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Transcript
Development of a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for Georgia Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Georgia’s Biological Diversity Georgia’s Biological Diversity National Ranks 2nd in number of amphibians 3rd in number of freshwater fishes 3rd in number of crayfishes 7th in number of reptiles 7th in number of vascular plants Georgia’s Biological Diversity Ranked 6th nationally in the number of vascular plants, vertebrate animals, and selected invertebrates Threats to Georgia’s Biodiversity Habitat conversion or destruction Habitat fragmentation Invasive exotic species Acute environmental stressors Excessive predation, disease Accelerated climate change Poaching Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS) Georgia DNR has committed to develop and begin implementation by October 1, 2005 Current project will produce draft strategy by December 2004 Funded under FY2002 State Wildlife Grant to Wildlife Resources Division Involves collaboration with all natural resource agencies and organizations operating in Georgia Project Goal: To develop a statewide wildlife conservation plan that provides an objective assessment of the status and conservation needs of native wildlife and presents a prioritized set of strategies for protecting, restoring, and maintaining these species and their habitats Components of CWCS Rare species/natural community database development Identification of data gaps and survey needs Biological surveys of public and private lands State, federal, local government lands Lands of private cooperators Components of CWCS Assessment of distributions of species and natural communities and selection of high priority conservation targets Development of conservation lands & sites databases Existing conservation lands High priority sites for protection Components of CWCS Cooperation with local governments on development of conservation plans Collaboration with state and federal agencies on habitat protection and restoration programs Providing technical support to private conservation organizations Components of CWCS Review of existing conservation laws, rules, and policies Review of land protection programs Public input and educational outreach Administrative Structure for CWCS Project Executive Committee Steering Committee Project Director Technical Teams Public Input CWCS Technical Teams Birds Mammals Amphibians and Reptiles Fishes and Freshwater Invertebrates Terrestrial Invertebrates Plants and Natural Communities Ecological Systems CWCS Technical Teams (cont.) Historic Vegetation & Habitat Restoration Database Support/Enhancements GIS Support and Land Use/Land Cover Conservation Tools & Regulations Environmental Education Outreach/Media Relations Assessment of Species of Greatest Conservation Need Biological data from WRD databases provided to technical teams in Excel spreadsheet format Species subsets based on taxonomic group, rarity, “special concern” status Technical teams added/deleted species as needed Data Provided to Technical Teams Birds – 49 species Mammals – 36 species Amphibians & Reptiles – 63 species Fishes – 130 species Aquatic Invertebrates – 205 species Terrestrial Invertebrates – 67 species Plants – 997 species Special Concern Animal Species in Georgia Special Concern Plant Species in Georgia Factors Considered in Species Assessments Rarity (global and state) Endemism Distribution in Georgia (regions, habitats) Degree of imperilment, major threats Population/habitat trends Current level of protection Survey, research, and protection needs Potential contribution of Georgia efforts to global conservation Methodology for Technical Teams Categorical ranking factors allow sorting of species by rarity, threat, population trends, research needs, etc. “Uncertainty ranks” help document data gaps and field inventory needs Recommendations for changes in state rarity rank, legal status, or status as “species of concern” will be based on data provided in spreadsheets & other supporting documents Georgia GAP/Aquatic GAP Data Land cover data – 44 classes Potential range maps for 300+ terrestrial vertebrates Terrestrial vertebrate habitat models “Critical reaches” for aquatic diversity in the Tallapoosa and Flint River basins Natural Communities/Ecosystems Identification of high-priority natural communities based on rarity, condition, species composition, etc. Revision of natural community classification for Georgia Identification of high-priority ecological systems based on species/natural community assemblages Prioritizing Species, Habitats, and Conservation Sites Species Habitats/Ecosystems Conservation Sites Progress to Date Lists of high priority species have been developed and are being reviewed (300 animal species) Research and survey needs for high priority species have been identified by technical team leaders Key habitats are being identified and cross-walked to ecological systems in the National Vegetation Classification System Progress to Date GIS Support team has completed an initial survey of WRD staff to determine GIS data needs Georgia GAP land cover data is being assessed as a tool for broad-scale planning Habitat Restoration/Historic Vegetation team has identified key management issues and is working with UGA Institute of Ecology to develop a pilot project for mapping historic vegetation Progress to Date Draft assessment of conservation planning and implementation efforts in other states has been completed and is being reviewed “Landowner’s Guide to Conservation Options” has been revised and will soon be published GIS dataset of high-priority conservation sites is being developed, using data from DNR-TNC ecoregional planning projects as starting point Progress to Date GNHP staff members collaborating with a group of volunteers on a revision of “Natural Environments of Georgia” WRD Education Plan is being finalized. EEA has offered to help with implementation of CWCS environmental education goals. Database Support team is assessing needs for biodiversity data within WRD and in other agencies/organizations. Next Steps January-February 2004 - Workshops to gain input from WRD staff on conservation targets, threats, and goals April-May 2004 - Regional workshops with local “stakeholder” groups June 2004 - Complete first draft of wildlife conservation strategy Next Steps August-September 2004 – Hold public meetings to solicit input on draft conservation strategy December 2004 – Complete final draft of comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy