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Conservation Introductions: Enhancing Decision Support for the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Islands Active

By Fort Collins Science Center November 10, 2018

This research effort is an interagency partnership between U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to systematically explore the issues, viewpoints, and concerns within the Service in relation to conservation introductions. Conservation introduction is the planned, intentional moving of species, populations or genotypes to a location outside a target’s native range. 

Conservation introduction is a response to preserve at-risk species populations that are impacted due to the changing climate, invasive species, land use changes, or other reasons. Conservation introduction is not without risk, both to the translocated species and the intended ecosystem destinations. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate current expert opinion using robust social science methods and develop a framework for decision support.  

The objectives of this study are to apply qualitative data collection methods to describe the range of perceptions and views of conservation introductions of at-risk species among appropriate Service employees and describe employee perceptions of previously published best practices for conducting managed relocations and identify strengths, weaknesses, and necessary additions to meet the needs of Service priorities. Additional follow-up phases of the study will focus on developing a framework for best practices when executing the conservation introductions of at-risk species and decision support tool.  

To meet the phase 1 objectives of this project, we will conduct remote, semi-structured interviews with Service professionals who are experts on at-risk species in the Pacific Northwest and the South Pacific islands.  

  • Overview

    This research effort is an interagency partnership between U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to systematically explore the issues, viewpoints, and concerns within the Service in relation to conservation introductions. Conservation introduction is the planned, intentional moving of species, populations or genotypes to a location outside a target’s native range. 

    Conservation introduction is a response to preserve at-risk species populations that are impacted due to the changing climate, invasive species, land use changes, or other reasons. Conservation introduction is not without risk, both to the translocated species and the intended ecosystem destinations. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate current expert opinion using robust social science methods and develop a framework for decision support.  

    The objectives of this study are to apply qualitative data collection methods to describe the range of perceptions and views of conservation introductions of at-risk species among appropriate Service employees and describe employee perceptions of previously published best practices for conducting managed relocations and identify strengths, weaknesses, and necessary additions to meet the needs of Service priorities. Additional follow-up phases of the study will focus on developing a framework for best practices when executing the conservation introductions of at-risk species and decision support tool.  

    To meet the phase 1 objectives of this project, we will conduct remote, semi-structured interviews with Service professionals who are experts on at-risk species in the Pacific Northwest and the South Pacific islands.