Madison Madison Valley Valley ConservatioConservation n AssessmentAssessment
Madison Valley Study Area
Suites of Species Make Better Umbrellas
FishWestslope Cutthroat Trout, Oncorynchus clarki lewisiYellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Oncorynchus clarki bouvieriArctic Grayling (fluvial), Thymallus arcticusAmphibiansTiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinumNorthern Leopard Frog, Rana pipiensColumbia Spotted Frog, Rana luteiventrisBoreal Chorus Frog, Pseudacris maculataBoreal Toad, Bufo boreas boreasReptilesRubber Boa, Charina bottaeWestern Terrestrial Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegansWestern Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridisBirdsAmerican White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchosTrumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinatorHarlequin Duck, Histrionicus histionicusBarrow's Goldeneye, Bucephala islandicaBald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalusNorthern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilisRed-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensisFerruginous Hawk, Buteo regalisGolden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetosPeregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinusBlue Grouse, Dendragapus obscurusGreater Sage Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianusLong-billed Curlew, Numenius americanusGreat Gray Owl, Strix nebulosaRed-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalisThree-toed Woodpecker, Picoides tridactylusBlack-backed Woodpecker, Picoides arcticusOlive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus cooperii
Brown Creeper, Certhia americanaWarbling Vireo, Vireo gilvusAmerican Pipit, Anthus rebescensAmerican Dipper, Cinclus mexicanusYellow Warbler, Dendroica petechiaLincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolniiBlack Rosy-Finch, Leucosticte atrataMammalsMasked Shrew, Sorex cinereusTownsend's Big-eared Bat, Corynorhinus townsendiiBlack-tailed Jackrabbit, Lepus californicusSnowshoe Hare, Lepus townsendiiBeaver, Castor canadensisPine Squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicusNorthern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinusNorthern Pocket Gopher, Thomomys talpoidesSouthern Red-backed Vole, Clethrionomys gapperiHeather Vole, Phenacomys intermediusSagebrush Vole, Lemmiscus curtatusCoyote, Canis latransGray Wolf, Canis lupusMountain Lion, Felis (Puma) concolorCanada Lynx, Lynx canadensisWolverine, Gulo guloRiver Otter, Lontra canadensisAmerican Marten, Martes americanaFisher, Martes pennantiBlack Bear, Ursus americanusGrizzly Bear, Ursus arctosPronghorn, Antilocapra americanaBison, Bison (Bos) bisonBighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensisWapiti (Elk), Cervus elaphusMoose, Alces alcesMule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus
Candidate Pool Entering Species SelectionCommon name, Latin binomial
5 criteria for selecting5 criteria for selectinglandscape specieslandscape species
area vulnerability
functionalityheterogeneity
socio-economic significance
Selecting Landscape Species Selecting Landscape Species
Species Ranking
2.030.800.150.150.320.61River Otter
2.160.600.540.230.290.49Moose
2.190.400.080.850.290.58Northern Pocket Gopher
2.350.600.660.230.400.45Greater Sage Grouse
2.410.800.090.460.600.46Coyote
2.420.800.040.770.330.48Beaver
2.470.600.190.620.370.70Black Bear
2.760.600.650.080.550.88Canada Lynx
2.800.600.720.230.580.66Mule Deer
2.910.600.620.080.621.00Wolverine
3.141.000.470.230.860.58Mountain Lion
3.190.800.540.770.690.39Wapiti (Elk)
3.271.000.190.461.000.62Gray Wolf
4.501.001.001.000.750.75Grizzly Bear
TotalSocioecono
micVulnerabil
ityFunctional
ityHeterogene
ityAreaSpecies
Final Landscape SpeciesFinal Landscape Species
• WolverineWolverine• Bighorn sheepBighorn sheep• MooseMoose• Grizzly bear (CERI)Grizzly bear (CERI)• Pronghorn (CERI)Pronghorn (CERI)• Elk (CERI)Elk (CERI)• Red-naped sapsuckerRed-naped sapsucker• Sage grouseSage grouse• Boreal toadBoreal toad• Columbia spotted frogColumbia spotted frog• Black-backed woodpeckerBlack-backed woodpecker• Warbling vireoWarbling vireo• Yellow warblerYellow warbler• West slope cutthroat troutWest slope cutthroat trout• Arctic graylingArctic grayling• Riparian HabitatRiparian Habitat
A Simplified Approach
Problem: Find the minimum set of focal species that will umbrella all major habitats
Major Habitat Types
Habitat 1
Habitat 2
Habitat 3
Habitat 4
Habitat 5
Habitat 6
Habitat 7
Habitat 8
Habitat 9
Characteristics of Good Focal Species•Large Area Requirements•Sensitive to Habitat Change•Compliments Other Focal Species
