The target create form should display the following static hints in text bubbles to the right of the form (maybe make them move to be below the form as the page size is reduced... totally optional)
Start with Ecosystem Targets.
Use a “coarse-filter/ fine-filter” approach to identifying conservation targets. First, focus on the selection of ecological systems or communities. These act as the "coarse-filter" that capture most species of special interest. If you conserve the ecosystems at your area, you will conserve these species at your area. (Species of special interest will be listed later as “Nested Targets.”).
Then, teams may need to add species with unique ecological requirements or threats that are not already reflected by the ecological systems in which they are embedded. These are considered “fine-filter” targets with special conservation needs that go beyond conserving the ecosystem.
Lumping vs. Splitting Targets.
When in doubt, lump co-occurring targets. It’s easy enough to split out the targets later if needed. Examples: rare fish assemblage; longleaf pine woodland and associated communities. See “Helper” for assistance.
Migratory Species as Targets.
If migratory birds, fish or other animal species are selected as targets, the life-stage of the species at the project area should be explicitly identified as the target. A project team cannot be responsible for conserving a species across its range, but rather only for that part of the species life cycle when it resides in the project area. Turbo-CAP also suggests that project teams make the habitat the target rather than the species itself – e.g. Mule deer wintering habitat instead over Over-wintering mule deer.
Keystone Species.
“Keystone” species are species that drive major ecological processes; if it were removed the ecosystem would change dramatically. Keystone species may be “apex predators” (e.g., wolves in Yellowstone, major herbivores (e.g., elephants in African savanna), or filters (e.g., oysters in Chesapeake Bay).
Umbrella Species and Focal Species.
An “umbrella” species is a species that has habitat needs which reflect the needs of many other species in the area, and as such is selected to represent many species, or even an ecosystem. For example, the greater sage grouse is often considered an umbrella species for its associated sagebrush ecosystems – i.e., if the sage grouse population is healthy in an area, its ecosystems are most likely to be healthy (but perhaps not some other sagebrush obligate species that have special requirements). Similarly, “focal” species involves choosing a suite of species within a landscape whose functional requirements collectively encompass those of most other species in the landscape. turboCAP recommends caution - there is some scientific debate on using umbrella species and focal species for conservation planning.
The target create form should display the following static hints in text bubbles to the right of the form (maybe make them move to be below the form as the page size is reduced... totally optional)
Use a “coarse-filter/ fine-filter” approach to identifying conservation targets. First, focus on the selection of ecological systems or communities. These act as the "coarse-filter" that capture most species of special interest. If you conserve the ecosystems at your area, you will conserve these species at your area. (Species of special interest will be listed later as “Nested Targets.”).
Then, teams may need to add species with unique ecological requirements or threats that are not already reflected by the ecological systems in which they are embedded. These are considered “fine-filter” targets with special conservation needs that go beyond conserving the ecosystem.
When in doubt, lump co-occurring targets. It’s easy enough to split out the targets later if needed. Examples: rare fish assemblage; longleaf pine woodland and associated communities. See “Helper” for assistance.
If migratory birds, fish or other animal species are selected as targets, the life-stage of the species at the project area should be explicitly identified as the target. A project team cannot be responsible for conserving a species across its range, but rather only for that part of the species life cycle when it resides in the project area. Turbo-CAP also suggests that project teams make the habitat the target rather than the species itself – e.g. Mule deer wintering habitat instead over Over-wintering mule deer.
“Keystone” species are species that drive major ecological processes; if it were removed the ecosystem would change dramatically. Keystone species may be “apex predators” (e.g., wolves in Yellowstone, major herbivores (e.g., elephants in African savanna), or filters (e.g., oysters in Chesapeake Bay).
An “umbrella” species is a species that has habitat needs which reflect the needs of many other species in the area, and as such is selected to represent many species, or even an ecosystem. For example, the greater sage grouse is often considered an umbrella species for its associated sagebrush ecosystems – i.e., if the sage grouse population is healthy in an area, its ecosystems are most likely to be healthy (but perhaps not some other sagebrush obligate species that have special requirements). Similarly, “focal” species involves choosing a suite of species within a landscape whose functional requirements collectively encompass those of most other species in the landscape. turboCAP recommends caution - there is some scientific debate on using umbrella species and focal species for conservation planning.