Sustaining Biological Diversity and Ecological Functions in the Face of Large-

scale Change: Future Challenges in Natural Resource Management.

Pat Leahy – Acting Director, U.S. Geological Survey

Matt Hogan – Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

ChallengesU.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Future

Two Bureaus, One Mission

What is the Future Challengesproject?

A USGS and FWS, future-oriented partnership in science-based conservation.

Partnership emerged from October 2003 meeting of USGS ExecutiveLeadership Team andFWS Directorate.

L to R, former USGS Director Chip Groat and former USFWS Director Steve Williams

Future Challenges project goal:To position USGS and FWS to

predict and respond to

significant challenges to

biodiversity and ecosystem

function over the next

15-20 years.

Ground-breakingscientific research has historically provided the basis for significant progress in addressing environmental challenges.

Rachel Carson J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling

It is our turn, and our responsibility, to build the scientific foundation that will support conservation leaders who come after us.

Today, significant future impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem function are predicted from:Invasive Species

Biotechnology

Climate Change

Water for Ecological Needs

Invasive Species:

Growing threat of invasive species to ecosystem function and native species conservation.

Globalization: Trade-Travel-Transport

Consequences of invasive species are environmental and economic.

Biotechnology:

A potential conservation tool, but genetic engineering can pose potential threats to ecological functioning that need to be assessed.

Can modern biotechnology support natural resource conservation?To better understand and manage populations?

To modify or manipulate organisms?

To determine effects of modified organisms on existing populations?

www.glofish.com

The New York Times Nov 22, 2003“Gene-Altering Revolution Nears the Pet Store: Glow-in-the-Dark Fish”

Nature Nov 27 2003GloFish casts light on murky policing of transgenic animals

Marketed without regulatory environmental review. FDA is lead authority.

First Transgenic Animal on U.S. Market

Climate Change:

2-4 degree C. increase in earth’s temperaturepredicted by end of 21st Century.

Global climate change of increasing interest in fish and wildlife conservation.

Water For Ecological Needs:

Scientists predict significant implications for aquatic resource conservation from changes in use and allocation of water.

Demand for ecosystem services is a major driver of changes in water allocations

Farming

Urban

Thermal

ThermalFarming

UrbanEcosystem

Future Challenge: Elevating ecosystem requirements in water-use planning

Old paradigm

Minimum flow Static channelSurface waterSingle species

New paradigm

Whole hydrographDynamic channelAnd ground waterBiological community

Invasive species

Biotechnology

Climate Change

Water for Ecological Needs

Given these identified future challenges to ecosystem function and sustainability, USGS and FWS must lay both a science and a management foundation for future generations of decision-makers and resource managers.

Overall Game Plan

Regional workshops and

reports – completed

National Listening Session

Final Report and Action Plan

Regional Workshops

Primarily to engage our employees

Held in Denver, Anchorage, Sacramento, and Atlanta

Results: Invasive Species

Be strategic: focus on species and habitats where USGS & FWS can make a difference. Increase use of FWS lands.

Emphasize research and management for detection, prevention and control efforts early in the invasion process.

Focus on understanding linkages between global change, biotechnology, and invasive species.

Results: BiotechnologyPlanning for the use of biotechnology in conservation should proceed due to great potential benefits, but with deliberation and great care.

Information exchange and broader partnerships with academia and industry are essential for success.

Risk assessment procedures and the need for policy changes must be addressed very soon.

Results: Climate Change

Develop and implement specific monitoring strategies tailored to effects on wildlife and habitats.

Focus planning and management efforts at the ecosystem level.

Rethink the design of reserves and protected areas.

Climate Change complicates planning for the other three challenges.

Results: Water for Ecological Needs

Place greater emphasis on whole systems approaches.

Improved systems understanding will allow resource managers to prioritize areas and develop strategies for vulnerable systems.

Need for predictive models of potential systems effects under different land/water management regimes.

Workshops’ Consensus: Importance of comprehensive monitoring programs

Need for systems-level understanding

Value of predictive modeling to guide proactive management actions

Need for effective risk assessment and management

National Listening Session

Planned for early 2006 in Washington, DC

Verify direction, elicit ideas, identify partners

Action Plan

Create a final plan to guide

broad partnership in science-based conservation over the next two decades.

Opportunity for Input

All are invited to meet later today to discuss why this Future Challenges effort is needed.

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Concourse Hotel, University AB