conservation planning

Conservation PlanningConservation Planningwith a focus onwith a focus on

Wildlife:Wildlife:Cores, Corridors, and BuffersCores, Corridors, and Buffers

Natural Resources Stewards Training Natural Resources Stewards Training Fall 2011Fall 2011

Protect resources for human benefitProtect resources for human benefit

Many reasons for conservation planningMany reasons for conservation planning

Maintain working landscapes and local economiesMaintain working landscapes and local economies


Conserve natural resourcesConserve natural resources


Planning with a vision for the future ecological Planning with a vision for the future ecological health of an areahealth of an area

Conservation to maintain Conservation to maintain natural processes natural processes


Conservation Planning for Wildlife:Conservation Planning for Wildlife:

Why be concerned?Why be concerned?

1930’s1930’s 1990’s1990’s

Development results in a direct loss of wildlife habitatDevelopment results in a direct loss of wildlife habitat

As land gets developed the As land gets developed the remaining habitat gets remaining habitat gets fragmented fragmented into smaller into smaller habitat blockshabitat blocks

ThisThis habitat fragmentation habitat fragmentation has many consequences has many consequences to wildlifeto wildlife

Conservation Planning for Wildlife:Conservation Planning for Wildlife:

Why be concerned?Why be concerned?

Consequences of habitat fragmentation to wildlife:Consequences of habitat fragmentation to wildlife:

As the size of a As the size of a habitat block habitat block decreases…decreases…

The number of The number of wildlife species wildlife species supported by the supported by the habitat block habitat block declinesdeclines

UndevelopedUndeveloped500-2500500-2500 acresacres

100-499100-499 acresacres

20-9920-99 acresacres

1-991-99 acres acres

Consequences of habitat fragmentation to wildlife:Consequences of habitat fragmentation to wildlife:As habitat block size decreases we see a shift toward more As habitat block size decreases we see a shift toward more “generalist” types of wildlife species (many of which are predators)“generalist” types of wildlife species (many of which are predators)

These species can utilize a variety of different types of food and These species can utilize a variety of different types of food and cover, and will tolerate living in close proximity with peoplecover, and will tolerate living in close proximity with people


As habitat block size decreases, wildlife species with large As habitat block size decreases, wildlife species with large home-ranges are lost from the landscapehome-ranges are lost from the landscape

bobcatbobcat fisherfisher goshawkgoshawk

Many of these species won’t tolerate Many of these species won’t tolerate human disturbance that is common in human disturbance that is common in

developed landscapesdeveloped landscapes


Ground-nesting birds are Ground-nesting birds are especially vulnerable to especially vulnerable to increased predation increased predation pressure associated with pressure associated with small habitat blockssmall habitat blocks

ovenbirdovenbird

Predation from house cats Predation from house cats is a significant form of is a significant form of mortality for songbirdsmortality for songbirds((and possibly for some reptiles and possibly for some reptiles and amphibians tooand amphibians too))


Predation by feral housecatsPredation by feral housecats is an important limiting factor is an important limiting factor inhibiting the recovery of the inhibiting the recovery of the endangered piping plover endangered piping plover population in Hampton and population in Hampton and Seabrook, New HampshireSeabrook, New Hampshire

piping ploverpiping plover


Roads, curbing, and lawns can Roads, curbing, and lawns can create barriers that limit the ability of create barriers that limit the ability of some wildlife to move between some wildlife to move between required habitats required habitats ((especially reptiles especially reptiles and amphibiansand amphibians))

Road-kill is a form of Road-kill is a form of mortality for many wildlife mortality for many wildlife speciesspecies

Road-kill can result in Road-kill can result in population declines for some population declines for some species such as Blanding’s species such as Blanding’s turtleturtle

NH State Endangered Blanding’s turtleNH State Endangered Blanding’s turtle

Consequences of habitat fragmentationConsequences of habitat fragmentation

Forcing wildlife to live in close proximity to people can result in Forcing wildlife to live in close proximity to people can result in a variety of human-wildlife conflicts…a variety of human-wildlife conflicts…

• Property damage or loss of human life Property damage or loss of human life due to vehicle collisions with wildlifedue to vehicle collisions with wildlife

• Deer browsing damage on Deer browsing damage on expensive ornamental plantingsexpensive ornamental plantings

• Disease transmission between Disease transmission between wildlife and peoplewildlife and people

While development is inevitable and While development is inevitable and some will even be required…some will even be required…

It is our role as natural resource professionals to assist in It is our role as natural resource professionals to assist in identifying ways for minimizing the impact that development can identifying ways for minimizing the impact that development can

have on wildlife and our natural resources have on wildlife and our natural resources

Who’s conserving land?Who’s conserving land?

