Habitat

Conservation Planning

November 12, 2015

Overview

*Components and Threats
*Local Example
*Planning Mechanisms,
Old and New

"We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." - Aldo Leopold

Leopold's Land Ethic

Landscape Ecology

• "Emphasizes the interaction between spatial patterns and ecological processes, that is, the causes and consequences of spatial heteorogeneity across a range of scale." (Turner, 2001)
• "Concerns organisms and their interactions with configurations and type of landscape elements"

Landscape Components

Urban Example

Habitat Planning

• Configuration of spatial elements relative to need, both human and natural
• High level goal: maintain heterogeneity and biodiversity
• Difficult to plan for mobile wildlife but simpler to plan for sufficient habitat
• Something to consider: urban planning as habitat planning for humans

Threats

• Fragmentation

• Erosion to Development

• Poor Management

• Lack of Adaptation

• Introduction of Non-Native Species

Land Configuration Matters

• Patch size

• Patch shape

• Patch connectivity

• Patch structure

Patch Shape

Patch Shape Cont.

Patch Connectivity

Patch Structure

Planning for Connectivity

Factors to consider when prioritizing conservation:

• The forces and motivation creating a species' need to move (natural vs. unnatural, esp)
• The possible avenues of movement
• The target or destination of movement

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Culverts and non-temporary walls finished in 2010 after 10 years of lobbying

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Highway 27 north of TLH became one of the most deadly roadways in the world for turtles. In Feb 2000, 90 killed in just a single day.

Methods of Assessment

• Habitat Inventories
• Gap Analysis
  • Determine areas with high biodiversity potential
  • Compare with existing management practices to identify gaps

Goals of Implementation

• Maximize open space and protect the most valuable wildlife habitat
• Retain and plant native vegetation
• Provide habitat enhancements through connection 
• Educate residents and give opportunities for engagement and observation

Methods of Implementation

• State Wildlife Action Plan
  • In Florida, updated every 5 years. Last in 2012
  • http://myfwc.com/media/2663010/StateWildlife ActionPlan.pdf
  • Mechanism for prioritizing and administering funds
• Habitat Conservation Plans
  • Authorized under Endangered Species Act when projects show potential for negative impact

Habitat Conservation Plans

• Intended to find balance between habitat conservation and land use development when taking occurs
• At minimum they require:
  • the impact that will likely result from the taking
  • what steps applicant will take to minimize and mitigate such impacts, and the funding that will be available to implement such steps
  • what alternative steps were the applicant considered and reason why they were not selected
  • other measures the department may considered necessary or appropriate 

More info: http://www.flbeacheshcp.com/docs/FLBHCP%20Primer.pdf

NGO Efforts

Alternative Strategies: Large Land Holders as Plan Makers

• In 2011, 10 companies owned almost 10% of the state; significant power to influence land use & conservation and key players in the future of the state
• Top Three in 2011: (1) Plum Creek Timber, (2) St. Joe Company, (3) Foley Timber Co.
• "A central lesson derived from the St. Joe case study is that government with large landowners in its jurisdictions should view these landowners as potential assets to plan-making processes." - Dr. Tim Chapin, FSU

Optional Sector Plan: Regional Scale Thinking

But, land changes, hands! 
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/08/usa-florida-mormons-idUSL2N0IT2AZ20131108#bHeyXGbW71J3MFk4.97

Emerging Habitat Conservation Tools

A Drone's Eye View:
https://www.ted.com/talks/lian_pin_koh_a_drone_s_eye_view_of_conservation?language=en