Methods for identifying potential core representative areas for the Northwest Territories Protected Area Strategy : Terrestrial Coarse Filter Representation Analysis
Dates
Year
2008
Citation
Gah, E., Witten, E., Korpach, A., Skelton, J., and Wilson, J. M., 2008, Methods for identifying potential core representative areas for the Northwest Territories Protected Area Strategy : Terrestrial Coarse Filter Representation Analysis: Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, v. Manuscript Report No. 179, p. 88-88.
Summary
The goal of the Northwest Territories (NWT) Protected Areas Strategy (PAS) is to protect special natural and cultural areas, and core representative areas within each ecoregion of the NWT. Core representative areas are intact areas that best represent the biological diversity of an ecoregion. Protecting core representative areas will help maintain healthy wildlife populations and ecological processes. The PAS recognizes the need to apply the methods of conservation science to identify and protect core representative areas in each ecoregion. A methodology is being developed to identify options for core representative areas in the NWT, starting with the 16 ecoregions outlined in the Mackenzie Valley Action Plan. The method is based [...]
Summary
The goal of the Northwest Territories (NWT) Protected Areas Strategy (PAS) is to protect special natural and cultural areas, and core representative areas within each ecoregion of the NWT. Core representative areas are intact areas that best represent the biological diversity of an ecoregion. Protecting core representative areas will help maintain healthy wildlife populations and ecological processes. The PAS recognizes the need to apply the methods of conservation science to identify and protect core representative areas in each ecoregion. A methodology is being developed to identify options for core representative areas in the NWT, starting with the 16 ecoregions outlined in the Mackenzie Valley Action Plan. The method is based on the best practices in conservation planning, adapted to fit the context of the NWT. It begins with identifying areas that represent landscapes at a coarse scale. The theory and methods for this 'terrestrial coarse filter representation analysis' are described in this report. Protecting examples of landscape features – which make up habitats – should capture the majority of species without having to consider those species individually. We use a computer site selection software called 'Marxan' to find areas which represent examples of many different landscape features using the smallest amount of land possible. Three types of features are used: physiographic units, landscape units, and vegetation types. Initial objectives for how much of each landscape feature to represent are set to total approximately 30% of the land area. It is recognized that 30% land protection alone is not sufficient and that core representative areas must work in combination with functioning habitat outside of protected areas. There are multiple options for meeting ecological representation. Marxan can be used to explore these options through different scenarios. Three representation scenarios are discussed. A 'blank slate' scenario shows the most efficient way (i.e. least amount of land protected) to get ecological representation. A second scenario considers areas already protected, as well as special natural and cultural areas that communities have proposed for protection, and shows what additional areas are needed to achieve ecological representation. For the 16 Mackenzie Valley ecoregions, current protected area proposals meet full representation in only one ecoregion. A final scenario shows how well representation objectives can be met when development areas related to the proposed Mackenzie Gas Pipeline are excluded. Some landscape features can no longer be fully represented under these conditions. The Marxan terrestrial coarse filter analysis results are based on scientific data. They should be used as part of a conservation planning process in collaboration with other types of information including traditional knowledge, other development interests, fine filter information, and other scientific information to help identify and refine boundaries for protected areas. Results of various terrestrial coarse filter representation scenarios have been provided to several groups that make land use decisions. Additional customized scenarios with modified objectives can be generated for interested agencies and organizations. The results of these scenarios should be used to support protected area planning decisions in the NWT.