State & Fed. Govt. State & Fed. Govt. State & Fed. Govt. State & Fed. Govt. Towns Towns Towns Towns

Non-ProfitsNon-ProfitsNon-ProfitsNon-Profits Regional & Local Land TrustsRegional & Local Land TrustsRegional & Local Land TrustsRegional & Local Land Trusts

Private IndividualsPrivate IndividualsPrivate IndividualsPrivate Individuals

Common tools for conserving landCommon tools for conserving land

Land-use zoningLand-use zoningLand-use zoningLand-use zoning

Purchase by conservation groupPurchase by conservation groupPurchase by conservation groupPurchase by conservation group

Permanent conservation easementPermanent conservation easementPermanent conservation easementPermanent conservation easement


Landowner sells or donates certain rights to their landLandowner sells or donates certain rights to their landLandowner sells or donates certain rights to their landLandowner sells or donates certain rights to their land

• Right to development the landRight to development the land

• Right to extract minerals or water commerciallyRight to extract minerals or water commercially

• Right to development the landRight to development the land

• Right to extract minerals or water commerciallyRight to extract minerals or water commercially

Most commonlyMost commonlypermanently removes:permanently removes:

Most commonlyMost commonlypermanently removes:permanently removes:

Conservation EasementsConservation EasementsConservation EasementsConservation Easements

allowable & allowable & restricted uses restricted uses

written into each written into each easement’s easement’s languagelanguage

allowable & allowable & restricted uses restricted uses

written into each written into each easement’s easement’s languagelanguage


• Fed/state/local govt., non-profit, land trustFed/state/local govt., non-profit, land trust

• Responsible for:Responsible for:

• Fed/state/local govt., non-profit, land trustFed/state/local govt., non-profit, land trust

• Responsible for:Responsible for:

• regular monitoring of easementregular monitoring of easement• regular monitoring of easementregular monitoring of easement

Conservation Easements – The “Easement Holder”Conservation Easements – The “Easement Holder”Conservation Easements – The “Easement Holder”Conservation Easements – The “Easement Holder”

• maintaining required maintaining required conditions on the landconditions on the land

• maintaining required maintaining required conditions on the landconditions on the land

• enforcing terms of easementenforcing terms of easement• enforcing terms of easementenforcing terms of easement

Permanently Conserving Land Permanently Conserving Land Requires Large InvestmentRequires Large Investment

Outright purchase by Outright purchase by conservation groupconservation group

Outright purchase by Outright purchase by conservation groupconservation group

Permanent conservation Permanent conservation easementeasement

Permanent conservation Permanent conservation easementeasement

Limited financial and staff resources must be carefully Limited financial and staff resources must be carefully invested in properties that result in the biggest returninvested in properties that result in the biggest returnLimited financial and staff resources must be carefully Limited financial and staff resources must be carefully invested in properties that result in the biggest returninvested in properties that result in the biggest return

BIG $BIG $BIG $BIG $

How do you prioritize what land should How do you prioritize what land should be conserved for wildlife?be conserved for wildlife?

Prioritizing Areas for Wildlife ConservationPrioritizing Areas for Wildlife ConservationPrioritizing Areas for Wildlife ConservationPrioritizing Areas for Wildlife Conservation

• Large Unfragmented Habitat BlocksLarge Unfragmented Habitat Blocks• Large Unfragmented Habitat BlocksLarge Unfragmented Habitat Blocks

• contain a diversity of habitatscontain a diversity of habitats• contain a diversity of habitatscontain a diversity of habitats

Often:Often:Often:Often:

• support larger populations of support larger populations of speciesspecies

• support larger populations of support larger populations of speciesspecies

• allow animals to travel freely allow animals to travel freely between required habitat between required habitat patches within the blockpatches within the block

