Madrean Watersheds Conservation Design Workshop Report · 2 Preferred Citation: Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative. 2017. Madrean Watersheds Conservation Design Workshop Report.

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MadreanWatershedsConservationDesignWorkshopReportSeptember21-22,2016

Tucson,Arizona

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PreferredCitation:DesertLandscapeConservationCooperative.2017.MadreanWatershedsConservationDesignWorkshopReport.36pagesFullCitation:Misztal,L.,C.Whitaker,J.Sittig,S.Wilbor,andT.Robertson(DesertLandscapeConservationCooperative).2017.MadreanWatershedsConservationDesignWorkshopReport.DesertLandscapeConservationCooperative.36pages.

LandscapeConservationPlanningandDesignTeam

GenevieveJohnson,DesertLCCCoordinatorBureauofReclamationgjohnson@usbr.govMattGrabau,DesertLCCScienceCoordinatorU.S.FishandWildlifeServicematthew_grabau@fws.govAaronWilkerson,BLMLeadBureauofLandManagement,[email protected],ProjectManagerSkyIslandAlliancelouise@skyislandalliance.orgScottWilbor,ConservationBiologistSkyIslandAllianceScott@skyislandalliance.orgTahneeRobertson,ProcessDesignandFacilitationSouthwestDecisionResourcestahnee@swdresources.comColleenWhittaker,ProcessDesignandFacilitationSouthwestDecisionResourcescolleen@swdresources.com

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TableofContents

WorkshopOverview...............................................................................................................4

WorkshopActivitiesandMethodology...................................................................................5

SummaryofOutcomesandKeyFindings................................................................................7ASharedConservationVisionfortheMadreanWatershedsLandscape............................................7ImportantResourcesintheMadreanWatersheds............................................................................9StressorsrelatedtoGrasslands,Springs,andStreams....................................................................12InformationNeedsandCriticalUncertaintiesRelatedtoManagement...........................................14

AdaptationActionPlans........................................................................................................17Grasslands:InvasiveSpeciesManagement.....................................................................................17Streams:EnhancingTributaryRechargeandSlowingWaterinUplands..........................................18Springs:SpringsInventoriesinMexico............................................................................................19UniqueSkyIslandResources:ConservingEndemismandRefugiaandaCorridorStudy..................21BuildingandStrengtheningCollaboration:PartnerwithTribes.......................................................24BuildingandStrengtheningCollaboration:ConductOutreachfortheMadreanLandscapeConservationDesign.......................................................................................................................24

ConclusionsandRecommendations......................................................................................25

Appendices...........................................................................................................................27AppendixA:WorkshopAgenda..........................................................................................................28AppendixB:WorkshopParticipantList..............................................................................................31AppendixC:InitialRecommendationsonIntegrationofBLMREAs..................................................34

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WorkshopOverviewWorkshopContext

InOctober2016,theMadreanWatershedspilotareawasselectedbytheDesertLandscapeConservationCooperative(DesertLCC)asapilotareainwhichtodevelopaLandscapeConservationDesign.Followingselectionofthispilotarea,acoordinatingteamcomprisedoflocalpartnersinvolvedinnominatingthepilotarea,orinterestedinactivelyengagingindevelopingaLandscapeConservationDesignstartedmeetingregularly.InMayof2016thepilotareacoordinatingteamandtheLandscapeConservationDesigncontractingteamhostedabi-lingual(EnglishandSpanish)MadreanWatershedskick-offwebinartobriefpotentialpartnersontheprocessofdevelopingtheconservationdesign,andinvitethemtoparticipateinupcomingactivitiestodevelopkeycomponentsoftheLandscapeConservationDesign.TheMadreanWatershedsConservationDesignWorkshopwasoneofthesekeyactivities.TheMadreanWatershedsPilotAreaincludeswatershedsspanningArizona,NewMexico,Sonora,andChihuahua.TheareaincludestheMadreanArchipelago,characterizedbyisolatedforestedmountainrangessurroundedbya“sea”ofinterveningflatlands,andexpandseasttoincludeadjacentgrasslands.Asatestamenttoitsrichdiversityofspeciesandhabitats,theareahasbeenrecognizedbyConservationInternationalasoneofonly35GlobalBiodiversityHotspots.Withmorethan4,000vascularplantspecies,theMadreanArchipelagoharborsthehighestdiversityofmammals,birds,bees,andantsanywhereintheconterminousU.S.Itprovideshabitatforlowerelevationspeciestomigrateinresponsetoincreasingtemperaturesandishometospeciesandhabitatsfoundnowhereelseintheworld.Ranchingiskeytothearea’seconomy,culturalidentity,andsocialstructure.However,basedonclimatechangeprojections,thisareawilllikelyexperiencesomeofthegreatestchangesintemperatureandwateravailabilityinNorthAmerica.WorkshopStructure

