Biodiversity Metrics EPA 600 F-11.006 May 2011 www.epa.gov i) musgsi k science for a changing world CASE Center for Applied Spatial Ecology Project Study Areas Focus on Clients Include Decision Makers Indicators to Inform Tradeoffs Scaled to Inform Decisions Relevant to People GK? IAod&lS ¦ WW &CXiS,YS1B\ 5ER1KES Ecosystem services, i.e., "services provided to humans from natural systems," have become a key focus of this century in resource management, conservation planning, human well-being, and environmental decision analysis. Mapping and quantifying ecosystem sendees have become strategic national interests for integrating ecology with economics in order to help explain the effects of human policies and the subsequent impacts on both ecosystem function and human welfare. Some characteristics of biodiversity are valued by humans in many ways, and thus are important to include in any assessment that seeks to identify and quantify the value of ecosystems to humans. Some biodiversity metrics clearly reflect ecosystem services (e.g., abundance and diversity of game species), whereas others reflect indirect and difficult to quantify relationships to services (e.g., relevance of species diversity to ecosystem resilience, cultural value of native species). Wildlife habitat has been modeled at broad spatial scales and can be used to map a number of biodiversity metrics. In this approach, we map metrics reflecting ecosystem services or biodiversity features using U.S. Geological Survey Gap Analysis Program data, including land cover, land stewardship, and deductive habitat models for terrestrial vertebrate species. Example metrics include species-of-greatest-conservation-need, threatened and endangered species, harvestable species (i.e., upland game, waterfowl, fur bearers, and big game), total species, and specific taxa. The project is being conducted at multiple scales in a phased approach, startmg with community-based studies (San Pedro, Albemarle- Pamlico, and Tampa Bay), then multi-state regional areas (Southwest and Southeast), finally culminating in a national-level Atlas of Sustainable Ecosystem Services under development by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its partners. Climate Vulnerable Species Common Species in Decline Culturally Important Species Grassland Obligate Species Harvestable Species Land Cover Richness Listing Candidate or Sensitive Species Migratory Bird Species Riparian Obligate Species Species of Economic and Recreational Importance Species of Greatest Conservation Need Threatened & Endangered Species Total Species & Taxa Richness http://fws-case-12.nmsu.edu/CASE/ES/ ------- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Mapped Index Value is spec es richness of pixel/pixel with highest species richness in southwest region Reptiles .and Cover Richness (10km Neighborhood) A Amphibians Bats -SGCN Harvestable-Furbearer Mammals larvestable-Waterfowl SGCN -All Harvestable - Big Game SGCN -Reptiles 'Harvestable- Upland SGCN -Amphibians Average index Value Harvestable - All SGCN -Birds SGCN -Mammals"x ~Southwest ARio Grande Biodiversity Metrics for Southwest Region portrayed as a Radar Graph Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Landscape Ecology Branch, RO. Box 93478, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-3478 USA (or 944 E. Harmon Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 USA) • William G. Kepner, Research Ecologist, Tel: 702-798-2193; FAX: 702-798-2208; kepner.william@epa.gov • David F. Bradford, Research Ecologist, Tel: 702-798-2681; FAX: 702-798-2208; bradford.david@epa.gov Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 • Anne C. Neale, Physical Scientist, Tel: 919-541-3832; FAX: 919-541-4329: neale.anne@epa.gov New Mexico State University Center for Applied Spatial Ecology, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, Box 30003, MSC 4901, Las Graces, NM 88003 • Kenneth G. Boykin, Research Associate Professor, Tel: 575-646-6303; FAX: 575-646-1281; kboykin@misu.edu U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Program, National GAP Operations Office, 530 S Asbury St. , Suite 1, Moscow, ID 83843 • Kevin Gergely, Tel: 208-885-3565; FAX: 208-885-3618; gergely @uidaho. edu ------- |