An ecological basis for ecosystem management

M. R. Kaufmann; R. T. Graham; D. A. Boyce; W. H. Moir; L. Perry; R. T. Reynolds; R. L. Bassett; P. Mehlhop; C. B. Edminster; W. M. Block; P. S. Corn

doi:10.2737/RM-GTR-246

Treesearch

An ecological basis for ecosystem management

Informally Refereed

Authors:

M. R. Kaufmann, R. T. Graham, D. A. Boyce, W. H. Moir, L. Perry, R. T. Reynolds, R. L. Bassett, P. Mehlhop, C. B. Edminster, W. M. Block, P. S. Corn

Year:

1994

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RM-GTR-246

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. RM 246. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 22 p.

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Download (PDF 859 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/7612.pdf

Abstract

Guiding principles based on conservation biology are applied in assessing ecosystem needs. Ecosystem, economic, and social needs are integrated in a decision model in which the guiding principles are used as a primary filter for evaluating proposed actions. Management practices consistent with the guiding principles are likely to lead to ecological, economic, and social well being, while those practices that are not consistent with the guiding principles risk species loss, degraded environments, and long term social problems.

Keywords

Ecosystem management concepts, guiding principles, conservation biology, ecosystem needs, human dimension, hierarchy, reference conditions, coarse filter and fine filter analyses, decision model

Citation

Kaufmann, M. R.; Graham, R. T.; Boyce, D. A., Jr.; Moir, W. H.; Perry, L.; Reynolds, R. T.; Bassett, R. L.; Mehlhop, P.; Edminster, C. B.; Block, W. M.; Corn, P. S. 1994. An ecological basis for ecosystem management. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-GTR-246. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 22 p.