Challenges U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Future Two Bureaus, One Mission

What is the Future Challenges project? A USGS and FWS, future-oriented partnership in science- based conservation.

Partnership emerged from October 2003 meeting of USGS Executive Leadership Team and FWS Directorate. L to R, USGS Director Chip Groat and former USFWS Director Steve Williams

Future Challenges project goal: To position USGS and FWS to predict and respond to significant challenges to biodiversity and ecosystem function over next years.

Ground- breaking scientific research has historically provided basis for significant progress in addressing environmental challenges. Rachel Carson J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling

Far left column, endangered species researchers at Patuxent Research Refuge, 1950s-1960s; center, pioneering flyway field biologists Fred Lincoln and Elizabeth Losey, 1920s-1949; right column, Patuxent pesticide researchers R. Prouty, top, and Bill Reichel, 1950s-1960s. Unsung Heroes

It is our turn, and our responsibility, to build scientific foundation that will support conservation leaders who come after us.

Today, significant future impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem function are predicted from: Climate change Biotechnology Invasive species Water for ecological needs

Climate Change: 2-4 degree C. increase in earth’s temperature predicted by end of 21 st Century. (Courtesy of Dr. Dennis Ojima, Scientist/Professor, Colorado State University)

Mean temperature change over the globe Data source: Processed by the U.S. NCDC Global Climate at the Glance Mapping System

Global climate change of increasing interest in fish and wildlife conservation.

Biotechnology: A potential conservation tool, but genetic engineering poses potential threats to ecological functioning that need to be assessed. (Courtesy of Dr. Anne R. Kapuscinski, Professor/Institute Director, University of Minnesota)

Can modern biotechnology support natural resource conservation? To better understand and manage populations? To modify or manipulate organisms? To determine effects of modified organisms on existing populations?

The New York Times Nov 22, 2003 “Gene-Altering Revolution Nears the Pet Store: Glow-in-the-Dark Fish” Nature 27 November 2003 GloFish casts light on murky policing of transgenic animals Marketed without regulatory environmental review. FDA is lead authority. First Transgenic Animal on U.S. Market

Invasive Species: Scientists emphasize growing threat of invasive species to ecosystem function and native species conservation. (Courtesy of Dr. Jamie K. Reaser, President of Eco Systems Institute) Globalization: Trade-Travel-Transport

Consequences of invasive species are environmental and economic.

Invasives are: 2nd or 3rd most significant driver of environmental change globally. 2nd greatest threat to threatened and endangered species in United States, costing estimated $100 billion annually.

Water For Ecological Needs: Scientists predict significant implications for aquatic resource conservation from changes in use and allocation of water. (Courtesy of Dr. Robert M. Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, U.S. Geological Survey)

Total surface-water and ground-water withdrawals

Demand for ecosystem services is a major driver of changes in water allocations Farming Urban Thermal Farming Urban Ecosystem

Future Challenge: Elevating ecosystem requirements in water-use planning Old paradigm Minimum flow Static channel Surface water Single species New paradigm Whole hydrograph Dynamic channel And ground water Biological community

Climate change Invasive species Biotechnology Water for ecological needs Given these identified future challenges to ecosystem function and sustainability, USGS and FWS must lay both a science and a management foundation for future generations of decision-makers and resource managers.

Game Plan Work with employees to identify specific impacts of these four drivers of change on USGS and FWS science and conservation missions.

Game Plan Build institutionalized scientific capacity within USGS and FWS to jointly address these challenges to sustainable ecosystem function.

Game Plan Expand FWS and USGS partnership and collaboration with larger scientific community in addressing these challenges.

First Step — Open the Dialogue Future Challenges Workshop held August 10-12, 2004, at National Conservation Training Center.

Consistent themes, crosscutting issues emerged from workshop. Adaptive management Effective mitigation Long-term monitoring Data management and synthesis Leveraging resources Addressing priorities

Next Step – Broaden the Dialogue Distribute “Challenge Summaries.” Engage employees and partners.

Next Step – From Talk to Action Begin to build scientific foundation needed to address these four challenges now and in the future.

Next Step – From Talk to Action Engage USGS and FWS leadership at all levels in providing people and money to support priority research efforts.

Final Step – A New Beginning Create final plan to guide broad partnership in science-based conservation over next two decades.

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