Species 1
Species 2
Species 3
Species 2
Species 1
Species 3
Species 4
Species 4
Habitat Elements vs. Species NeedsIm
port
ance
Habitat Generalist Habitat Specialist
Vegetation Structure
Community Composition
Selecting Habitat Types
1. Identify Broad Habitat Types (e.g. coniferous forest, riparian, grassland steppe, etc.)
2. Subdivide by important topographical classes (lowland, alpine, etc)
3. Include specialty habitats (e.g. whitebark pine, cliff faces, standing burnt forest)
Choosing Focal SpeciesStart With:Need large areas to survive and persist
Are sensitive to human threats or activities
and optionally:
Are keystone species-species whose loss would significantly alter the ecosystem
Add:Species as close to target as possibleDo not overlap habitat requirements with previous species
human landscape(people’s activities)
biological landscape
(species’ requirements)
intersections define the conservation landscape
identify Priorities
direct and focus interventions
Landscape Species Approach
Human landscapes
Conservation Target: Maintain viable meta-populations of Columbia Spotted Frog
Direct threat (stress): Predation and competition
Intervention: Inventory for breeding sites in MVPU
Direct threat (stress): Mortality
Indirect threat: Inadequate information on breeding sites
Indirect threat: Local and regional environmental contamination
Indirect threat: Management emphasis on sport fishery
Intervention:Elevate importance of amphibians and their mgmt
Intervention:Reduce spreading through education
Intervention: Mitigate contamination around breeding sites
Source: Disease???
Direct threat (stress): Habitat loss
Source: Loss of floodplain pools due to river regulation by dams
Source: Loss of beaver
Intervention: Beaver restoration
Intervention: Lease water rights for conservation
Source: Dewatering from irrigation, loss of beaver
Intervention: Remove nonnative fish
Source: Historical non-native fish introductions
Goal: To conserve and restore all major wildlife habitat types and their component species with emphasis on ungulate winter range, riparian ecosystems, and linkages between mountain chains and mountain valleys.
Conceptual models
Mapped Human Influences
•Housing (Structures) Density
•(Weighted) Road Density
•Roadway Salting
•Motor Recreation (Snowmobiling)
•Grazing (Public Lands)
•Mining
•Water Quality
•Dewatering
•Fish Stocking (Non-native Introductions)
•Fire Severity
Habitat Models
Information Sources•Existing Models•Literature Review•Expert Interviews•Workshops
HabitatHabitat
connectivityconnectivity
•Focal Species (Scientific name)•Current Status:•Current Threats:•Habitat Analysis:•Conservation Strategies:
Species Report Outline
summary Analysissummary Analysis
Umbrella effects
0.30
Grizzly Bear0.70Wolverine0.045610034
Southern Red-backed Vole
0.33Moose0.33
Wapiti (Elk)0.33Grizzly Bear0.051311288
Northern Pocket Gopher
0.30
Grizzly Bear0.70
Black-backed Woodpecker0.091220068
Northern Flying Squirrel
0.33Moose0.33
Wapiti (Elk)0.33Grizzly Bear0.091220068Pine Squirrel
0.30Moose0.70Riparian Habitat0.0336374Beaver
0.30
Wolverine0.70Grizzly Bear0.045990118Snowshoe Hare
1.00Pronghorn0.02204485
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
0.33Bighorn Sheep0.33
Wapiti (Elk)0.33Grizzly Bear0.059673128
Townsend's Big-eared Bat
0.33Moose0.33
Wapiti (Elk)0.33Grizzly Bear0.083618396Masked Shrew
0Mammals
INDEX
Proportion
Umbrella3
Proportion
Umbrella2
ProportionUmbrella1
VULNERABILITYSPECIES
0
0.200
0.400
0.600
0.800
1
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Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (378 vertebrate species)
Setting priorities
•Species Richness
•Connectivity Hotspots
•Addressing Key Threats
CurrentCurrentBiodiversity Biodiversity
potentialpotential
Loss of Biodiversity
Potential
Papoose Creek to Raynold’s Pass
Sagebrush Steppe
Norris Hill to North Meadow Creek
Jack Creek Drainage
Madison Willow Flats
Priority Areas for Conserving Biodiversity
Potential habitat
connectivity
Current Habitat
Connectivity
Change in habitat
connectivity
Priority Areas for Wildlife Connectivity
Wolf Creek to Raynold’s Pass
Norris Hill to North Meadow Creek
Central Valley
Major Drainages and foothills
Virginia City Hill
Analyzing threats
Priorities Based on Threats
Protect and restore aquatic habitats that support fish and amphibians.