• allow animals to travel freely allow animals to travel freely between required habitat between required habitat patches within the blockpatches within the block

• provide habitat for area- provide habitat for area- sensitive species sensitive species

• provide habitat for area- provide habitat for area- sensitive species sensitive species

Probability of a local population going Probability of a local population going extinct increases as patch size decreasesextinct increases as patch size decreases

Probability of a local population going Probability of a local population going extinct increases as patch size decreasesextinct increases as patch size decreases

Prioritizing Areas for Wildlife ConservationPrioritizing Areas for Wildlife ConservationPrioritizing Areas for Wildlife ConservationPrioritizing Areas for Wildlife Conservation

• Large Unfragmented Habitat BlocksLarge Unfragmented Habitat Blocks

• Known Habitats of Uncommon Wildlife, Known Habitats of Uncommon Wildlife, Exemplary Natural CommunitiesExemplary Natural Communities

• Large Unfragmented Habitat BlocksLarge Unfragmented Habitat Blocks

• Known Habitats of Uncommon Wildlife, Known Habitats of Uncommon Wildlife, Exemplary Natural CommunitiesExemplary Natural Communities

• ideally these occur within larger ideally these occur within larger blocksblocks

• ideally these occur within larger ideally these occur within larger blocksblocks

• often referred to as “core” habitatsoften referred to as “core” habitats• often referred to as “core” habitatsoften referred to as “core” habitats

• protected area must be at least as protected area must be at least as large as species’ area requirementslarge as species’ area requirements

• protected area must be at least as protected area must be at least as large as species’ area requirementslarge as species’ area requirements

If these occur in small patches the risk of edge effects increases…If these occur in small patches the risk of edge effects increases…If these occur in small patches the risk of edge effects increases…If these occur in small patches the risk of edge effects increases…

What are “edge effects”?What are “edge effects”?What are “edge effects”?What are “edge effects”?

Factors outside a habitat patch reduce the quality of habitat inside the Factors outside a habitat patch reduce the quality of habitat inside the patchpatchFactors outside a habitat patch reduce the quality of habitat inside the Factors outside a habitat patch reduce the quality of habitat inside the patchpatch

How can we minimize the “edge effect” and the influence of How can we minimize the “edge effect” and the influence of surrounding land uses within conserved lands?surrounding land uses within conserved lands?


•Higher diversity and density Higher diversity and density of prey results in of prey results in higher higher predation riskpredation risk along habitat along habitat edgesedges

•Higher risk of Higher risk of nest nest parasitismparasitism by brown- by brown-headed cowbirdsheaded cowbirds

•cowbirds lay eggs in nest of cowbirds lay eggs in nest of other bird speciesother bird species



What are “edge effects”?What are “edge effects”?What are “edge effects”?What are “edge effects”?

Factors outside a habitat patch reduce the quality of habitat Factors outside a habitat patch reduce the quality of habitat inside the patchinside the patch

Factors outside a habitat patch reduce the quality of habitat Factors outside a habitat patch reduce the quality of habitat inside the patchinside the patch

Minimize “edge effect” and influence of surrounding land usesMinimize “edge effect” and influence of surrounding land usesMinimize “edge effect” and influence of surrounding land usesMinimize “edge effect” and influence of surrounding land uses

• Conserving as large an area as Conserving as large an area as possible reduces edge effects possible reduces edge effects and maintains interior habitat and maintains interior habitat

• Conserving as large an area as Conserving as large an area as possible reduces edge effects possible reduces edge effects and maintains interior habitat and maintains interior habitat

• Round or square reserve Round or square reserve areas result in less edge than areas result in less edge than linear shaped habitat blockslinear shaped habitat blocks

• Round or square reserve Round or square reserve areas result in less edge than areas result in less edge than linear shaped habitat blockslinear shaped habitat blocks

This wetland was This wetland was “protected” but…“protected” but…

The upland habitat required by the amphibians using this wetland The upland habitat required by the amphibians using this wetland was completely eliminatedwas completely eliminated

Fertilizers leaching from the adjacent lawns will alter the water Fertilizers leaching from the adjacent lawns will alter the water chemistry within the wetlandchemistry within the wetland

• Buffers may be critical for maintaining the functions and values of the Buffers may be critical for maintaining the functions and values of the habitat you are trying to protect!habitat you are trying to protect!

