Planning for population viability on Northern Great Plains national grasslands

F. B. Samson; F.L. Knopf; C.W. McCarthy; B.R. Noon; W.R. Ostlie; S.M. Rinehart; S. Larson; G. E. Plumb; G.L. Schenbeck; D.N. Svingen; T.W. Byer

USGS · 1015108

Planning for population viability on Northern Great Plains national grasslands

F. B. Samson·F.L. Knopf·C.W. McCarthy·B.R. Noon·W.R. Ostlie·S.M. Rinehart·S. Larson·G. E. Plumb·G.L. Schenbeck·D.N. Svingen·T.W. Byer

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Abstract

Broad-scale information in concert with conservation of individual species must be used to develop conservation priorities and a more integrated ecosystem protection strategy. In 1999 the United States Forest Service initiated an approach for the 1.2× 10 6 ha of national grasslands in the Northern Great Plains to fulfill the requirement to maintain viable populations of all native and desirable introduced vertebrate and plant species. The challenge was threefold: 1) develop basic building blocks in the conservation planning approach, 2) apply the approach to national grasslands, and 3) overcome differences that may exist in agency-specific legal and policy requirements. Key assessment components in the approach included a bioregional assessment, coarse-filter analysis, and fine-filter analysis aimed at species considered at-risk. A science team of agency, conservation organization, and university personnel was established to develop the guidelines and standards and other formal procedures for implementation of conservation strategies. Conservation strategies included coarse-filter recommendations to restore the tallgrass, mixed, and shortgrass prairies to conditions that approximate historical ecological processes and landscape patterns, and fine-filter recommendations to address viability needs of individual and multiple species of native animals and plants. Results include a cost-effective approach to conservation planning and recommendations for addressing population viability and biodiversity concerns on national grasslands in the Northern Great Plains.

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F. B. Samson, F.L. Knopf, C.W. McCarthy, B.R. Noon, W.R. Ostlie, S.M. Rinehart, S. Larson, G. E. Plumb, G.L. Schenbeck, D.N. Svingen, T.W. Byer. 2003. Planning for population viability on Northern Great Plains national grasslands. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/1015108

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