Restore natural fire patterns to restore fire-dependent habitats and fire-dependent species.
Protect and restore sagebrush and native grassland habitats.
Reduce the impact of subdivision development on wildlife.
Mitigate the impact of roads through improved design through travel corridors.
So What?
•Madison County Planning Board (decision support tool, conservation overlay)•Forest Service Management Plans•Madison Valley Futuring Committee•Individual Landowners
Fine-scale analysis
Area GrowthArea Growth
1905 - 20051905 - 2005
Maps and Animation
Compliments of the Sonoran Institute
Predicted Loss of Wildlife Habitat
Predicted loss of grizzly bear habitat
using growth projections for 2025
Major supporters
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust
The Turner Foundation
Wildlife Conservation Society
Special thanks to:The Madison Valley Ranchlands Group, US Forest Service, MT Fish Wildlife and Parks, The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, MT Audubon Society, and Trust for Public Lands
Choosing a Focal Species Suite to Create a Complete Conservation Umbrella
Goals:• Conserve sufficient quantity and quality of all major habitat types to
support ecologically functional populations of all native species present in the planning area.
• Implement mitigation strategies that effectively reduce the impact of all activities that significantly threaten the persistence of any native species to levels that insure a high likelihood of persistence for the next 100 years.
• Ensure the continuation of all natural ecosystem processes (either through natural occurrence or simulation by prescription) that are necessary for the long-term persistence of all native species within their natural range of variability of abundance.
• Respect the importance of wildlife to local economies and culture, and implementing strategies to maximize positive, and minimizes negative, effects of wildlife on these economies while preserving cultural values.
Complete Conservation Requires Multiple Umbrellas
Area
•Complete Communities- all native species in natural abundance
•Complete Ecosystem Function•Human Values
HabitatThreats
Processes
Hierarchy of Conservation Needs
AreaSufficient area to support individuals and populations at ecologically functional levels
Habitat Availability of appropriate habitat types in sufficient quantity and quality to support individuals and populations
SecuritySecurity from direct and indirect threats that threaten the survival or natural abundance of individuals or populations
Ecological Processes
Allow or simulate natural processes to sustain natural habitat heterogeneity
Social Acceptance
Public values that support conservation
Using Focal Species to Address Conservation Needs
NeedFocal Species Attribute
Area Landscape SpeciesSelect large area generalists to protect sufficient area and diversity of habitat types
Habitat Habitat TypesMake sure suite of focal species covers all major habitat types in the area
Security Threats
Make sure suite of focal species covers all major threats that impact wildlife populations in the area
Ecological ProcessesEcological Processes and Key Species
Include key species needed to maintain natural community, and species that depend on ecological processes to sustain ecologically functional populations
Social Acceptance Socio-economic ValuesIdentify values that compliment or conflict with conservation objectives
Two Day Selection Process
• One day pre-workshop preparation
