1. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington Ocean/Envir 260 Lecture #10: Priority Conservation Areas in the Puget Sound Ecosystem 1

2. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington Moral complexity Would we really want no change? Some places, but not others? –Which places? –Why? –Who pays? Priority conservation areas in Puget Sound region; Fig 1-3, Saving Puget Sound

3. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 3 Landscape approach McHarg, Design with Nature (1969) –All landscape not of equal significance Protect most important Concentrate growth where least impact Compensate for impacts where most benefit

4. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington Willamette Alternative Futures Project Comparison to Puget Sound: –Slightly smaller (11,500 vs. 16K sq mi) –Half the population –Same growth rate –Similar ecologically Nature Conservancy: same ecoregion 4 Map of Nature Conservancy’s Puget/Georgia Basin/Willamette Ecoregion

5. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington Willamette Alternative Futures Project Plan Trend, Conservation, Development 2050 –All accommodate doubling population 5

6. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 6 Willamette Results Conservation future improved most indicators Did not account for: –Climate change –Invasive species –Other complications Doing so… –Lowers projected indicators –Widens relative benefits “0” line = current conditions, bar charts are all in comparison

7. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington Saving Puget Sound Defines “ecoregion” differently than “Puget Sound ecosystem” Adds small terrestrial areas: –Thurston County, to include S. Sound Prairies –Snoqualmie Wildlife Corridor 7

8. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 8 Disclaimer No study for Puget Sound comparable to Willamette Saving Puget Sound draws from distinct studies with different methods, goals Combines science with values –Overall goal: conserve biodiversity, “natural heritage” Cover page, final Willamette report

9. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 9 Priority conservation areas Rural sprawl Salmon refugia Prairie/oak habitats Priority forests –Snoqualmie wildlife corridor –Hood Canal Puget Sound shoreline River floodplains Riparian areas

10. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington Rural Sprawl Vs. urban sprawl: –Much more rural area –Higher ecological value –Higher growth rate ~5-acre developments –Legally allowed, even encouraged 10 Clearing for new rural development

11. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 11 Rural sprawl Results: –Habitat fragmentation –Eliminate highest stream health Willamette: Retain natural vegetation, cluster impacts The highest levels of stream health are only possible at very low levels of development; Horner et al (2003)

12. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 12 Salmon refuge basins Functions: –Strongholds, when conditions are poor –Sources for population expansion, when conditions are good Coho salmon very sensitive to development Ratio of coho salmon to cutthroat trout, vs indices of development; Horner (2003)

13. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 13 Salmon refuge basins Can’t save all –Must be strategic Distribute across major watersheds Olympic Peninsula, Hood Canal protected –National Park –Forest recommendation

14. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 14 Hood Canal forests Water quality –Slow circulation, flushing –Nitrogen delivery (alder) Crucial habitat –Amphibians (especially Olympics) –Birds (especially Kitsap) –Salmon Looking down on Lake Cushman, above S. Hood Canal

15. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 15 Snoqualmie wildlife corridor “Choke point” between North, South Cascades –Climate change increases importance “Checkerboard” ownership –Effort underway to purchase priority lands –I-90 wildlife bridges also address fragmentation Area between Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Mt Rainer NP and wilderness areas

16. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 16 South Puget Sound prairies Unique in otherwise forested landscape –Gophers, birds, butterflies… Glacial “outwash” soils Maintained by Native American brushfires Only 3% remains Ft Lewis prairie, camas in bloom Mima Mounds, S of Olympia

17. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 17 Overall priorities Where land meets water: –Puget Sound shoreline –Floodplains –Riparian areas But not all are regional priorities

18. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 18 Discussion Urban habitat protection/restoration is typically much more expensive than in rural areas, with less ecological benefit –Is it still important? Why? –How should we evaluate urban vs. rural habitat spending? Thornton Creek, North Seattle

19. Ocean/ENVIR 260 Autumn 2010Lecture 10© 2010 University of Washington 19 Recap: Priority Conservation Areas All landscape not of equal ecological importance Growth management is key –Urban and rural sprawl General priority: where land meets water Comprehensive approach across ecosystem can make a big difference