dale blahna, robert deal, jeff kline, trista patterson, tom spies pnw research station john allen,...
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Dale Blahna, Robert Deal, Jeff Kline, Trista Patterson, Tom Spies PNW Research Station
John Allen, Cindy Glick, Tom MaferaDeschutes National Forest
Nikola Smith, Karen BennettUSFS Region 6
Ecosystem Services as an All Lands Approach for Forest ManagementA collaboration between the Deschutes National Forest and the USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr852.pdf
Building a New Language for Management:An Ecosystem Services Framework
Articulate the values that the forest provides to the public.
Evaluate effects between management actions and the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services.
Build ecosystem services-based partnerships to design and fund needed work on the ground.
Create analytical tools that allow managers to assess project outcomes and tradeoffs in ecosystem services terms, i.e., across resource areas and over longer time scales.
Project Goals
Place-Based Approach 1.6 million acres along
the east side of the Cascade Range in Central Oregon
Diverse landscape, multiple climatic gradients
350 species of fish and wildlife, including the Northern Spotted Owl
History of fire suppression
One of the most heavily-used forests for recreation in the Pacific Northwest
Who benefits from Forest Service management actions?
Who shares common interests in ecosystem service provision?
The benefits of an ecosystem services approach to management
An integrated approach - allows managers to assess the costs and benefits of projects across resource areas and beyond forest boundaries.
Creates awareness about the services provided by public lands and brings attention to under-valued projects.
Leverages partnerships and funds to implement work needed on the ground.
Ecosystem Services in the USFS Planning Rule
“…..to guide the development, amendment, and revision of land management plans to maintain and restore National Forest System land and water ecosystems while providing for ecosystem services and multiple uses….”
Federal Register - April 9, 2012
From Theory to Practice – The Marsh Project
30,000 acre watershed just South of Crescent Lake in Central Oregon
Focal point: Big Marsh (2,000 acres) one of the highest elevation wetland / marsh complexes in the continental United States
Previously drained for cattle grazing. USFS and partners restored much of the hydrology and habitat.
Management Context
State’s largest Oregon Spotted Frog habitatHabitat for two rare graminoids (Scirpus subterminalis , Carex lasiocarpa)Matsutake mushroom , big game and fish habitatGreat grey and northern spotted owlTwo Late Successional ReservesOregon Cascades Recreation AreaImportant for late season water storage and flows to Little Deschutes RiverLimited motorized access, valued for dispersed recreation
Fire Regime Condition Class 3
• Dense lodgepole pine stands• Mixed conifer has contiguous ladder fuels• Reminiscent of conditions pre-Davis Fire (2003)
Resource/Activity Project Target/Metric FY08 Accomplishment Ecosystem Services Outcomes
Fuel Treatment Fuel Reduction Acres 25,000 Forest resilience to disturbance, resulting in sustained vegetation cover that provides climate, water and erosion regulation
Wildlife habitat Community safety Economic wellbeing (property protection)
Comparison of Targets with Ecosystem Services Accomplishments
"The Forest Service must not be viewed as an agency concerned only with the fate of our National Forests, but must instead be acknowledged for its work in protecting and maintaining all American forests, including state and private lands.”
- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
The USDA “All Lands Approach”
photo credits: Duncan Berry
“Integrated Resource Restoration” Emphases- Stressors and resiliency of ecosystems- Engagement of diverse groups and individuals- Utilizing traditional and emerging markets to improve ecosystem functions
Willamette National ForestSweet Home Ranger District
Participatory Planning Approach
• Collaboratively evaluate the inherent capacity of the landscape to provide ecosystem services
• Cascade Timber Consulting, South Santiam Watershed Council, City of Sweet Home, Linn County Parks, forest products industry, environmental organizations, universities, state and federal agencies
• Understand changes to that capacity based on historic land uses and existing conditions
• Cooperatively develop a restoration plan that is ecologically sustainable and economically viable
Articulating the Value of an Ecosystem Services Approach
for Forest Management
Working with partners to increase capacity to define water quality and habitat benefits that result from upland forest management
Stimulates market development and public / private partnerships
Encourages collaborative approaches to landscape scale restoration
Implementing an All-Lands Ecosystem Services
Framework An Ecosystem Services Framework can support a
more integrated, landscape scale approach that sustains the multiple benefits forests provide.
Increasing capacity to articulate connections between forests, ecosystem services and public benefits can stimulate market activity for restoration and encourage partnerships across ownerships.