• One day workshop
Pre-workshop Preparation
• List of native species sorted by area requirements
• List of major habitat types in planning area
• List of major threats in planning area
• List of important ecological processes
• List of key species
• List of important socio-economic values
http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildfinder/
Candidate Species Major HabitatTypes
Major Threats Key Species Important Ecological Processes
Important Socio-Economic Values
American BadgerAmerican BeaverAmerican BisonAmerican Black BearAmerican KestrelAmerican MartenAmerican MinkAmerican PikaBig Brown BatBighorn SheepBlack-tailed JackrabbitBlue GrouseBobcatBoreal Chorus FrogBoreal OwlBull SnakeBushy-tailed WoodratCalifornia MyotisCanada LynxCinereus ShrewColumbian Ground SquirrelCommon RavenCooper's HawkCougarCoyoteDeer MouseDesert CottontailDwarf ShrewElkErmineFerruginous HawkFisherGolden EagleGolden-mantled Ground SquirrelGray WolfGreat Basin Pocket MouseGreat Gray OwlGreat Horned OwlGrizzly BearHispid Pocket MouseHoary BatLeast ChipmunkLittle Brown BatLong-billed CurlewLong-eared MyotisLong-eared Owl
Long-legged MyotisLong-tailed VoleLong-tailed WeaselMeadow VoleMerriam's ShrewMontane ShrewMontane VoleMooseMountain CottontailMule DeerMuskratNorth American PorcupineNorthern Flying SquirrelNorthern GoshawkNorthern Grasshopper MouseNorthern HarrierNorthern Pocket GopherNorthern Pygmy-OwlNorthern RaccoonNorthern River OtterNorthern Saw-whet OwlNorthern ShrikeOrd's Kangaroo RatPrairie Vole Preble's ShrewPronghornRed FoxRed SquirrelRed-tailed ChipmunkRed-tailed HawkRichardson's Ground SquirrelRough-legged HawkRuffed GrouseSage GrouseSagebrush VoleSharp-shinned HawkShort-eared OwlSilver-haired BatSnowshoe HareSouthern Red-backed VoleSpotted BatSpruce GrouseStriped Skunk
Swainson's HawkTiger SalamanderTownsend's Big-eared BatTurkey VultureUinta ChipmunkUinta Ground SquirrelVagrant ShrewWater ShrewWater VoleWestern Harvest MouseWestern Heather VoleWestern Jumping MouseWestern RattlesnakeWestern Screech-OwlWestern ToadWestern Small-footed MyotisWhite-footed MouseWhite-tailed DeerWhite-tailed JackrabbitWolverineWyoming Ground SquirrelWyoming Pocket GopherYellow-bellied MarmotYellow-pine ChipmunkYuma Myotis
AgricultureAlpine MeadowAspenFoothill Shrub/Xeric WoodlandLentic Water Lotic WaterMesic ShrubMontane ConiferNative GrasslandNon-Native GrassRecently Burnt ForestRiparian ForestRiparian ShrubRock/Cliff/TalusShrub-steppeSubalpine ForestWetlands (Marsh)
DewateringExotic DiseaseFarmingFencingFireFire SuppressionFishingGrazingHarvest (Hunting)Homesite DevelopmentInvasive AliensLoss Of Ecosystem IntegrityManagement/Predator ControlMigratory SensitivityMineral MiningMotorized RecreationNonmotorized RecreationNonnative IntroductionsOil/Gas/CbmPollutionPowerlinesRoad Chemical/SedimentationRoadingTimber HarvestVehicular TrafficWeed/Pest Control
American BeaverAmerican BisonElk?Gray Wolf
Periodic FireGrazingRiparian Flooding
Sport Hunting and FishingCattle Ranching and Rural LifestyleOpen Space, Wild Areas, and Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
Species Area RequirementsFive functional categories• Large Landscape
– Classic landscape species – Habitat generalists requiring large contiguous, or connected areas of habitat
(> 500 ha).• Meso-scale
– require moderately size contiguous habitat areas (~ 5 - 500 ha).• Habitat Selectors
– travel between relatively small habitat patches but not sensitive to habitat changes between patches.
