Scientists at The Wilderness Society (TWS), under the direction of Dr. Greg Aplet, are developing a collaborative conservation strategy that is especially pertinent during the new era of accelerated Climate Change. In short, the strategy is for society to designate a portfolio of three management strategies, zoned in large, contiguous areas across the landscape:
• Restoration zones where we try to repair the landscape and restore natural ecological patterns and processes that then can adapt to change
• Innovation zones in which the landscape is devoted to innovative management that anticipates climate change and guides ecological change to prepare for it; and,
• Observation zones in which the landscape is left to change on its own time to serve as a scientific “control” and to hedge against the unintended consequences of active management elsewhere.
The large contiguous areas are essential to minimize the deleterious edge effects that happen when the negative aspects of one zone bleed into the neighboring zone. The problem and the strategy are detailed more in a short article in the Pinchot Letter.
Given this strategy, a whole host of questions arise about where and how these zones should be mapped on the landscape. TWS has contracted Conservation Biology Institute (CBI) to help address these spatial challenges. The answers are context specific, so we are building a spatial decision support system (SDSS) to aid with these questions for any given landscape. A good SDSS combines information and human values in a systematic manner to provide maps, charts, and reports in a variety of easy-to-use formats, including within a web-browser. The CBI/TWS partnership is building a prototype SDSS now, using the Sierra Nevada mountains in California as a pilot study area. The SDSS is to be transparent, and customizable to the politics and ecology of a given region. Hence, we are building it on top of the Environmental Evaluation Modeling System (EEMS) using ArcGIS models and scripts, and the products are viewable to project advisors via Data Basin and EEMS Explorer (the EEMS graphical user interface in Data Basin).
Some of the methods and specifications for the foundation of the SDSS are as follows:
• A region of study is divided into a large set of spatially explicit reporting units (or planning units) that cover the region in entirety.
• The end user can choose from a variety of nested regions of study (such as the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Reference Region, the Southern Sierra Nevada, or Sierra National Forest).
• The SDSS is to provide spatially explicit scenarios, each based on a set of parameter values and assumptions.
• For each scenario, each reporting unit in the study region is assigned to one of the three zones. This is to provide decision support, not decision making.
• Reporting units are selected for one zone or another based on both the composition of the unit as well as its spatial context.
Some of the details about the allocation algorithm are as follows:
• Many composition criteria can be considered; for now, there are 13 relating to the suitability and influence of pre-existing land designations, one regarding fire management, and 3 regarding ecological condition. For instance, Wilderness Areas are more suitable for the observation zone than the other two zones.
• A representation algorithm makes sure that reporting units allocated to each zone are distributed among one or several elevation bands, and several sub regions. (More geographic classes, such as habitat type, are pending.)
• A preliminary contiguity algorithm ensures that the allocations for each zone are clumped thereby minimizing fragmentation and deleterious edge effects.
• Addition of a CBI algorithm is pending that will further improve connectivity between core areas of each zone, thereby facilitating species movement within a zone during a changing climate.
The SDSS is currently in the Prototype stage that will undergo an evaluation and another round of development before release to partners. If anyone is interested in providing input, advice, and/or reviews on the work in progress at some point, or simply joining the announcement list, please contact Dr. Greg Aplet or Dr. John Gallo. Please contact Dr. Gallo regarding potential collaborations customizing the SDSS code and methodology for other types of multi-objective allocation projects.
The Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Conservation Assessment and Strategy is multi-agency effort led by CBI to conserve and recover an imperiled population of Pacific fisher (Pekania pennanti) in the southern Sierra Nevada in California. Beginning in 2007, the project was originally a voluntary collaboration amongst agencies sharing an interest in conserving fishers. However, the southern Sierra Nevada “distinct population” of fishers was listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2020, and the project is therefore being restructured to better align with the regulatory process that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) must follow to develop an endangered species recovery plan.
Since 2007, CBI has supported the project with scientific analyses and led the effort that produced a comprehensive state-of-the-science assessment in 2015 (Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Conservation Assessment) and a draft conservation strategy in 2016 (Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Conservation Strategy). However, dramatic changes in fisher habitat due to historic drought and extreme wildfire impacts, coupled with the listing of the population as Endangered in 2020, have necessitated a complete re-evaluation of the species’ status and new approaches for conserving and recovering the population. In support, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) provided CBI with a “Section 6” grant in June 2024 to guide this next phase of planning.
Previous Southern Sierra Fisher Conservation Assessments and Strategies
The 2015 Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Conservation Assessment and 2016 Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Conservation Strategy were completed with funding provided by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC), USDA Forest Service (Pacific Southwest Region), Resources Legacy Fund, and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Assessment summarized the best available scientific information on fishers and their habitats in the area at that time, including population size, distribution, and trends; ecology; habitat requirements across multiple spatial scales (from the population or landscape scale to the scale of individual denning or resting structures); and threats to fishers and their habitat. The 2016 Conservation Strategy used this information to provide guidance for reducing threats and increasing the quality and resiliency of fisher habitat. It was compatible with diverse agency missions, objectives, and legal requirements, meeting the needs of multiple agencies with an interest in fisher conservation and land management in the Sierra Nevada.
