measuring what matters: the nature conservancy’s approach to ecological integrity measurement

The Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancyis a proud supporter ofis a proud supporter ofthe 2003 World Parks the 2003 World Parks

CongressCongressconserveonline.orgconserveonline.org

Measuring What Matters:Measuring What Matters: The Nature Conservancy’s Approach The Nature Conservancy’s Approach to Ecological Integrity Measurementto Ecological Integrity Measurement

Jeffrey Jeffrey ParrisParris

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Take home messagesTake home messages

OutcomesWhat did we achieve?

OutputsWhat were the results?

ProcessHow do we go about it?

InputsWhat do we need?

Planning Where do we want to be?

ContextWhere are we now?

ElementsElementsof Eval-of Eval-uationuation

1.1. Ecological Integrity is an under-addressed, yet Ecological Integrity is an under-addressed, yet CRITICAL, aspect of PA management effectiveness. CRITICAL, aspect of PA management effectiveness.

2.2. Recommendations from WPC should emphasize EI Recommendations from WPC should emphasize EI measurement.measurement.

3.3. TNC, among others, offers a framework and tools for TNC, among others, offers a framework and tools for EI measurement. EI measurement.

WCPA Assessment FrameworkWCPA Assessment FrameworkOutcomesOutcomesWhat did What did we we achieve?achieve?

OutputsWhat were the results?

ProcessHow do we go about it?

InputsWhat do we need?

Planning Where do we want to be?

ContextWhere are we now?

ElementsElementsof Eval-of Eval-uationuation

The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy

The Mission of the Nature The Mission of the Nature ConservancyConservancy

is to conserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent

the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they

need to survive

• global organization• 50-year history of conservation results• science-based• partner-oriented• consistent, proven framework for mission

success

The Nature Conservancy’s The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation ApproachConservation Approach

Take Action

Develop Strategies

Set Priorities Ecoregional

Assessments

Measure Success

The Nature Conservancy’s The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation ApproachConservation Approach

Take Action

Develop Develop StrategiesStrategies

5-S Framework5-S Framework

Set Priorities Ecoregional

Assessments

Measure Measure SuccessSuccess

5-S Framework5-S Framework

Integrated Approach to Planning Integrated Approach to Planning and Monitoring: and Monitoring: The 5-S The 5-S

FrameworkFramework

SystemsSystems StresseStressess

SourcesSources StrategiStrategieses

Success Success MeasuresMeasures

Emphasis on Outcome Emphasis on Outcome MeasuresMeasures

1. Threat Status 2. Ecological Integrity

Why measure ecological Why measure ecological integrity?integrity?

For Biodiversity Parks: Ultimate conservation goal: Improve/maintain

biodiversity and requisite ecological features Comprehensively assess threats to targets Set quantifiable, credible objectives for

conservation projects Develop and prioritize monitoring plans Identify and prioritize research needs Inspire and galvanize stakeholders re the

changing status of the natural world

Target Viability Assessment

one day….one day….

Assessing Ecological Integrity: 3 Assessing Ecological Integrity: 3 Categories Categories 1. SizeAbundance and/or demographics of the

population/community 2. ConditionComposition, structure, & biotic

interactions3. Landscape Context Landscape-scale ecological processes,

adjacency and connectivityRated as Very Good, Good, Fair, or

Poor

What did we do before?What did we do before?

What did we do before?What did we do before?

No clear and consistent definition of ratings Little science rigor Documentation optional and sparse

Conservation Targets Landscape Context Condition Size

1 Vernal pool grasslands Good Fair Good Good2 Lower Floodplain Poor Poor Poor Poor3 Upper Floodplain: Chinook Salmon Fair Fair Fair Fair4 Upper Watershed Poor Fair Fair Fair5 Ione Chaparral Good Good Very Good Good6 Blue Oak Woodland Poor Good Poor Fair7 - - - -

Conservation Area Biodiversity Health Rank Fair

Excel-based “5-S

Workbook”

An answer:An answer: TNC’s framework and TNC’s framework and tools for improved integrity tools for improved integrity assessmentassessment

Site:

Target #1:Target #2:Target #3:Target #4:Target #5:Target #6:Target #7:Target #8:

Lower San Pedro River

Upland Plant Community MosaicAquatic Community - Tributary

Riparian Forest Mosaic - mainstemMixed Broadleaf Riparian Forest - tributaryAquatic Community - Mainstem

Go To Overview

Go To Site Biodiversity Health Scorecard

Site Conservation / Measures of Conservation Success WorkbookClick the "Go To Overview" button to the left for an introduction.

Please enter the name of the Site and the Systems / Conservation Targets below.The buttons below and to the left will take you to the designated worksheets.

