Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont, South Atlantic Coast CESU

archived

Project research to design and produce a web-based decision-support tool that captures the core elements of decisions to propose decision sets that best meet the ESA mandate of recovery. In so doing, the decision model can potentially reduce the risk of missed opportunities and reduce the burden of pending legal issues. In addition, with the proposed updates, decisions can also be evaluated in relation to the core FWS value of biodiversity. The project promotes interagency collaboration and management. PR-DENR were involved in the prototype development and partnership data are included within the decision data set. Travel to the Georgia is to be included to explore the toolâ¿¿s application in other field offices and the potential to integrate habitat tools, as piloted by that office, with the recovery tool. This project broadly supports FWS Endangered Species recovery programs, addressing decisions that span multiple ecosystems and multiple threats at landscape scales. Without a strategic approach to prioritize among many potential recovery actions, species management risks being reactive rather than proactive.

High