status of the world’s protected areas < 10% of terrestrial ecosystems < 10% of the world’s...

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

http://www.millenniumassessment.org//en/index.aspx

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. 1997. 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 (70-100 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: 74-92 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 25-30 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 - 2003