A scale dynamics approach to integrate landscape conservation within and across jurisdictional boundaries

Abstract

Context. Public-private partnerships are needed to conserve landscapes, waterscapes, and seascapes. Landscape conservation design (LCD) translates shared objectives into spatial priorities to guide conservation efforts and foster collaboration among partners at the landscape level. Objective. We examined LCD projects in the eastern United States to identify implementation and coordination challenges and propose solutions that facilitate integration across projects in instances when coordination and continuity of conservation efforts is paramount. Methods. We apply a scale dynamics approach to LCD that identifies what conservation actions to take (goals scale), how to conduct those actions (implementation scale), and where to take those actions (spatial scale) to benefit species and ecosystems (ecological scale). Additional steps include identify who (jurisdiction scale) will take those actions and when (threats scale) those actions should be taken. Results. We found that although LCD projects span ecological, spatial, temporal, and jurisdictional scales, focusing only on spatial or ecological scales resulted in poor integration among adjacent projects when few species or ecosystems were the target of more than one LCD project. Conclusions. Variation in approach among LCD projects poses a challenge to project coordination and project integration with existing conservation planning efforts and products. This challenge exists within and across jurisdictional boundaries. The scale dynamics approach provides a trans-project basis for integration across multiple LCD projects.

Citation

Rittenhouse, Chadwick D.; Tirpak, John M.; Thompson, Frank R. 2023. A scale dynamics approach to integrate landscape conservation within and across jurisdictional boundaries. Landscape Ecology. 38(3): 725-736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-022-01456-2.