Open AccessPrioritizing threat management across terrestrial and freshwater realms for species conservation and recovery
Author(s) -
Camaclang Abbey E.,
Currie Jessica,
Giles Emily,
Forbes Graham J.,
Edge Christopher B.,
Monk Wendy A.,
Nocera Joseph J.,
StewartRobertson Graeme,
Browne Constance,
O'Malley Zoe G.,
Snider James,
Martin Tara G.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
conservation science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-4854
DOI - 10.1111/csp2.300
Subject(s) - realm , stakeholder , environmental resource management , biodiversity , business , environmental planning , geography , ecology , economics , management , archaeology , biology
The need to manage threats to biodiversity, and to do so cost‐effectively, is urgent. Cross‐realm conservation management is recognized as a cost‐effective approach, but it requires collaboration between agencies and jurisdictions, and local knowledge of anthropogenic threats to biodiversity. With its emphasis on stakeholder engagement and use of structured expert elicitation, Priority Threat Management (PTM) facilitates rapid, cross‐realm planning at the regional scale. We used PTM to identify cost‐effective management strategies with the aim of securing nine ecological groups, comprised of 45 species and one ecological community of conservation concern, across terrestrial and freshwater realms within the Wolastoq|Saint John River watershed in Canada. Under business‐as‐usual, four of nine groups are expected to have >50% probability of persistence over the next 25 years. Investment of $141 million over 25 years in three management strategies could secure seven groups across both realms with >50% probability of persistence. Achieving higher levels of persistence comes at a cost—securing six groups with >60% probability of persistence requires investing $218 million over 25 years in seven strategies. Through a structured, iterative process, whereby stakeholders cooperate to clarify objectives, devise management strategies, and collate data, PTM can support timely and cost‐effective management across multiple realms.