1. Criterion 1: Conservation of Biological Diversity Indicator Refinement: What is the state of Indicator Science? 1. Overview of the Criterion 2. Review of Indicator Relationships 4. What is indicator “refinement” ? 3. Lessons learned

2. Overview of Criterion 1 What is this criterion and why is it important? Definition: “...the variability among living organisms from all sources…” (terrestrial and aquatic) “…and the ecological complexes of which they are a part: this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.” Convention on Biological Diversity “…the variety of living organisms, the genetic differences among them, and the communities and ecosystems in which they occur…” Keystone Center

3. CriterionSub-criteriaIndicators Biodiversity Ecosystem Diversity Species Diversity Genetic Diversity 3. Forest area protected 4. Age class protected 5. Fragmentation 6. Species richness 7. Conservation status 8. Range reduction 9. Population trends 1. Forest type area 2. Area by age class

4. Overview of Criterion 1 What is this criterion and why is it important? Resource Development (Human Enterprise) Biological Diversity Ecosystem Stress (-) Ecosystem Services (+)

5. Leading Indicators Trailing Indicators Indicator Relationships: A Conceptual Model Distribution & Abundance of Spp Forest Amount Indicators 1 & 2 Spatial Arrangement Indicator 5 Protected Status Indicators 3 & 4 Range / Population Trends Indicators 8 & 9 Habitat Capacity Occupancy / Abundance Indicators 6 & 7 Rarity & Extinction

6. Lessons Learned Purpose/Scope of the National Report: - Document the extent to which the indicators could be quantified (feasibility). - Report on the state of the forests in the United States (interpretation).

7. Lessons Learned Feasibility is the easy part….interpretation is hard! - How do we integrate across indicators? It’s hard/impossible to have one indicator that fully describes all the important aspects of _____. - How do we select the most important aspects of each indicator – or should we?

8. Lessons Learned Consensus is an artifact. - By what basis do we judge the indicators? It is easy to dismiss the process for the lack lack of data. - How do address data gaps?

9. What is indicator “refinement” ? 1.Evaluate indicators against the experience gained during the 1 st National Report. (Synthesis). 2. Evaluate indicators against a set of criteria to judge relevance to assessing sustainability. (Testing).

10. What criteria have been proposed to judge indicators? Dale & Beyeler (2001) Ease of measurement Sensitivity to stresses Response is predictable Anticipatory Management can correct Low variability in response NCSSF (2003) Relevance – indicator responds to stressor Practical – feasibility of measuring Scientific merit – support in the literature Ecological breadth – indicates across a number of components Utility – can decision be made

11. Ecosystem Behavior Under Stress Stressor Nutrient pool Productivity Species diversity Indicators Pollution T A Exotics T A Extreme events T A Resource Extraction T A – * – * – – – + – + – – * * * * * * – * – * – – Rapport et al. 1985. Am Nat T = terrestrial A = aquatic + positive – negative * uncertain