Interacting Effects of Landownership, Land Use, and Endangered Species on Conservation of Southwestern U.S. Rangelands

Abstract

The contemporary southwestern United States is characterized by fire-adapted ecosystems; large numbers of federally listed threatened and endangered species; a patchwork of federal, state, and private landownership; and a long history of livestock grazing as the predominant land use. I compared eight sites in southern Arizona and New Mexico to assess the interacting effects of these characteristics on conservation practices and outcomes. There was widespread interest and private-sector leadership in restoring fire to southwestern rangelands, and there is a shortage of predictive scientific knowledge about the effects of fire and livestock grazing on threatened and endangered species. It was easier to restore fire to lands that were either privately owned or not grazed, in part because of obstacles created by threatened and endangered species on grazed public lands. Collaborative management facilitated conservation practices and outcomes, and periodic removal of livestock may be necessary for conservation, but permanent livestock exclusion may be counterproductive because of interactions with land-use and landownership patterns. Resumen: El suroeste contemporáneo de Estados Unidos se caracteriza por ecosistemas adaptados al fuego;numerosas especies enlistadas federalmente como amenazadas y en peligro; un mosaico de propiedad federal, estatal y privada de la tierra; y una larga historia de pastoreo por ganado como forma predominante de uso de suelo. Comparé ocho sitios en el sur de Arizona y Nuevo México para evaluar la interacción de los efectos de estas características sobre las prácticas y resultados de conservación. Hubo interés generalizado y liderazgo del sector privado en el restablecimiento de fuego en llanuras del suroeste, y hay una carencia de conocimiento científico predictivo en relación con los efectos del fuego y el pastoreo de ganado sobre especies amenazadas y en peligro. Fue más fácil restablecer fuego en terrenos de propiedad privada o no pastoreados, debido en parte a obstáculos creados por la presencia de especies amenazadas y en peligro en terrenos públicos, pastoreados. La gestión cooperativa facilitó las prácticas y resultados de conservación, y la remoción periódica de ganado puede ser necesaria para la conservación, pero la exclusión permanente de ganado puede ser contraproducente debido a las interacciones con los patrones de propiedad y uso de suelos.Palabras Clave: Acta de Especies en Peligro,áreas ribereñas, especies amenazadas, fuego, gestión cooperativa, pastoreo de ganado

Trade of Seahorses, <I>Hippocampus</I> Spp. (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae), on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand

“…Here, the water is shallower than in the south region of the Gulf. Only small volumes of live seahorses were traded due to the decline in seahorse populations in the wild and the difficulty of catching live seahorses owing to their cryptic behaviour (Foster and Vincent 2005). Of all 13 seahorse species traded in aquarium markets globally, only about 1 to 3 species are traded alive by each exporter country (Wabnitz et al 2003, Koldewey andMartin-Smith 2010 Thailand were sold for ornamental markets in Thailand.…”

The tip of the tail: molecular identification of seahorses for sale in apothecary shops and curio stores in California

“…As one of the largest seahorses (Foster and Vincent 2005), H. ingens is also one of the species most poorly served by a 10 cm minimum size limit. In order to establish realistic criteria for sustainable harvest of this important species, more research must be done on its life history.…”

“…First, species identification is particularly difficult among seahorses (Lourie et al 2004), so a single size limit simplifies enforcement. Second, the 10 cm limit affords protection to most targeted species, because most seahorses mature at a smaller size (Foster and Vincent 2005). As a result, the single size limit is one management option favored by affected parties (Martin-Smith et al 2004).…”

“…As a result, the single size limit is one management option favored by affected parties (Martin-Smith et al 2004). However, the largest seahorse species mature above 10 cm, and are thus not well protected by the regulation (Foster and Vincent 2005).…”

Characterizing a small-scale, data-poor, artisanal fishery: Seahorses in the central Philippines

“…Rigorous stock assessments have not been undertaken for any seahorse fishery, such that the CITES Parties are currently advised to consider interim measures, such as a single minimum size limit for all the diverse species (Foster and Vincent, 2005). Given the dispersed nature and relatively low priority of the fisheries to management authorities, it is unlikely that traditional stock assessments and fisheries modeling will be undertaken.…”