PARENT SESSION
Oral Session #39: Conservation: Landscapes and Reserve Design.
Presiding: D. Peters
Tuesday, August 6. 1:00 PM to 4:45 PM. Graham Meeting Room, TCC.
Application and assessment of Species At Risk conservation approaches.
Boykin, Kenneth*,1,2, Bak, Jason1,2, Kroll, A.1,2, Rivieccio, Marina1,2, Deitner, Robert1,2, Thompson, Bruce1,3, Anderson, Mark2, 1 New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Las Cruces, New Mexico2 New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico3 USGS-BR, Las Cruces, New Mexico
ABSTRACT- We examined how Species At Risk (SAR) concepts could be extended to evaluate the potential of sensitive species to impact military missions and the ability for that species to be managed in such a manner as to preclude future federal listing. Objectives were to 1) compile a list of species for SAR consideration relative to the installations; 2) condense this list to at-risk species; 3) identify species from this list for assessment using literature review, expert consultation, and habitat considerations; 4) prepare habitat models for assessment species and conduct field surveys for modification and validation of modeling, and 5) evaluate existing risk assessment models for application to SAR evaluation. Using a structured and documented review protocol that we prepared, a preliminary list of 385 taxa considered sensitive by public and private conservation agencies and organizations was condensed to 19 demonstrably at-risk species. We discuss the process and outcome using examples of the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), Colorado chipmunk ((Tamias quadrivittatus), ferruginous hawk ((Buteo regalis), a land snail complex, and the night-blooming cereus ((Peniocereus greggii) in modeling habitat and potential risk. Further, we demonstrate an integrated risk assessment that produces landscape perspective useful to military installations with conservation responsibility. This proactive management approach can be a major benefit to the Army's future ability to test and train on its installations.
KEY WORDS: Species at Risk, Habitat Modeling, Risk Assessment