PARENT SESSION
Oral Session #49: Restoration of Public Lands.
Presiding: D. Gordon
Wednesday, August 7. 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Mohave Meeting Room, TCC.
Comprehensive conservation planning and ecosystem restoration on National Wildlife Refuges.
Schroeder, Rick*,1, 1 U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO
ABSTRACT- The 1997 Refuge Improvement Act requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) for all units of the Refuge System. The Law further requires the maintenance of the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the System, which the FWS has interpreted to mean a move toward historical conditions, i.e., ecosystem restoration. The objective of this study was to analyze completed CCPs (n = 28) to determine the intent to meet these mandates, and the provision of adequate details to measure and monitor progress. Over 80% of the CCPs contain statements indicating an intent to conduct some level of ecosystem restoration on the refuge. The major types of ecosystem restoration that are planned are: restore historic vegetation on at least part of the refuge (79% of plans); reduce levels of exotic plants or animals (79%); restore historic processes (fire, 71%; hydrology, 39%). Very few of the CCPs (14%) contain specific and complete data on the amount and type of historic vegetation that existed on the refuge, to provide direction for restoration efforts. In addition, few of the plans (21%) have specific and measurable objectives describing restoration efforts, that could be reasonably monitored to track progress toward achievement.
KEY WORDS: National Wildlife Refuge, Comprehensive Conservation Plan, restoration