Applying the 2012 Planning Rule to conserve species: A practitioner's reference
| Authors: | Gregory D. Hayward, Curtis H. Flather, Mary M. Rowland, Regis Terney, Kim Mellen-McLean, Karl D. Malcolm, Clinton McCarthy, Douglas A. Boyce |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Type: | Miscellaneous |
| Station: | Rocky Mountain Research Station |
| Source: | Unpublished paper. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 78 p. |
Abstract
The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) directs managers of National Forest System (NFS) lands to "provide for diversity of plant and animal communities based on the suitability and capability of the specific land area in order to meet overall multiple-use objectives." The mandate is challenging and is embraced by the Forest Service. At the heart of the challenge is maintaining ecosystem integrity and ecosystem processes while providing ecosystem services and renewable resources to society. Success requires understanding the interconnectivity of three major portions of the 2012 Forest Service Planning Rule (assessment, planning, monitoring) in relation to maintaining ecological integrity. Added complexity occurs when considering the ecosystems themselves, their complex organization and interactions, and in particular the multiple scales at which they operate and are influenced by society. This document examines the interface between at-risk species conservation and the broader planning rule, and how to use scientific approaches to ensure the conservation of at-risk species.