Go To #1Go To #2

Go To #3

Go To #4

Go To #5

Go To #6

Go To #7

Go To #8

Go To Threats Summary

Go To Capacity Scorecard

Go To Score Tables

TargetsDirectory

Scaling for Your Computer's Monitor

Based on broad piloting & Based on broad piloting & engagement...engagement... Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Corales del Rosario, Colombia Longleaf, Texas, USA Santa Cruz Island, California, USA Serra do Divisor, Brazil Condor Bioreserve, Ecuador Pacaya Samiria, Peru Lake Wales Ridge, Florida, USA Pohnopei, Micronesia Sequoia, California, USA Punta Curinanco, Chile Neversink, New York, USA Cockpit Country, Jamaica

The answer:The answer: framework and tools framework and tools for improved integrity assessmentfor improved integrity assessment

Identify Key Ecological Attributes for Focal

BiodiversityIdentify Indicator(s) for Key Attributes

Rate Indicator Status

Integrate Indicator Ratings to Determine Status of:

• Key Ecological Attributes• Specific Elements of Biodiversity• Integrity of Entire Protected Area of Landscape

5. Integrate Ratings to Determine Integrity

4. Rate Indicator Status

3. Identify Indicator(s)

1. Identify Focal Biodiversity

2. Identify Key Attributes

Select a limited number of elements of biodiversity that

• Will be the focus of

Conservation Planning and Action

• Will represent all biodiversity at the site (including marine, aquatic, and terrestrial, biodiversity)






Punta CuriPunta CuriñancoñancoValdivian Temperate Valdivian Temperate Forest Ecoregion, ChileForest Ecoregion, Chile

Olivillo evergreen broadleaf forest

Intertidal marine communities

PudúGuiñaSea Otter1st and 2nd order

streams and associated riparian systems

Identify focal biodiversityIdentify focal biodiversity










Factors of target ecology that define or characterize the target, limit its distribution, or determine its variation over space and time

Attributes of: biological composition spatial structure biotic interactions environmental regimes (both abiotic and biotic

processes) environmental and ecological connectivity

Size, Condition, and Landscape Context

Key Ecological AttributesKey Ecological Attributes


Measurable entities used to assess status and trends of Key Ecological Attribute(s). Should be:

biologically relevant (reflect target health) socially relevant (recognized by stakeholders) sensitive to anthropogenic stress (reflect threats) anticipatory (early warning) relatively easy to measure cost-effective (max. information/unit effort)

IndicatorsIndicators






Virtually all key attributes vary naturally over time.

Rate Status of Key Attributes (using Rate Status of Key Attributes (using indicators)indicators)If variations result from non-human factors:

can be said to be “natural,”or at least “acceptable.”

All conservation action is aimed at managing biodiversity’s key attributes within their acceptable range of variation.

We can not consider biodiversity “conserved” unless all its key attributes are maintained within these acceptable ranges of variation.






Ecological Integrity Assessment Worksheet Cosumnes River Reserve

Focal Biodiver-

sityCategory

Key Ecological Attribute

Indicator Poor Fair Good Very Good

Upper Floodplain: Chinook Salmon

Landscape Context

Migration: passage

flows

Magnitude and Timing of

Fall Flows

No connectivity between the

Delta and spawning habitat

Periods of flow of 60cfs at Michigan Bar during migration season and

at least 10 days of duration

Periods of flow between 60-200

cfs during migration season and at least 25

days of duration

Periods of flow > 200 cfs during migration season and >25 days

of duration


ConditionHabitat structure

(spawning)

Substrate Composition

of Rifflesfines > 50 % fines 10-50%; gravel

and cobble 50-90%

Approx. 80% gravel and 20%

cobble, some fine sediment

80% gravel, 20% cobble, no fines


ConditionRecruitment:

juvenile abundance

Abundance of Juveniles

0-0.1 catch/hr in a rotary screw

trap0.11-0.25 catch/hr 0.26-1 catch/hr >1 catch/hr


Size Population Size

Population of chinook

escapement

0-25 adults returning to

spawn

26-750 adults returning to spawn

751-2000 adults returning to

spawning habitat

> 2000 adults returning to spawning

habitat

Indicator Ratings

Poor:Poor: Restoration Restoration increasingly increasingly difficult; May difficult; May

result in result in extirpationextirpation

Fair:Fair:Outside Outside

acceptable range acceptable range of variation; of variation;

Requires human Requires human interventionintervention

Good:Good:Indicator w/in Indicator w/in

acceptable range acceptable range of variation; of variation;

Some Some intervention intervention required for required for maintenancemaintenance

Very Good:Very Good: Ecologically Ecologically

desirable desirable status; status;

Requires little Requires little intervention intervention

for for maintenancemaintenance






Ecological Integrity Assessment Worksheet Cosumnes River Reserve

Focal Biodiver-

sityCategory

Key Ecological Attribute

Indicator Poor Fair Good Very Good


Landscape Context ????

Magnitude and Timing of

Fall Flows

No connectivity between the

Delta and spawning habitat

???? ????

Periods of flow > 200 cfs during migration season and >25 days

of durationUpper

Floodplain: Chinook Salmon

ConditionHabitat structure

(spawning)

Substrate Composition

of Riffles???? fines 10-50%; gravel

and cobble 50-90%

Approx. 80% gravel and 20%

cobble, some fine sediment

????

