Abstract
Prioritizing Conservation Landscapes: The Columbia Plateau Ecoregional Assessment Track: Ecology and Conservation Author(s): Michael Schindel, Daniel Kelly, Mary Finnerty The Ecoregional Assessment planning process was developed by The Nature Conservancy to identify priority sites on the landscape in which to focus conservation efforts. We carried out an Ecoregional Assessment in the Columbia Plateau ecoregion of the Pacific Northwest of the United States. We used landscape-scale field and GIS data, together with expert workshops, to develop a set of priority targets and goals for maintaining long-term viability of the biological diversity in the region. These results were then fed into MARXAN, a site selection program, which evaluated current land patterns to produce a cost-effective site-based portfolio of conservation priorities. We also discuss our modifications/updates to the Ecoregional Assessment process. Michael Schindel The Nature Conservancy Conservation Programs 821 SE 14th Avenue Portland , OR 97214 US Phone: 503-802-8100 Fax: 503-802-8199 E-mail: mschindel@tnc.org Daniel Kelly The Nature Conservancy 821 SE 14th Ave Portland , OR 97214 US Phone: 503-802-8140 E-mail: dkelly@tnc.org Mary Finnerty The Nature Conservancy Conservation Programs 821 SE 14th Ave Porland , OR 97214 US Phone: 503-802-8135 E-mail: mfinnerty@tnc.org |
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