A systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of Nova Scotia and Maine
Focal species are a critical component of conservation planning, along with representation of ecosystems, special elements and ecologically sustainable management. They warrant conservation attention because they are functionally important, wide-ranging or space-demanding, habitat-quality indicators...
Published in: | Environmental Conservation |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
2004
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0376892904001249 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0376892904001249 |
id |
crcambridgeupr:10.1017/s0376892904001249 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
crcambridgeupr:10.1017/s0376892904001249 2024-09-15T17:56:28+00:00 A systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of Nova Scotia and Maine BEAZLEY, KAREN CARDINAL, NATHAN 2004 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0376892904001249 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0376892904001249 en eng Cambridge University Press (CUP) https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms Environmental Conservation volume 31, issue 2, page 91-101 ISSN 0376-8929 1469-4387 journal-article 2004 crcambridgeupr https://doi.org/10.1017/s0376892904001249 2024-08-14T04:03:47Z Focal species are a critical component of conservation planning, along with representation of ecosystems, special elements and ecologically sustainable management. They warrant conservation attention because they are functionally important, wide-ranging or space-demanding, habitat-quality indicators, ‘flagship’, and/or vulnerable or special populations. A delphi survey matrix-based approach, involving regional experts in the selection of potential focal species, was applied in Nova Scotia, Canada and Maine, USA. Matrices with native species on one axis and selection characteristics on the other axis were used to summarize expert knowledge and judgment. Characteristics were related to biological traits and habitat requirements that make some species more vulnerable than others in human-modified landscapes. In Nova Scotia and Maine, 19 and 11 experts, respectively, completed the matrices, which were subsequently numerically assessed. Species with the highest scores were identified as potential focal species, including wolf, cougar, lynx, river otter, eastern pipistrelle, wood turtle, four-toed salamander, golden eagle and Atlantic salmon. Concerns remain around the lack of representation of some classes of species, subjectivity in selecting and weighting characteristics, and the relative nature of assessing species against the characteristics. Accordingly, potential focal species should be subject to verification through more rigorous and quantitative analysis and monitoring. Nonetheless, if applied with care, the matrix-based approach can provide a relatively systematic and effective way of engaging regional experts in focal species selection. Article in Journal/Newspaper Atlantic salmon golden eagle Lynx Cambridge University Press Environmental Conservation 31 2 91 101 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Cambridge University Press |
op_collection_id |
crcambridgeupr |
language |
English |
description |
Focal species are a critical component of conservation planning, along with representation of ecosystems, special elements and ecologically sustainable management. They warrant conservation attention because they are functionally important, wide-ranging or space-demanding, habitat-quality indicators, ‘flagship’, and/or vulnerable or special populations. A delphi survey matrix-based approach, involving regional experts in the selection of potential focal species, was applied in Nova Scotia, Canada and Maine, USA. Matrices with native species on one axis and selection characteristics on the other axis were used to summarize expert knowledge and judgment. Characteristics were related to biological traits and habitat requirements that make some species more vulnerable than others in human-modified landscapes. In Nova Scotia and Maine, 19 and 11 experts, respectively, completed the matrices, which were subsequently numerically assessed. Species with the highest scores were identified as potential focal species, including wolf, cougar, lynx, river otter, eastern pipistrelle, wood turtle, four-toed salamander, golden eagle and Atlantic salmon. Concerns remain around the lack of representation of some classes of species, subjectivity in selecting and weighting characteristics, and the relative nature of assessing species against the characteristics. Accordingly, potential focal species should be subject to verification through more rigorous and quantitative analysis and monitoring. Nonetheless, if applied with care, the matrix-based approach can provide a relatively systematic and effective way of engaging regional experts in focal species selection. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
BEAZLEY, KAREN CARDINAL, NATHAN |
spellingShingle |
BEAZLEY, KAREN CARDINAL, NATHAN A systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of Nova Scotia and Maine |
author_facet |
BEAZLEY, KAREN CARDINAL, NATHAN |
author_sort |
BEAZLEY, KAREN |
title |
A systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of Nova Scotia and Maine |
title_short |
A systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of Nova Scotia and Maine |
title_full |
A systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of Nova Scotia and Maine |
title_fullStr |
A systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of Nova Scotia and Maine |
title_full_unstemmed |
A systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of Nova Scotia and Maine |
title_sort |
systematic approach for selecting focal species for conservation in the forests of nova scotia and maine |
publisher |
Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
publishDate |
2004 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0376892904001249 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0376892904001249 |
genre |
Atlantic salmon golden eagle Lynx |
genre_facet |
Atlantic salmon golden eagle Lynx |
op_source |
Environmental Conservation volume 31, issue 2, page 91-101 ISSN 0376-8929 1469-4387 |
op_rights |
https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0376892904001249 |
container_title |
Environmental Conservation |
container_volume |
31 |
container_issue |
2 |
container_start_page |
91 |
op_container_end_page |
101 |
_version_ |
1810432670748901376 |