Broad-scale assessments of ecological landscapes: developing methods and applications

Abstract

P ublic lands are subject to increasingly complex and widespread environmental stressors that transcend traditional management boundaries. To address these challenges, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is developing a Landscape Approach for managing multiple uses of public lands and sustained yield of their renewable natural resources. The BLM Landscape Approach incorporates multiscale information to quantify the effects of natural and human influences on natural resource conditions and trends. A primary goal of the approach is to identify opportunities for resource conservation, restoration, and development. By quantifying and synthesizing information across regions, the Landscape Approach is useful for identifying important ecological resources and quantifying the effects of environmental change that may not be evident at finer scales. Ecological resources can include important wildlife habitats and ecological communities, as well as pristine or unique areas that have high conservation potential.

Multiscale guidance and tools for implementing a landscape approach to resource management in the Bureau of Land Management

“…However, collecting data, developing partnerships, and sharing information all become more difficult at larger spatial extents such as district offices, states, ecoregions, or across international borders (for example, O'Donnell and others, 2014). Accordingly, the initial emphasis of the BLM in implementing a landscape approach has been on addressing data gaps at broad spatial scales in its biophysical programs through (1) conducting Rapid Ecoregional Assessments to synthesize the best available geospatial data on resource status and condition at the spatial extent of ecoregions (Bureau of Land Management, 2016); (2) implementing management priorities across broad scales through the Healthy Lands Initiative (Bureau of Land Management, 2011); (3) piloting and developing a coordinated, nationwide Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) program (Toevs and others, 2011);and (4) emphasizing the use of science to inform planning and management decisions (Bureau of Land Management, 2014c, 2015b.…”