Indicator Ratings

When data are lacking…When data are lacking…

Compare to reference systems or placesCompare to reference systems or places Use expertsUse experts Treat as iterative, treat as hypothesisTreat as iterative, treat as hypothesis Develop criteria for at least on key attributeDevelop criteria for at least on key attribute Focus on “Fair” & “Good” – conserved, or not.Focus on “Fair” & “Good” – conserved, or not. Use gaps to drive research prioritiesUse gaps to drive research priorities

Rating Biodiversity IntegrityRating Biodiversity Integrity

One or more key attributes are rated FairFair (outside its acceptable range of variation)

FairFair

One or more key attributes are rated PoorPoor (difficult to restore)

PoorPoor

GoodGood Majority of key attributes are rated GoodGood (within their acceptable ranges of variation)

Very Very GoodGood

Majority of key attributes are rated Very GoodVery Good

Biod

iver

sity

Ele

men

ts’

Ecol

ogic

al In

tegr

ity

is

Rate

d If:






Rating Overall Ecological Integrity for Rating Overall Ecological Integrity for Biodiversity Elements & for Ecological Integrity of Biodiversity Elements & for Ecological Integrity of a Park or Landscapea Park or Landscape

Grade Weight Grade Weight Grade Weight

1 Vernal pool grasslands Good 1 Fair 1 Good 1

2 Lower Floodplain Poor 1 Poor 1 Poor 1

3 Upper Floodplain: Chinook Salmon Fair 1 Fair 1 Fair 1

4 Upper Watershed Poor 1 Fair 1 Fair 1

5 Ione Chaparral Good 1 Good 1 Very Good 1

6 Blue Oak Woodland Poor 1 Good 1 Poor 1

7 - 1 - 1 - 1

8 - 1 - 1 - 1

Conservation Area Biodiversity Health Rank

Conservation TargetsLandscape Context Condition Size

Viability Rank

Good

Poor

Fair

Fair

Good

Fair

-

-

Fair

Overall Target Viability and Project Biodiversity Health summary -

Cosumnes River Reserve, California






++ ++ ==

Integrity measures influence Integrity measures influence priorities & are essential for priorities & are essential for adaptive managementadaptive management

Grade Weight Grade Weight Grade Weight

1 Vernal pool grasslands Good 1 Fair 1 Good 1

2 Lower Floodplain Poor 1 Poor 1 Poor 1

3 Upper Floodplain: Chinook Salmon Fair 1 Fair 1 Fair 1

4 Upper Watershed Poor 1 Fair 1 Fair 1

5 Ione Chaparral Good 1 Good 1 Very Good 1

6 Blue Oak Woodland Poor 1 Good 1 Poor 1

7 - 1 - 1 - 1

8 - 1 - 1 - 1

Conservation Area Biodiversity Health Rank

-

-

Fair

Fair

Fair

Good

Fair

SizeViability Rank

Good

Poor

Conservation TargetsLandscape Context Condition

• Improves threats assessmentsImproves threats assessments• Prioritizes conservation investmentsPrioritizes conservation investments• Bounds what activities inside and outside PA’s are Bounds what activities inside and outside PA’s are

acceptable: defines “sustainable”acceptable: defines “sustainable”• Informs monitoring programsInforms monitoring programs• Documents success and continued challenges Documents success and continued challenges

in Protected Area management in Protected Area management

Case studies in measuring Case studies in measuring ecological integrityecological integrity

• Silvia Benítez, Ecuador: Condor Bioreserve

• Long Yongcheng, China: Laojunshan, Yunnan Province

• Nestor Windevoxhel, Guatemala: Central America

• Fiona Leverington, Australia: Queensland National Park System

• Gilles Seutin, Canada: Banff and Fathom Five Reserve, Canada

SummarySummary

• Ecological Integrity Measures are essential for determining ultimate outcomes in biodiversity parks

• Tool are available from TNC for scientifically credible and consistent measurement

• Measure Key Ecological Attributes & their status relative to natural/acceptable ranges of variation

• Biodiversity is conserved when all key attributes are within acceptable ranges

• Use ecological integrity results to drive investments in action, monitoring, stakeholder awareness and research

Key ThemesKey Themes

• Importance of Ecological Integrity Measurement for Protected Area Management

• Advances in tool development to facilitate measuring ecological outcomes

• Challenges of limited data and resources• Experiences in measuring ecological

integrity and using results for adaptive management.

HousekeepingHousekeeping

•Revised Agenda•Materials Available•Change of Rooms in the Afternoon …

to 4-2•Question and Answer Panel

measuring what matters: the nature conservancy’s approach to ecological integrity measurement

Documents

conservation projectsdevelop

integrity team

ultimate conservation

focal biodiversity1

proven framework

tncs framework

s frameworksystemsemphasis

history of measures