Prioritizing Species and Actions Protocol Rita Dixon Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Why prioritize?
MOST critical needs
Species with the GREATEST conservation need
PRECLUDE the need to list
for%20website.pdf
“Best Practice” method or technique, through experience and research, has consistently shown results superior to those achieved by other means
Joseph, L. N., R. F. Maloney, and H. P. Possingham Optimal allocation of resources among threatened species: a project prioritization protocol. Conservation Biology 23:328–338.
Joseph et al Optimal Allocation
(1) Define objectives e.g., To secure (over a period of 50 years) the greatest number of threatened species of value given a limited budget
(2) List biodiversity assets of interest
(3) Weight assets Cultural significance Social values Economic importance Evolutionary significance Ecological function Endemicity Taxonomic distinctiveness Climate Change Sensitivity Threat status Conservation responsibility of jurisdiction for species
Levels of Endemism: State
Levels of Endemism: Ecoregion
Levels of Endemism: Region
Taxonomic distinctiveness
Assess Risk Range/Distribution Abundance/Condition Threats Trends (short- & long- term)
Threat Status SH Possibly Extirpated S1 Critically Imperiled S2 Imperiled S3 Vulnerable S4 Apparently Secure S5 Secure
(4) List management projects Choose an appropriate project for each species Project is minimum set of all necessary actions for obtaining a reasonable (≥95%) probability of securing the species over 50 y 4 compulsory components: – outcome monitoring – services and support – project management – infrastructure at least one optional intervention (e.g., captive breeding, translocation, pest animal control, weed control, legal actions, education) Specify precise location, intensity, and duration of management for each action
(5) Calculate the cost of each project Total estimated cost over a 10-year period (i.e., SWAP revision period)
(6) Predict the benefit to assets
(7) Estimate likelihood of success M i = probability that each project, i, could be implemented successfully N i = probability that, if implemented successfully, it would be reasonably (≥95%) successful in securing the species Total probability of success of each project, S i, = M i N i
(8) State constraints Identify constraints on the projects and the total budget Primary constraint is total budget available
(9) Rank projects
Idaho’s Online Prioritization Tool
Idaho’s Online Prioritization Tool