Selection of Reserves for Woodland Caribou Using an Optimization Approach

Abstract

Habitat protection has been identified as an important strategy for the conservation of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus). However, because of the economic opportunity costs associated with protection it is unlikely that all caribou ranges can be protected in their entirety. We used an optimization approach to identify reserve designs for caribou in Alberta, Canada, across a range of potential protection targets. Our designs minimized costs as well as three demographic risk factors: current industrial footprint, presence of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and climate change. We found that, using optimization, 60% of current caribou range can be protected (including 17% in existing parks) while maintaining access to over 98% of the value of resources on public lands. The trade-off between minimizing cost and minimizing demographic risk factors was minimal because the spatial distributions of cost and risk were similar. The prospects for protection are much reduced if protection is directed towards the herds that are most at risk of near-term extirpation.

Lines on a map: conservation units, meta‐population dynamics, and recovery of woodland caribou in Canada

“…This has led some authors to suggest triage (Schneider et al. , ). Yet, no consideration of genetic structure, connectivity, or meta‐population structure was considered as a criterion in the preliminary economic‐only model of triage (Schneider et al.…”

“…The meta-population framework provides a solution to identifying conservation units within DUs that are evolutionarily and ecologically relevant, but also opens the discussion of triage and which units are not technically or biologically viable (a constraint acknowledged by SARA), or, ultimately, socioeconomically feasible to recover (Schneider et al 2012). The underlying assumption (or perhaps application of precautionary principle) of recovery planning to date is that it is technically and biologically feasible to recover every single caribou subpopulation, but the recent extirpations, including in National Parks, force us to rethink any assessments of feasibility.…”

“…Moreover, even basic economic analyses in Alberta, where 11 of 14 caribou herds are declining by 5-6% per yr, show that recovering caribou ranges will cost billions of dollars. This has led some authors to suggest triage (Schneider et al 2010(Schneider et al , 2012). Yet, no consideration of genetic structure, connectivity, or meta-population structure was considered as a criterion in the preliminary economic-only model of triage (Schneider et al 2012).…”

“…This has led some authors to suggest triage (Schneider et al 2010(Schneider et al , 2012). Yet, no consideration of genetic structure, connectivity, or meta-population structure was considered as a criterion in the preliminary economic-only model of triage (Schneider et al 2012). The full set of criteria used for any triage approach has not been clarified, and it seems that consensus would be hard to achieve on whether biological, social, or economic criteria would prevail, nor how to weigh different criteria.…”

The cost of endangered species protection: Evidence from auctions for natural resources

“…This suggests that the regulator believes the value of resource development may be too high to impose the remaining regulatory option of a moratorium. An alternative approach, suggested by the literature on 'efficient conservation,' prescribes choosing certain caribou herds over others on the basis of the quality of the resource they reside on (see Ando et al (1998) for an overview, and Schneider et al (2010) and Schneider et al (2012) for the case of oil sands and caribou in particular). However, such a flexible regulatory approach is not permissible under current at-risk species legislation in Alberta, or anywhere else in North America.…”