Development and evaluation of NatureServe’s multi-metric ecological integrity assessment method for wetland ecosystems

Faber-Langendoen, Don; Lemly, Joanna; Nichols, William F.; Rocchio, Joe; Walz, Kathleen; Smyth, Regan L.

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.04.025

Cited by 17 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The establishment of nature reserves is the foundation of global conservation strategies for effectively protecting biodiversity and maintaining the integrity and authenticity of ecosystems [5,37]. The concepts of ecosystem integrity and authenticity have been widely applied to nature reserves in recent years [38][39][40] and emphasize that the ecosystems of protected areas should possess excellent capacity for maintenance of biodiversity and quality [41]. Moreover, while ecosystem integrity and authenticity are the goals within the establishment of nature reserves, they are also importantly technical criteria for the spatial identification of protected areas.…”

Section: Ecosystem Integrity and Authenticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Priority Conservation Areas for Protected Rivers Based on Ecosystem Integrity and Authenticity: A Case Study of the Qingzhu River, Southwest China

Zhang

Lu³

et al. 2020

Sustainability

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The establishment of protected areas for a river (PARs) is an efficient approach for the conservation of its ecosystem and biodiversity. This study selected the free-flowing Qingzhu River, located in the mountains of southwest China and one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots, as a case study. This study applied the ecosystem approach to develop a model for identifying priority conservation areas for a river (PCARs) based on integrity and authenticity. Three model elements were selected, namely streams, forest and human activity, characterized by three indicators: irreplaceability, tree cover and human activity, respectively. The spatial distributions of these indicators were overlaid according to different weights to generate a map (SCPV) of comprehensive protected value (CPV), which was used to indicate ecosystem integrity and authenticity in the study catchment. Lastly, PCARs were identified by comparing existing protected areas with the calculated SCPV. The application of the model to the Qingzhu River indicated the area of PCARs to be ~71.88 km2, accounting for 15.13% of the total PAR area. Priority reaches for protection were then identified, with many falling within the mainstem of the river in the middle and lower reaches. The total length of priority protected reaches was ~75.97 km, accounting for 49.33% of the total length of the river mainstem within Qingchuan County. This study validated the model at both the theoretical and practical level, confirming that the model is useful for facilitating the precise protection and smart management of rivers.

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Section: Ecosystem Integrity and Authenticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Priority Conservation Areas for Protected Rivers Based on Ecosystem Integrity and Authenticity: A Case Study of the Qingzhu River, Southwest China

Zhang

Lu³

et al. 2020

Sustainability

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“…DT1 is crucial to the Earth’s biodiversity maintenance, ecological integrity, and sustainable human development ( Clark et al., 2011 ; Fan et al., 2017 ; Faber-Langendoen et al., 2019 ). Since the beginning of the 2010s, China has proposed the blueprint of “the construction of ecological civilization” and considered it as one of the national development principles ( Xiao and Zhao, 2017 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Island carrying capacity for three development types: ecological resource, agricultural production, and urban construction

Chi¹,

Liu²,

Zhang³

2022

Heliyon

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“…If well-chosen, indicators can also provide early signs of ecosystem degradation and identify areas at risk of ecosystem collapse [14,15]. These methods are broadly referred to as ecological integrity assessment (EIA) methods [16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Ecological Integrity Assessment Metrics to Restore Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity for Shortleaf Pine–Oak Ecosystems

Nordman

Faber-Langendoen

Baggs

2021

Forests

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Open woodlands dominated by shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and oak are historically an important component of the landscape across the southeastern United States. These ecosystems support numerous wildlife species, many of which have declined in recent years as the amount and condition of their habitat have declined. Land managers and private landowners need guidance on how to efficiently and accurately quantify the condition and wildlife habitat value of the pine stands that they manage. Here we provide a set of rapid assessment metrics, based on NatureServe’s ecological integrity assessment (EIA) method, to (a) identify exemplary tracts that provide the best habitat for key wildlife species, and (b) monitor restoration efforts to assess progress toward the improved quality of existing tracts. To ensure an ecologically appropriate scaling of metrics, we distinguished six types of shortleaf pine–oak woodland: A.—Interior Highlands shortleaf pine–oak (including A.1—shortleaf pine–oak forest and woodlands; A.2—shortleaf pine–bluestem woodlands); B—montane longleaf pine–shortleaf pine woodlands; C—southern Appalachian pine–oak woodlands; D—West Gulf coastal plain shortleaf pine–oak woodlands; and E—southeast coastal plain and Piedmont shortleaf pine–oak woodlands. We relied on a narrative conceptual model and peer review-based indicator selection to identify a core set of 15 stand-level metrics (two were optional). Individual assessment points (thresholds) and ratings (Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor) were developed that were sensitive to the distinct attributes of each of the five shortleaf pine–oak and Appalachian pine–oak types. Values for the metrics can all be collected using rapid field methods, such as using basal area prisms and ocular (visual) estimates of cover. Protocols for the consistent application of these EIA methods are provided. A case study is presented from the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. These methods provide improved and rapid EIA metrics for all shortleaf pine–oak ecosystems in the southeastern US to help guide conservation-minded landowners in assessing the biodiversity and priority wildlife values of shortleaf pine–oak and southern Appalachian pine–oak ecosystems.

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Development and evaluation of NatureServe’s multi-metric ecological integrity assessment method for wetland ecosystems

Cited by 17 publications

References 23 publications

Identification of Priority Conservation Areas for Protected Rivers Based on Ecosystem Integrity and Authenticity: A Case Study of the Qingzhu River, Southwest China

Identification of Priority Conservation Areas for Protected Rivers Based on Ecosystem Integrity and Authenticity: A Case Study of the Qingzhu River, Southwest China

Island carrying capacity for three development types: ecological resource, agricultural production, and urban construction

Rapid Ecological Integrity Assessment Metrics to Restore Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity for Shortleaf Pine–Oak Ecosystems

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