To minimize “edge effect” and the influence of surrounding land usesTo minimize “edge effect” and the influence of surrounding land usesTo minimize “edge effect” and the influence of surrounding land usesTo minimize “edge effect” and the influence of surrounding land uses

• conserve a buffer of conserve a buffer of supporting supporting habitathabitat around core habitat areas around core habitat areas

• conserve a buffer of conserve a buffer of supporting supporting habitathabitat around core habitat areas around core habitat areas

What questions must you ask What questions must you ask to determine to determine

What size buffer is neededWhat size buffer is needed??

What questions must you ask What questions must you ask to determine to determine

What size buffer is neededWhat size buffer is needed??

What are you trying to buffer from?What are you trying to buffer from?

Do you want the buffer to provide functional habitat?Do you want the buffer to provide functional habitat?

What are you trying to buffer from?What are you trying to buffer from?

Do you want the buffer to provide functional habitat?Do you want the buffer to provide functional habitat?

• the surrounding land the surrounding land required to maintain required to maintain ecosystem processes within ecosystem processes within the core area you are trying the core area you are trying to protectto protect

• the surrounding land the surrounding land required to maintain required to maintain ecosystem processes within ecosystem processes within the core area you are trying the core area you are trying to protectto protect

Recommended minimum buffers for various objectivesRecommended minimum buffers for various objectivesRecommended minimum buffers for various objectivesRecommended minimum buffers for various objectives

• Highest Ranked Habitat by Highest Ranked Habitat by Condition in NHCondition in NH

New Hampshire New Hampshire Wildlife Action PlanWildlife Action Plan

New Hampshire New Hampshire Wildlife Action PlanWildlife Action Plan

Some Help for Identifying Core Some Help for Identifying Core Habitats and Supporting LandscapesHabitats and Supporting Landscapes

Some Help for Identifying Core Some Help for Identifying Core Habitats and Supporting LandscapesHabitats and Supporting Landscapes

Habitat Ranking within Biological RegionsHabitat Ranking within Biological Regions

Highest Ranked Habitat by Highest Ranked Habitat by Condition in Biological Condition in Biological

RegionRegion

Eco-regional Subsection or Eco-regional Subsection or Watershed GroupWatershed Group

NH Wildlife Action Plan NH Wildlife Action Plan

Pink = Pink = Highest Ranked HabitatHighest Ranked Habitat in the state in the statePink = Pink = Highest Ranked HabitatHighest Ranked Habitat in the state in the state

Just one tool to help identify & Just one tool to help identify & prioritize conservation areasprioritize conservation areas

Just one tool to help identify & Just one tool to help identify & prioritize conservation areasprioritize conservation areas

Orange =Orange = Supporting Habitat Supporting Habitat Buffer Buffer

Orange =Orange = Supporting Habitat Supporting Habitat Buffer Buffer

Green = Green = Highest Ranked Highest Ranked Habitat in Ecoregion Habitat in Ecoregion or watershed or watershed

Green = Green = Highest Ranked Highest Ranked Habitat in Ecoregion Habitat in Ecoregion or watershed or watershed

Maximizing habitat value of conserved landsMaximizing habitat value of conserved landsMaximizing habitat value of conserved landsMaximizing habitat value of conserved lands

• Maximize the functional area of individual Maximize the functional area of individual conserved parcels by grouping them conserved parcels by grouping them together as close as possibletogether as close as possible

• Maximize the functional area of individual Maximize the functional area of individual conserved parcels by grouping them conserved parcels by grouping them together as close as possibletogether as close as possible

• blocks of nearby habitat may blocks of nearby habitat may function as one larger contiguous function as one larger contiguous block for some mobile speciesblock for some mobile species

• blocks of nearby habitat may blocks of nearby habitat may function as one larger contiguous function as one larger contiguous block for some mobile speciesblock for some mobile species

What determines if a species can disperse between adjacent blocks?What determines if a species can disperse between adjacent blocks?What determines if a species can disperse between adjacent blocks?What determines if a species can disperse between adjacent blocks?

