Indicators/Surrogate Species

A. NR Indicators/ Surrogate Species Work Group: From the 5-year Work Plan

Objective 2.7 as identified in the Appalachian LCC 5 year work plan states:

Tasks identified under Objective 2.7 are as follows;

2.7.1 Ensure adequate representation of the Appalachian LCC expertise in relevant US Fish and Wildlife Service Regional [surrogate species] workshops and events.

2.7.2 Assemble or develop and adopt agreed upon vegetation of habitat classification systems and geospatially recognize areas of rare or unique ecosystems.

2.7.3 Assemble or develop and adopt agreed upon species classification and distribution data and geospatially recognize areas of rare and endemic species and unique habitats.

2.7.4 Identify appropriate natural resource indicators and candidate taxa or surrogate species, and develop explicit population objectives or natural resource appropriate targets.

2.7.5 Identify factors believed to be the most limiting to specific (surrogate species or targets) and identify monitoring efforts to track changes in these factors and response.

2.7.6 Develop species-habitat models to fully operationalize the integration of natural resource indicators and use of surrogate species measures across the Appalachian LCC landscape-level planning, monitoring, and assessment

2.7.7 Further refine selection of indicators, species, and targets as needed.

Anticipated Outcomes

A draft list of species (or criteria used to identify/categorize a potential species) to consider as indicator and surrogate species (to assess Landscape-level Management)
Criteria to cluster or pool species (habitat, systems, other)
Identify species may need special management attention due to rarity or endemism, unique threats, limited range, limited population levels, legal action or some other special circumstance.
Recommend a PROCESS the Steering Committee may wish to consider and support to identify and finalize a set of indicator and surrogate species to begin setting population targets and to develop species habitat models for pursuing landscape level planning.

B. Workshop Presentations

Presentation by Rick Bennett FWS NE Region 5 & NALCC; Representative Species [pdf]

Presentation by Rua Mordecai, FWS SE Region 4 & SALCC; Resource Indicators - "Setting A Course for a Sustainable Landscape" [pdf]

Comparative Analysis by Bridgett Costanzo, AppLCC