• Restricted or Sedentary– Small home ranges < 5 ha
• Habitat Specialists– Majority of seasonal use tied to one, or few habitat types.– Critical habitats often small patch sizes
• Microhabitat Specialists– Restricted to very specific and very small habitats (e.g. warm springs)
Species Pool Land Area Requiremen
t Category
Cohort 1 Cohort 2 Cohort 3 Cohort 4 Cohort 5 Cohort 6
WolverineSage GrouseGrizzly BearFerruginous HawkGray WolfGolden EagleAmerican BisonElkLong-billed CurlewCougarAmerican Black BearCanada LynxWestern ToadTurkey VultureBoreal OwlPronghornBighorn SheepWestern RattlesnakeCommon RavenMooseTiger SalamanderNorthern GoshawkCoyoteFisherMule DeerBoreal Chorus FrogBull SnakeBlue GrouseBobcatRough-legged HawkWhite-tailed DeerGreat Horned OwlRed-tailed HawkSwainson's HawkNorthern River OtterAmerican Marten
LL-1LL-1LL-2LL-2LL-3LL-3LL-4LL-4LL-4LL-5LL-6Meso-1Meso-1Meso-1Meso-2Meso-2Meso-2Meso-2Meso-3Meso-3Meso-3Meso-4Meso-4Meso-4Meso-4Meso-4Meso-4Meso-5Meso-5Meso-6Meso-6Meso-7Meso-7Meso-7Meso-7Meso-8
WolverineSage GrouseGrizzly BearFerruginous
HawkGray WolfGolden Eagle
Gray WolfGolden EagleAmerican BisonElkLong-billed
curlew CougarAmerican Black
BearCanada LynxWestern ToadTurkey Vulture Boreal Owl
PronghornBighorn SheepWestern
RattlesnakeCommon RavenMooseTiger Salamander
MooseTiger SalamanderNorthern
GoshawkCoyoteFisherMule DeerBoreal Chorus FrogBull Snake
Blue GrouseBobcatRough-legged HawkWhite-tailed DeerGreat-horned OwlRed-tailed HawkSwainson’s HawkNorthern River
OtterSTOP
Complete Conservation Requires Multiple Umbrellas
Habitat Threats
AgricultureAlpine Meadow
AspenFoothill Shrub/Xeric Woodland
Lentic Water Lotic WaterMesic Shrub
Montane ConiferNative GrasslandNon-Native Grass
Riparian ForestRiparian ShrubRock/Cliff/Talus
Subalpine ForestWetlands (Marsh)
Shrub-steppeRecently Burnt Forest
Dewatering (P)Exotic Disease (P)
Farming (P)Fencing
Fire Suppression (P)Fishing
Migratory Sensitivity (P)Oil/Gas/CBM (P)
Power lines
GrazingHarvest (Hunting)
Homesite DevelopmentInvasive Aliens
Loss Of Ecosystem IntegrityManagement/Predator Control
Mineral MiningMotorized Recreation
Nonmotorized RecreationNonnative Introductions
PollutionRoad Chemical/Sedimentation
RoadingTimber HarvestVehicular Traffic
Weed/Pest Control
Special Elements:
Habitats Covered Under Umbrella
Habitats Outside Cumulative Umbrella
Threats Covered
Under Umbrella
Threats Outside
Cumulative
Umbrella
Special Elements Added to Complete Umbrella
Focal Species Suite
Sage Grouse Shrub-steppe Recently Burnt Forest (P)
Farming (P)Oil/Gas/CBM (P)Power lines
Dewatering (P)Exotic Disease (P)FencingFire Suppression (P)FishingMigratory Sensitivity (P)
Sage GrousePronghorn Westslope CutthroatAmerican Beaver – key species (replaces otter)Black-backed Woodpecker
Grizzly BearElkWestern ToadBighorn SheepNorthern GoshawkNorthern River Otter – replaced by beaver as special elementSpecial Elements:Sage GrousePronghornWestslope CutthroatAmerican BeaverBlack-backed Woodpecker
Pronghorn Recently Burnt Forest (P)
FencingMigratory Sensitivity (P)
Dewatering (P)Exotic Disease (P)Fire Suppression (P)Fishing
Westslope Cutthroat
Recently Burnt Forest (P)
Dewatering (P)Exotic Disease (P)Fishing
Fire Suppression (P)
American Beaver
Lotic Water Recently Burnt Forest (P)
Fire Suppression (P)
Black-backed Woodpecker
Recently Burnt
Fire Suppression (P)
Completing the Conservation Umbrellas
Complete Conservation Requires Multiple Umbrellas
Area
•Complete Communities- all native species in natural abundance
•Complete Ecosystem Function•Human Values
HabitatThreats
Processes
