Science Articles

Structured decision making as a conservation tool for recovery planning of two endangered salamanders

Journal for Nature Conservation

Katherine M. OÕDonnell, Arianne F. Messerman, William J. Barichivich, Raymond D. Semlitsch, Thomas A. Gorman, Harold G. Mitchell, Nathan Allan, DantŽ Fenolio, Adam Green, Fred A. Johnson, Allison Keever, Mark Mandica, Julien Martin, Jana Mott, Terry Peacock, Joseph Reinman, Stephanie S. Roma–ach, Greg Titus, Conor P. McGowan, Susan C. Walls
PublisherElsevier
Source N/A
Volume / IssueVolume 37
Pages66 - 72
Total Pages7
Article Linkhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1617138117300997
PDF Linkhttp://ac.els-cdn.com/S1617138117300997/1-s2.0-S1617138117300997-main.pdf?_tid=4152d3b2-1f88-11e7-9671-00000aacb35d&acdnat=1492005753_966e812308266e1452b6ddb063b0baff
ISBN N/A
DOIdoi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2017.02.011
Editor(s) N/A
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TagsAdaptive management Ambystoma Amphibians Captive breeding Decision analysis Habitat restoration
Other N/A
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AbstractAt least one-third of all amphibian species face the threat of extinction, and current amphibian extinction rates are four orders of magnitude greater than background rates. Preventing extirpation often requires both ex situ (i.e., conservation breeding programs) and in situ strategies (i.e., protecting natural habitats). Flatwoods salamanders (Ambystoma bishopi and A. cingulatum) are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The two species have decreased from 476 historical locations to 63 recently extant locations (86.8% loss). We suggest that recovery efforts are needed to increase populations and prevent extinction, but uncertainty regarding optimal actions in both ex situ and in situ realms hinders recovery planning. We used structured decision making (SDM) to address key uncertainties regarding both captive breeding and habitat restoration, and we developed short-, medium-, and long-term goals to achieve recovery objectives. By promoting a transparent, logical approach, SDM has proven vital to recovery plan development for flatwoods salamanders. The SDM approach has clear advantages over other previous approaches to recovery efforts, and we suggest that it should be considered for other complex decisions regarding endangered species.
Created: 12/14/2017 10:31 AM (ET)
Modified: 12/14/2017 10:31 AM (ET)
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