The Pacific Region National Wildlife Refuge System developed a strategic approach to identify region-wide land/habitat conservation priorities. This approach was piloted in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion and resulted in a high-level landscape-scale conservation design. Working closely with conservation partners in the region, we developed a data management and analysis model that builds from existing data sets and can be shared easily with other partners.
FY20122012 Objectives: Document a case study on implementing strategic conservation design for the refuge system, which can serve as a model and be applied to other geographic areas Develop a clear picture of landscape scale priorities in the Columbia Plateau, along with data and decision support tools to support the NWRS mission at the landscape scale Forge important relationships with other GNLCC partners in the Columbia Plateau
FY20132013 Objectives: Assess the integrity of conservation targets within a subset of Phase 1 (FY12) priority areas. Develop and pilot a more rapid on-the-ground approach to assess ecological integrity, which will allow for more efficient application of the EIA framework in future monitoring and assessment actions. Define metrics for characterizing current condition and for tracking progress toward achieving the partnerships habitat protection goals, and use them to determine monitoring priorities. Synthesize existing climate change knowledge using NatureServes integrative Habitat Climate Change Vulnerability Index (HCCVI). Develop a spatial database of climate change impacts from existing sources, and new spatial analyses that describe the impacts on conservation targets. Use NatureServes Vista Decision Support System to assess the vulnerability of priority areas and the existing conservation estate. Conduct a workshop to engage regional managers in reviewing the vulnerability assessment, and identifying high-priority adaptation strategies.
FY20142014 Objectives:
This project will focus on integrating existing riverine/riparian landscape analyses to support decision making by the Arid Lands Initiative and associated partners in the Columbia Basin Partner Forum. This synthesis will produce a map of priority areas for the riparian and riverine landscape, and will include a stressors and threats analysis, with an assessment of resiliency to climate change. We will also complete the first phase of a multi-year project to develop an ecological systems classification for riverine systems in the Columbia Basin.
Objectives1. Evaluate existing analyses and prioritizations including Northwest Power and Conservation Council Subbasin Plans and the WGA Crucial Habitat Initiative prioritizations.2. Identify current areas of high integrity that meet ALI conservation goals for riverine systems using a web-based decision support tool.3. Assess the vulnerability and resiliency of these priority areas to climate change and other stressors.4. Develop a spatial riverine classification.5. Share the results and products with the ALI and the GNLCC.
