
Shape Matters too! Cores and Buffers:
Connectivity: Nodes and Corridors
Reserves are static…. Nature is not
Marine Protected Areas
―Any area of the marine environment that has been reserved
by federal, state, territorial, tribal or local laws or
regulations to provide lasting protection to part or all of the
natural or cultural resources therein‖ (Executive Order
13158).
ZONING
How can MPA‘s improve upon traditional management of
individual fish stocks?
Marine Protected Areas
Channel Islands MPA Objectives:
• Protection of representative and unique habitats;
Achievement of sustainable fisheries in the Channel Islands; and
Minimization of short-term economic losses to all resource users.
CINMS MPA Process:
http://www.cinms.nos.noaa.gov/marineres/cp.html
Science Advisory Panel sets
Minimum Viable Area
"The best available science demonstrates that the minimum area set
aside should be no lower than 30%, and perhaps 50%, of representative
and unique marine habitats, features, and populations of interest in all
bioregions of the CINMS. Because of the complexity upon which this
estimate is based, evaluation of its effectiveness is necessary to
determine whether alteration (reduction or increase) is appropriate
based on future assessments." –Science Advisory Panel, CINMS
The Trouble with Minimum
Viable Area
“I do not believe that the MRWG can satisfy the goals of
biodiversity protection and sustainable fisheries by breaking
from some bottom-level of protection, as recommended by
the Science Panel. There will be economic impacts, and we
should work hard together in this community to equitably and
responsibly deal with these impacts but not by compromising
on Science Panels recommendation.‖
-Dr. Michael McGinnis (in a letter explaining his resignation from
the marine resources working group, CINMS)
Stakeholders
Conservationists
Commercial Fishermen (lobster, urchin, squid, kelp..)
Recreational Fishermen
Recreational Divers
Tourist Boat Operators
Scientists
Others?????
Is there inherent conflict? SPILLOVER EFFECT?
How can we ‘optimize’ across multiple competing objectives?
Great Barrier
Reef:
MPA Zoning
Great Barrier
Reef:
MPA Zoning
GBR vs. CINMS MPA‘s
Zoning (2 levels vs.7 levels)
Compensation for displaced fishermen
Decision-making (CINMS: consensus-based)
Community input (forum, transparency)
MPA‘s: Will They Work?
• Enforcement:
• Setting boundaries in the ocean
• Paper-parks
• Role of Technology
• Monitoring
• BACI
• Creating of jobs
•Unintended Consequences
Some Pro‘s and Con‘s of MPA‘s
+ (can) protect long-term viability of fisheries
+ decrease habitat destruction and bycatch
+ promote non-extractive uses of marine areas
+ establish ‗baseline‘ for scientific studies
- Unintended consequence
- Can‘t fence in marine resources
- Can‘t fence out pollution, disruption in nearby areas
(some) Results are In:
(some) Results are In:
(some) Results are In:
Meta-Analysis Results:
The Future: Global MPA‘s?
At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, coastal
nations pledged to turn the tide on this decline by creating national
networks of marine parks by 2012. "But until now, it has been unclear
how much it will cost countries to deliver on their promises," said Scott
Burns, director of WWF's Marine Conservation program. "Making this
commitment to marine protection will require international effort on an
unprecedented scale. Just half a percent of the sea lies within marine
parks today, compared to 12 percent of the land."
Projected Cost: estimated $12.4 to 13.9 billion/yr for 30 percent coverage
Compared to: Americans spend an estimated $20 billion on ice cream
And 8 billion on facial cosmetics
Habitat Conservation
Management Tools
Conceptual diagrams
Collaboration (with stakeholders, community)
Citizen science
Mathematical/computer models
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Remote sensing
Bioassessment
Environmental Impact Reports
The new trend……ADAPTIVE
management
Treat Management as an experiment
Learn from the past
Allow for change in management approach
….reduces certainty
….funding issues
For tomorrow…
Come to class ready to participate!!!
Good luck on your finals!!!