An interactive database for setting conservation priorities for western neotropical migrants

Abstract

We develop and explain a species ranking system for the states and physiographic regions of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Program's West Working Group. The ranking criteria attempt to measure characteristics of species which make them vulnerable to extirpation, as well as assess the relative importance of different geographic and/or political areas to the species in question. These criteria include: the importance of the area of consideration to the species as a whole (importance of area), global abundance, threats on the breeding grounds, threats on the wintering grounds, extent of breeding distribution, extent of wintering distribution, and the population trend in the area of consideration. We have also designed uncertainty values for some of the criteria: threats to breeding, threats to wintering, and population trend. Considered separately and in various combinations, the criteria and uncertainty values allow the quick, objective determination of a species' status and possible conservation needs. The ranking process is the first step in developing community-oriented conservation efforts. This is accomplished by grouping ranked species by habitat relationships and thus ranking habitats of concern.

Parent Publication

• Status and management of neotropical migratory birds

Citation

Carter, Michael F.; Barker, Keith. 1993. An interactive database for setting conservation priorities for western neotropical migrants. In: Finch, Deborah M.; Stangel, Peter W. (eds.). Status and management of neotropical migratory birds: September 21-25, 1992, Estes Park, Colorado. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-229. Fort Collins, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service: 120-144