So, you picked 5 species on which to focus your work in the Adirondacks.
You probably had some reasons for the choices you made: species you
like, large species, small species. But were your decisions based
on science? Were they supported by data? Biologists and landscape
ecologists at the Wildlife Conservation Society have worked out a
system (part of the Landscape Species
approach) to help them make
these choices using the available information, or data. Researchers
are testing this system out to see how well it will help conserve
the Adirondacks (and other conservation areas of the world). In this
section, you will learn about and use this system, or model, for selecting
species. You can then look back on your first list and compare it
to your more scientifically based list.
Are you ready to be a conservation planner? Which landscape species
will your class choose?
The Landscape Species Model:
As you can see from this model, you'll first need to select landscape
species from a pool of candidates. But what makes a good landscape
species? Which species will offer umbrella protection for other species
that share the landscape? The five criteria listed above (area, habitat
use, vulnerability, functionality, and socio-economic importance)
will help you to make decisions.
Your Job:
•
First, you and/or your group will focus on two of the 10 species
on the original list. Your group will rate each of the two
species on all 5 criteria.
•
Next, you will meet with your whole class to determine, based
on the species rankings, which 5 species you would select as
Landscape Species for the Adirondacks.
•
Then, your group will work with maps to see how the scientists
actually selected Adirondack Landscape Species.
•
Finally, your group will use the scoring and mapping information
to develop a plan to conserve one of the landscape species.