• Specific wildlife speciesSpecific wildlife species• Specific wildlife speciesSpecific wildlife species

• distance between distance between adjacent habitat blocksadjacent habitat blocks

• distance between distance between adjacent habitat blocksadjacent habitat blocks

• types of barrierstypes of barriers• types of barrierstypes of barriers

Major highways, large rivers, extreme Major highways, large rivers, extreme elevation are barriers to all but the elevation are barriers to all but the

most mobile wildlife speciesmost mobile wildlife species

Major highways, large rivers, extreme Major highways, large rivers, extreme elevation are barriers to all but the elevation are barriers to all but the

most mobile wildlife speciesmost mobile wildlife species

Potential role of small conserved blocksPotential role of small conserved blocksPotential role of small conserved blocksPotential role of small conserved blocks

• A collection of smaller blocks A collection of smaller blocks may capture a greater array of may capture a greater array of habitats and support more rare habitats and support more rare species than a single larger blockspecies than a single larger block

• A collection of smaller blocks A collection of smaller blocks may capture a greater array of may capture a greater array of habitats and support more rare habitats and support more rare species than a single larger blockspecies than a single larger block

Large blocks may contain greater habitat diversity than smaller blocks…Large blocks may contain greater habitat diversity than smaller blocks…Large blocks may contain greater habitat diversity than smaller blocks…Large blocks may contain greater habitat diversity than smaller blocks…

• Small blocks may serve as Small blocks may serve as “stepping stones” to facilitate “stepping stones” to facilitate movement between larger blocksmovement between larger blocks

• Small blocks may serve as Small blocks may serve as “stepping stones” to facilitate “stepping stones” to facilitate movement between larger blocksmovement between larger blocks

• may increase local population may increase local population persistence above larger persistence above larger blocks aloneblocks alone

• may increase local population may increase local population persistence above larger persistence above larger blocks aloneblocks alone

• larger blocks might otherwise larger blocks might otherwise be beyond dispersal distancebe beyond dispersal distance

• larger blocks might otherwise larger blocks might otherwise be beyond dispersal distancebe beyond dispersal distance

Complete Complete corridorscorridors maymay further increase connectivity further increase connectivity between adjacent habitat blocksbetween adjacent habitat blocks

Complete Complete corridorscorridors maymay further increase connectivity further increase connectivity between adjacent habitat blocksbetween adjacent habitat blocks

Makes sense in theory, but true Makes sense in theory, but true effectiveness of corridors is largely effectiveness of corridors is largely untested…untested…

Makes sense in theory, but true Makes sense in theory, but true effectiveness of corridors is largely effectiveness of corridors is largely untested…untested…

• perhaps most beneficial to perhaps most beneficial to species incapable of species incapable of crossing simple barrierscrossing simple barriers

• perhaps most beneficial to perhaps most beneficial to species incapable of species incapable of crossing simple barrierscrossing simple barriers

• some insects, salamanders, some insects, salamanders, turtles, small mammalsturtles, small mammals

• some insects, salamanders, some insects, salamanders, turtles, small mammalsturtles, small mammals

• may be unnecessary for may be unnecessary for birds and large mammals birds and large mammals

• may be unnecessary for may be unnecessary for birds and large mammals birds and large mammals

• may be all edge and create may be all edge and create a habitat sinka habitat sink

• may be all edge and create may be all edge and create a habitat sinka habitat sinkConserving Conserving uplandupland corridorscorridors may require may require

funds that might be better spent elsewhere funds that might be better spent elsewhere Conserving Conserving uplandupland corridorscorridors may require may require

funds that might be better spent elsewhere funds that might be better spent elsewhere

MissionMission: “To permanently conserve a network : “To permanently conserve a network of lands that protects our region’s water, of lands that protects our region’s water, wildlife habitats, forests, and farmlandwildlife habitats, forests, and farmland

MissionMission: “To permanently conserve a network : “To permanently conserve a network of lands that protects our region’s water, of lands that protects our region’s water, wildlife habitats, forests, and farmlandwildlife habitats, forests, and farmland

Example: Bear-Paw Regional Greenways Land Trust Example: Bear-Paw Regional Greenways Land Trust Southeastern New HampshireSoutheastern New Hampshire

Example: Bear-Paw Regional Greenways Land Trust Example: Bear-Paw Regional Greenways Land Trust Southeastern New HampshireSoutheastern New Hampshire