A New Approach
Now, beginning in 2024, CBI will be working with partners to adapt and update the information in all of the previous products with the latest scientific information and context. This current approach will closely align with new USFWS guidance for their statutorily mandated Endangered Species Recovery Planning process. In keeping with this guidance, the project will produce a new Species Status Assessment (SSA), a Recovery Plan, and a Recovery Implementation Strategy (RIS) using the best available scientific information. More information on the USFWS recovery planning process can be found at Recovery Planning Implementation.
For more information about this effort, please contact Wayne Spencer, wdspencer@consbio.org, or Deanne DiPietro deanne.dipietro@consbio.org.
Conserved lands in southern San Diego County form the cornerstone of the San Diego Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) network. This region supports the largest expanse of remaining coastal habitats in southern California—coastal sage scrub, maritime succulent scrub, chaparral, riparian woodlands, vernal pools, and grasslands. Intact landscapes are critical to genetic interchange within plant and animal populations and allow dispersal and recolonization of new areas. Large landscapes that span elevational gradients, such as this core area in south San Diego County, also enable populations to shift in response to environmental and land use changes.
State Route 94 (SR-94) cuts through the heart of this core area, potentially impeding wildlife movement across otherwise intact landscapes. New residential development and a casino under construction in Jamul will increase traffic and potentially impact the wildlife value and connectivity of adjacent conserved lands. Proposed road improvements associated with these new land uses provide an opportunity to mitigate the potential barrier effects of SR-94. Scientific literature suggests that strategically-placed wildlife fencing along roads, combined with effective wildlife crossing areas (e.g., undercrossings, overcrossings, bridges) are the most effective means of influencing animal behavior and directing animal movement, thereby reducing roadkill, enhancing connectivity, and improving traffic safety.
The purpose of this document is to provide available background information and connectivity objectives for multiple taxa that use this area and to identify potential infrastructure examples that could improve connectivity across the south county preserves. This document describes land uses, vegetation communities, and existing infrastructure along 12 miles of SR-94 and identifies potential locations, by road segment, where enhancements to existing undercrossings and additional fencing could facilitate wildlife movement across conserved lands. Because there are little wildlife movement data for this area, we outline wildlife movement studies and systematic collection of roadkill data that should begin now to inform and refine the actual design and placement of wildlife fencing and crossing structures. Once implemented, post-construction monitoring should be conducted to ensure that the new infrastructure is functional and cost-effective.
CBI and AECOM worked with the San Diego Management and Monitoring Program (SDMMP) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – with oversight from the wildlife agencies – to develop preserve management plans that incorporate elements of the Management Strategic Plan for Conserved Lands in western San Diego County, related Strategic Plans for invasive species and wildlife connectivity, and any relevant regional habitat conservation subarea plans. These management plans serve as pilots for the standardized development of resource management plans by other land managers throughout the region. We developed plans for two preserve complexes: (1) the Southwest Otay Mesa preserve complex, which includes lands owned and managed by the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and (2) the Greater Crestridge Ecological Reserve Complex, which includes lands owned and managed by the Endangered Habitats Conservancy (EHC). The latter plan was finalized (including a detailed, 5-year budget) in 2017, updated with additional preserves in 2018, and is being implemented by EHC land managers.
Plan development differs from traditional approaches in that we conducted rapid assessments to identify threats that needed immediate management attention rather than comprehensive biological surveys. We also identified potentially-occurring biological resources, future survey needs, preserve-specific management priorities, SMART goals, objectives, and action items, and opportunities for coordinated management across preserve boundaries.
Funding for this project was through the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), with additional funding from the Endangered Habitats Conservancy to update the Greater Crestridge Ecological Reserve Complex Framework Resource Management Plan.
Working closely with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), CBI conducted an assessment of the risk to the bottomland hardwood/wetland forests of the US Southeast to the growing threat from the wood pellet industry largely to fuel power plants throughout the European Union (EU). The final report released by NRDC was entitled, “In the U.S. Southeast, Natural Forests are Being Felled to Send Fuels Overseas“.
This report details the threats facing Southeastern U.S. Forests, which is widely recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, from the wood pellet industry, which has seen a 150 percent increase in wood pellet exports between 2012-2015. The report explains that 24 million acres of unprotected Southeastern forest lands are at risk and predicts that pellet manufacturing could increase to be twelve times larger than it currently is by 2020. For a one-hour webinar dedicated to this topic, see Bioenergy Threatens Wetland Forests of the US Southeast.
CBI is providing science and technical support to assist the California Energy Commission (CEC) in planning the state’s future energy needs, which includes achieving aggressive renewable energy goals with minimal damage to natural systems. Building off of previous work completed for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), CBI is working to improve access and transparency of scientific data, maps and analysis. As a subset of the work, CBI is supporting the Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative 2.0 (RETI). RETI, according to the CEC, “is an open, transparent, and science-based process that will explore the abundant renewable generation resources in California and throughout the West, consider critical land use and environmental constraints, and identify potential transmission opportunities that could access and integrate renewable energy with the most environmental, economic, and community benefits.”
