Status of the World’s Protected Areas < 10% of terrestrial ecosystems < 10% of the world’s lakes 0.5% of marine areas Data: World Conservation Monitoring Centre
Atlantic Rainforest Restoration The Atlantic rainforest once covered 400,000 square miles Only 7% remains 450 tree species per hectare 2.7% of world’s plant species just in what is left Testing innovative funding mechanisms U.S. companies paying for carbon sequestration How do we restore it?
National Forest System Lands
Critical Roles for the Matrix 1.Supporting populations of species 2.Regulating the movement of organisms 3.Buffering sensitive areas and reserves 4.Maintaining the integrity of aquatic ecosystems
Matrix Management Principles 1.Maintenance of connectivity 2.Maintenance of landscape heterogeneity 3.Maintenance of stand complexity 4.Maintenance of intact aquatic ecosystems 5.Risk-spreading
Late-Successional Reserves Established by the Northwest Forest Plan From: Vogt, K.A., J.C. Gordon, J.P. Wargo, D.J. Vogt, H. Asbjornsen, P.A. Palmiotto, H. J. Clark, J.L. O’Hara, W.S. Keeton, T. Patel-Weynand, and E. Witten Ecosystems: Balancing Science with Management. Springer-Verlag, New York, N.Y. 470 pp.
“Demonstration of Ecosystem Management Options”
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker ( Picoides borealis ) Population declines due to loss of habitat Requires mature ( year old) long-leaf pine forests for nesting Requires open-canopied, single- layered structure maintained by low intensity fire Forestry practices now the leading problem: Short-rotation silviculture Fire suppression
Historical Range of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker Historic: millions acres of longleaf pine ecosystems on coastal plains of the southeast Current: 3 million acres remaining
Matrix Management Examples for Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Federal ESA Recovery Plan Pending International Paper Habitat Conservation Plan for Southlands Experimental Forest in Bainbridge, Georgia 1.Requires conservation of 1,500 acres of suitable nesting habitat 2.Increase this to 5,000 acres 3. Goal of nesting clusters
What forestry practices should private companies and government agencies follow? -> Conclusion: Maximizing NPV results in a net reduction of suitable habitat. Moderate NPV scenarios provide sufficient habitat
Former International Paper Lands: 172,000 acres
“Conserved” Lands in Northeastern Vermont
Apply the Triad Model: Where are the reserves? Which of these qualify?
What form will Matrix Management take on Essex Timber Co lands? FSC Certification – Smartwood