• Working to connect large conserved Working to connect large conserved blocks within a 7 town regionblocks within a 7 town region

• Working to connect large conserved Working to connect large conserved blocks within a 7 town regionblocks within a 7 town region

• Holds easements on or owns Holds easements on or owns 4,270 acres4,270 acres

• Helped protect anotherHelped protect another3,265 acres3,265 acres

• Holds easements on or owns Holds easements on or owns 4,270 acres4,270 acres

• Helped protect anotherHelped protect another3,265 acres3,265 acres

7,535 acres permanently protected7,535 acres permanently protected7,535 acres permanently protected7,535 acres permanently protected

• funded largely by private funded largely by private donationsdonations

• funded largely by private funded largely by private donationsdonations

Example: Quabbin to Cardigan CollaborativeExample: Quabbin to Cardigan CollaborativeMonadnock Highlands MA-NHMonadnock Highlands MA-NH

Example: Quabbin to Cardigan CollaborativeExample: Quabbin to Cardigan CollaborativeMonadnock Highlands MA-NHMonadnock Highlands MA-NH

• Effort to protect and connect large Effort to protect and connect large unfragmented forests in 2 million unfragmented forests in 2 million acre region acre region

• Effort to protect and connect large Effort to protect and connect large unfragmented forests in 2 million unfragmented forests in 2 million acre region acre region

• 600,000 acres of core habitat 600,000 acres of core habitat

• 400,000 supporting landscape400,000 supporting landscape

• 600,000 acres of core habitat 600,000 acres of core habitat

• 400,000 supporting landscape400,000 supporting landscape

Such larger regional efforts may be Such larger regional efforts may be important to allow wildlife and habitats important to allow wildlife and habitats

to adapt to a changing climateto adapt to a changing climate

Such larger regional efforts may be Such larger regional efforts may be important to allow wildlife and habitats important to allow wildlife and habitats

to adapt to a changing climateto adapt to a changing climate

• 27 private organizations and 27 private organizations and public agencies coordinating land public agencies coordinating land conservationconservation

• 27 private organizations and 27 private organizations and public agencies coordinating land public agencies coordinating land conservationconservation

• one of largest ecologically one of largest ecologically intact forest areas in NEintact forest areas in NE

• one of largest ecologically one of largest ecologically intact forest areas in NEintact forest areas in NE

““Conservation Development”Conservation Development”““Conservation Development”Conservation Development”

Clusters buildings to allow residential or commercial development while Clusters buildings to allow residential or commercial development while protecting natural resources, more open space, rural characterprotecting natural resources, more open space, rural character

Clusters buildings to allow residential or commercial development while Clusters buildings to allow residential or commercial development while protecting natural resources, more open space, rural characterprotecting natural resources, more open space, rural character

Often better, but rarely should be promoted as great habitatOften better, but rarely should be promoted as great habitatOften better, but rarely should be promoted as great habitatOften better, but rarely should be promoted as great habitat

““Conservation Development”…some additional considerationsConservation Development”…some additional considerations““Conservation Development”…some additional considerationsConservation Development”…some additional considerations

• What is the long-term What is the long-term habitat value of protected habitat value of protected land where all recreation is land where all recreation is focused?focused?

• What is the long-term What is the long-term habitat value of protected habitat value of protected land where all recreation is land where all recreation is focused?focused?

• Avoid “common areas” that Avoid “common areas” that are owned and managed by are owned and managed by an associationan association

• Open-space area should be Open-space area should be attached to one large lot attached to one large lot with a single ownerwith a single owner

• Avoid “common areas” that Avoid “common areas” that are owned and managed by are owned and managed by an associationan association

• Open-space area should be Open-space area should be attached to one large lot attached to one large lot with a single ownerwith a single owner

If objective is habitat:If objective is habitat:If objective is habitat:If objective is habitat:

Is your conserved habitat area the Is your conserved habitat area the neighborhood dog park?neighborhood dog park?

Is your conserved habitat area the Is your conserved habitat area the neighborhood dog park?neighborhood dog park?

conservation planning

Documents

remaining habitat

wildlife speciesroadkill

habitat block size decreases

conservation planningmaintain

conservation planningplanning

conservation planningwith

species wont

predatorsthese species