CBI is developing additional data, models, tools, and technical assistance that align with statewide energy and climate change adaptation planning. This work extends the information and tools previously built for the DRECP planning region to other areas of the state particularly in areas with high renewable energy potential.
Climate change and related impacts such as drought and wildfire are growing concerns throughout the state. In response, CBI is developing additional datasets and visualization applications to put this information into statewide context. CBI will deliver this data and information to the CEC and other California State agencies.
The Santa Barbara County Conservation Blueprint provides a common language and platform for publicly available data to support in depth conversations and informed decisions about the Santa Barbara County landscape. This collaborative project aims to describe the current landscape, natural resources, and community values about land in Santa Barbara County.
CBI is supporting this process for the Santa Barbara County region. The process is led by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, Cachuma Resource Conservation District, and the Santa Barbara Foundation’s LEAF Initiative to develop a Conservation Gateway for Santa Barbara County. This process is also guided by a 12-member Steering Committee representing agriculture, conservation, resource management, and the natural sciences.
This data gathering and community engagement process led to a Conservation “Blueprint” (including a Data Basin Gateway) that is providing a science based decision-making platform for future conservation in the county, including acquisition, restoration and guidance for other potential land management opportunities. In the long-term, this process is expected to include collective visioning, tool- sharing and collaborative strategies. The effort will strengthen the region’s integrity by building community, sharing information, and facilitating stewardship.
Visit www.sbcblueprint.net to learn more about the Blueprint project and explore the online Atlas.
The Crestridge Ecological Reserve (CER) is owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and managed by the Endangered Habitats Conservancy (EHC), while the South Crest Preserve Complex which is owned and managed by EHC. Together these properties comprise approximately 4,000 acres of conserved land in San Diego County, CA. They high value species and habitats, and function as a critical linkage between conserved lands in the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge to the south and the Cleveland National Forest to the north and east.
CBI has provided science support for these lands since 2000, including baseline surveys, vegetation mapping, rare plant monitoring, invasive species mapping and management, habitat restoration, and experimental programs to develop or refine Best Management Practices (BMPs) for adaptive management onsite and in the region. In addition, CBI prepared the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan for Crestridge and is currently preparing the Resource Management Plan for the South Crest Preserve Complex. These activities are documented in reports. Please refer to Data Basin for spatial data:
https://databasin.org/groups/92c7bce8d88d43b3a800dd686195007e/content#expand=22873
https://databasin.org/groups/92c7bce8d88d43b3a800dd686195007e/content#expand=22873%2C22874
https://databasin.org/groups/92c7bce8d88d43b3a800dd686195007e/content#expand=22873%2C28744
https://databasin.org/groups/92c7bce8d88d43b3a800dd686195007e/content#expand=22873%2C28744%2C82726
Southern California NCCPs support edaphic endemic plants that face low genetic diversity due to reduced population sizes, geographic isolation, and loss of pollinators. To enhance the resilience of these species across their ranges, we must manage threats to increase population sizes, identify potentially suitable habitat to connect existing populations, find or restore new populations, and provide opportunities for shifting distributions due to climate change. The Management Strategic Plan for San Diego County requires prioritization and management for edaphic endemic plants, including the five species addressed in this proposal: Acanthomintha ilicifolia, Brodiaea filifolia, Deinandra conjugens, Nolina interrata, and Tetracoccus dioicus. Regional goals include maintaining or expanding existing occurrences or establishing new occurrences to increase resilience to environmental stochasticity, maintaining genetic diversity, and ensuring persistence over the long-term in native plant communities.
This study presents an approach for identifying and describing geographic areas that support edaphic endemic species and their habitat in a design that enhances resilience and provides opportunities for shifting distributions. We developed conceptual models to inform field studies and management, refined soils and vegetation attributes, and assessed regional population structure and threats. We used results to suggest prioritized locations for surveys, management, potential translocation, and additional conservation or acquisition. Project partners (U.S. Geological Survey and San Diego Management and Monitoring Program) modeled suitable habitat for the target species under current and future climate scenarios; we reference models as appropriate.
All target species occur on nutrient poor soils, and each species is associated with a unique suite of physical and chemical soil properties. We provide a range of variables for each species that can inform site selection for management and restoration. Testing soil before enhancing or augmenting small occurrences will allow us to locate suitable sites and eliminate or remediate unsuitable sites with remnant populations before investing management funds.
We used distribution data, habitat suitability models, genetic principles and information to develop regional population structures for each target species. We then identified populations or population groups important for long-term resilience and locations where conservation and management actions would be most beneficial.
Models predict declining habitat in the future for all target species under various climate scenarios, although the amount of predicted habitat remaining varies among species. We recommend conserving future predicted suitable habitat within or beyond San Diego County, and experimentally translocating target species into this habitat as climatic conditions change if monitoring indicates further species declines.
This work contributes to San Diego NCCP subarea plans in progress and other NCCPs. The project area includes the North County MSCP, South County MSCP, and MHCP.
CBI biologists Patricia Gordon-Reedy, Spring Strahm, and Jessie Vinje worked with the San Diego Management and Monitoring Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), and San Diego County land managers on this project. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife funded this work under a Local Assistance Grant.