OUR ECOSYSTEM SEEMS HEALTHY, BUT CAN I SHOW IT? Development of an Ecosystem Indicator and Focus Species Management Plan National Military Fish and Wildlife Association Annual Training Meeting Denver, Colorado March 2014 Bob Schallmann, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach

 Primary Naval munitions facility on west coast  965 acres designated as Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge  Important refueling station on the Pacific Flyway  Breeding stronghold for several state and federally listed threatened and endangered species Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach

Traditional Methodology  Special Status Species Focus –Endangered Species Protection / Management –“Don’t See The Forest For The Trees”  Baseline Surveys – Expensive – Time and Labor Intensive – Often Large Time Gaps Between Efforts

Ecosystem Management  “Ten Guiding Principles” 1.Maintain and improve the sustainability and native biodiversity of ecosystems 2.Administer with consideration of ecological units and timeframes 3.Support sustainable human activities 4.Develop a vision of ecosystem health 5.Develop priorities and reconcile conflicts 6.Develop coordinated approaches to work toward ecosystem health 7.Rely on the best science and data available 8.Use benchmarks to monitor and evaluate outcomes 9.Use adaptive management 10.Implement through installation plans and programs

Definitions  Focal Species –Those species of particular management interest (tied to regulations, funding, etc.)  Indicator Species –Species that can signal disturbance in the system by exhibiting a specific response to environmental change.

Six Components of the Plan 1.Review Potential Species 2.Review of Scientific Literature 3.Based on Above, Select Species 4.Develop Short-Term and Long- Term Management Strategies 5.Develop Schedule for Monitoring 6.Establish Monitoring Protocols

Six Components of the Plan  Review Potential Species  Endangered  Threatened  At-Risk  Cornerstone Species  Species of Regional Interest  Think to the Future

Six Components of the Plan  Review of Scientific Literature  Recent Studies  Ongoing Research  Local Expertise  Universities  Government Agencies  Private Sector  Consider Threats/Stressors

Potential Stressors  Physical –Climate Change, Erosion, Fire, Human Use  Biological –Habitat Conversion, Invasives, Predators  Chemical –Water Quality, Pollution, Pesticides  Social/Political –Encroachment, Funding, Regulations

Six Components of the Plan  Select Species  Based on Prior Two Steps, Select Initial Species  Needs to be Adaptable to Account for Future Changes

Six Components of the Plan  Develop Short-Term Strategies  Invasive Species Removal  Habitat Restoration  Develop Long-Term Strategies  Military Mission  Habitat Conversion

Six Components of the Plan  Develop Schedule for Monitoring  Rotational Basis by Taxa  Balance Monitoring Frequency with Cost of Implementation  Remain Flexible Based on New Data

Six Components of the Plan  Establish Monitoring Protocols  Consistency = Reliable Data Interpretation  Many Protocols Already Developed  Each Survey Period Results in a Snap-Shot in Time  Occasional Baseline Surveys to Capture Existence of New Species

Special Thanks to…  Brandon Barr, Rob Lovich, US Navy  USGS  ICF International  Merkel and Associates  MultiMAC JV

Photo by Jim Salywoda Thank you! Contact Information: Bob Schallmann Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach