Conservation of Biological Diversity

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1 Conservation of Biological Diversity Images courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

2 Nature s Limits Ultimate constraints are natural or Ecosystem based Forest productivity Forest health Ecosystem is a artificial boundary put on some component of nature Limited understanding of nature and ecosystems

3 Understanding Nature The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: "What good is it?" If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. Aldo Leopold

4 Biological Diversity (BD) The variety of life in all its forms Species diversity Number of species Genetic diversity Numbers, breeding groups Landscape/ecosystem diversity Variety across the landscape

5 Responses to BD Education Conservation Legal protection Image courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service

6 Education Understand value of BD Information Identification of habitats and species Conservation and protection Understand SFI approach to BD

7 Value of BD Economic value Important to productivity of forests Sources of raw material - food, fiber, biochemicals Intrinsic value Value of being Don t have specific economic value Historic sites, Scenic views

8 Access to Information Threatened and Endangered Species Federal Information State Information Rare, Threatened, and Endangered habitats Natureserve.org Image courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service

9 Federal Information Fish and Wildlife Service

10 Alabama Endangered Species List of endangered and threatened species Considerations for forest mgmt County list of species AL Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

11 Natureserve Natureserve.org Ranks T&E species and habitats at the local and global scale Identifies and locates T&E species and habitats for agencies and companies

12 Ranking Global rank G1 G2 State rank S1 S2 Definition Extreme rarity, in danger of extinction or extirpation Rare, vulnerable to extinction or extirpation

13 Ranking Global rank State rank Definition G3 S3 Uncommon or rare, somewhat vulnerable to extinction or extirpation G4 S4 Uncommon but not rare G5 S5 Secure, common and widespread

14 Alabama Species Examples G1 Mississippi Gopher Frog State rank SH, Possibly extirpated S1 Alabama Beach Mouse Global rank - G5T1 Species G5 Common, Subspecies critically imperiled

15 Alabama Species Examples Red-cockaded woodpecker G3 and S2 Gopher tortoise G3 and S2

16 Alabama Habitats G2G3 - Alabama Red Hills Mesic Hardwood Bluff Forest Southern Basswood - Southern Sugar Maple - White Ash / Giant Cane / Spanish-moss Forest Mesic, north-facing bluffs in the Alabama Red Hills on the first terrace of the Chattahoochee River in Russell County, Alabama

17 Alabama Habitats G1G2 - Cumberland Plateau Mesic Hemlock - Hardwood Forest Eastern Hemlock - (Tuliptree, American Beech) / (Bigleaf Magnolia, American Holly) / Christmas Fern Forest Acidic forests dominated by Tsuga canadensis and mesic hardwood species, occurring in the Cumberland Plateau of Alabama.

18 SFI Approach Requirements for SFI program Policies Objectives Criteria Indicators Image courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service

19 Sustainable Forestry To practice sustainable forestry by practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates reforestation and the managing, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air and water quality, biological diversity, wildlife and aquatic habitat, recreation, and aesthetics.

20 Biodiversity References Objective 1: Review plans for biological diversity conservation Objective 3: Protect water bodies and riparian areas; protect non-forested wetlands Objective 6: Identify and protect special sites Objective 8: Extend practices to landowners through fiber sourcing programs

21 Biodiversity References Objective 11: Promote conservation of biodiversity in fiber sourcing programs (international sources), how are direct suppliers applying principles. Objective 14: Regulatory compliance, CWA, ESA, etc. Objective 15: Support research that addresses management effects on biodiversity Objective 16: Training to insure that wood producers understand biodiversity

22 Definitions Special sites: Sites that include ecologically or geologically unique or culturally important features Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value: critically imperiled (G1) and imperiled (G2) species and ecological communities. Biodiversity hotspots: A biogeographic conservation region with more than 1,500 endemic plant species and less than 30percent of its historical extent. ( SFI guidance on the SFI website at

23 Special sites Identify and map areas Manage to maintain characteristics Stakeholder consultation

24 Exceptional conservation value Collect information through inventory process Work with Natureserve or Alabama natural heritage program Locate and protect Apply best practices in management

25 SFI Objective 4 Manage habitat quality and conserve biodiversity at stand and landscape level Programs, plans, and policies for BD Assessment and monitoring Contribution to regional BD efforts

26 Conservation of BD Harvesting practices Forest management Harvest planning

27 Harvesting Practices Vegetation disturbance Avoid traffic in areas with no timber volume, sensitive plants or soil Soil disturbance: Disrupts root systems and seeds of native species, increase opportunities for weed species Transport of invasive plants Many plant seeds and roots cling to equipment for transport to other sites Avoid sensitive areas Thin soils over rock, unusual, isolated wet areas Drainage Avoid severe changes to drainage conditions: Ditches or damming

28 Conservation of BD in Stands Protection of rare or uncommon communities Protection of aquatic and riparian areas Retention or promotion of mast production

29 Conservation of BD in Stands Structure Multiple Layers Understory - grass, forbs, shrubs Midstory shrubs and small trees Overstory dominant trees Snags Downed woody material

30 Stand Management Options Retain some trees in the final harvest Retain understory vegetation Use thinning to increase within stand diversity Manage smaller areas within a stand differently

31 Snag Management Leave some snags and trees that will become sangs Avoid removal of large dead logs Cull logs at the landing adds to downed wood material Create snags by damaging/killing standing cull trees

32 Mast Production Avoid harvest of mast producers Release mast producers from competition Manage for oak/hickory species

33 Aquatic Habitats Comply with BMPs Stream crossing and SMZ Defines stands to reflect wetland and riparian zones Conserve isolated wetlands

34 Conservation of BD in Landscapes Diversity of Habitats Across the landscape Across time Connections among stands Corridors (riparian areas) Adjacency (old next to young)

35 Aspects of Landscape Diversity Apply irregularly shaped harvest units Retain forest cover in large clearcuts Apply some uneven-aged management Create distribution of age class and cover type across landscape Retain some stands with longer than average rotations SMZs

36 Challenges to Landscape Diversity Most ownership are not large enough to reflect range in diversity Coordination of management across ownerships is challenging Variation in owner interests supply natural variation in management objective and treatments Incentive programs may provide sustain management practices across the landscape Fire

37 Legal Endangered Species Act National Environmental Policy Act Federal agencies US Forest Service State agency mandates

38 Endangered Species Act Goal Recover species so they no longer need protection Species listing Based on scientific review Possibility of extinction Threatened may become endangered

39 Listing Process Accept petitions for listing Gather information about potential candidates Assess the status of candidate species Priority system developed on the threat of extinction Species distinctiveness, Large and immediate threat If warranted Publish proposed rule and receive comments Rule could be withdrawn after hearing

40 Endangered Species Act Taking is prohibited Harming, Harrassing, of Killing of Endangered Species (ES) Includes significant change of habitat incidental taking Habitat Conservation Plans FWS works with landowners to manage land and protect ES