InSeptember2016,theDesertLCCconvenedaworkshopinTucson,ArizonatoadvancedevelopmentofaLandscapeConservationDesignintheMadreanWatershedsPilotArea.Participantsincluded93individualsfrom48differentorganizationsfromtheU.S.andMexico.Participantshadextensiveknowledgeoftheecology,threats,andmanagementofsprings,streams,grasslands,speciesandecosystems,andcomprisedmanyofthepractitioners,managers,andresearchersthatwillultimatelyusetheLandscapeConservationDesign.TheworkshopwasconvenedandstaffedbytheDesertLCCCoordinatorandScienceCoordinator,theLandscapeConservationDesigncontractingteam,SouthwestClimateScienceCenterStaffandmembersoftheMadreanWatershedspilotareacoordinatingteam.Thisworkshopwasthefirstin-personconveningforLandscapeConservationDesignspecifictothispilotarea.Thisworkshoputilizedoutputsdevelopedoverthepasttwoyearsincluding:keyfindingsandproductsfromthe2015DesertLCChostedConservationDesignWorkshopsheldinTucsonandAguascalientes(fullreportavailableontheDesertLCCwebsite);informationfromtheMadreanandSanPedroWatershedPilotAreaProposalsthatweresubmittedtotheDesertLCCin2015;information

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gatheredataDesertLCCsteeringcommittee,workinggroupandpartnermeetingheldinFebruary2016;andinformationgatheredfromparticipantspre-workshop.Theworkshopwasprovidedastructured,collaborativeforumforarticulatingtheplanningcontextanddevelopingfoundationalcomponentsofaLandscapeConservationDesignincluding,apilotareavision,aswellasgoals/fundamentalobjectivesthatleadtowardthatvision.ParticipantsalsoidentifiedimportantnaturalresourcesintheMadreanlandscapethatshouldbefocalpointsforconservationactions(examplesincludedelementsofbiodiversity,ecosystemprocesses,localculturalvalues,andhumanwell-being).Giventhevision,goals,objectives,andimportantresources,participantsdevelopedsomeshort-term,“noregrets”adaptationstrategiestoimplementintheimmediatefuture.Thisworkshopreportincludesasummaryoftheactivitiesandmethodsweundertookattheworkshop,anexplanationofhowvariousworkshopoutcomesadvancedevelopmentofaLandscapeConservationDesign,asummaryofkeyinformation/scienceneedsgoingforward,summariesofvariousissues,desiredoutcomesandtopicsofinterestthatareuniquetotheMadreanWatershedspilotandanexplanationofhowresultsfromthepreviousworkshopandotherworkthathasoccurredinthepilotarea,suchastheMadreanRapidEcoregionalAssessment,arebeingincorporatedintotheplanninganddesignforthispilot.WorkshopOutcomes

● FormedsharedvaluesofDesertLCCpartnersfortheMadreanWatershedslandscape,andmanagementchallengesandopportunitiesinthisregion.

● DevelopedacommonunderstandingofLandscapeConservationDesignfortheMadreanWatersheds,includingthefollowingcomponents:thepurposeandprocessforthePilotArea;thestatusofdatadevelopmentintheregion;theStakeholderAssessment;andtheconservationgoalsforgrasslands,streams,andriparianareas.

● Establishedsharedgoalsforlarge-landscaperesourcesintheMadrean,suchasconnectivity,biodiversity,andsocio-ecologicalservices.

● FurtherprioritizedimportantresourcesintheMadreanlandscapeforsubsequentin-depthanalysis,scenariodevelopment,spatialdesign,and,ultimately,conservationactions.

● Refinedexistingregionalstrategies(short-termandlong-term),andidentificationofnewlocallyrelevantstrategiestoachievesharedgoals.

WorkshopActivitiesandMethodologyThefollowingsectiondescribestheactivitiesundertakenattheworkshopandassociatedmethods.SeealsoAppendixAfortheworkshopagenda.DesertLCCandPartnerPresentationsThepurposeofthisactivitywastoorientworkshopparticipantstotheLandscapeConservationDesignapproachoftheDesertLCCaswellasfundamentalconceptsoflargelandscapeconservation.ItwasalsotofosterasharedunderstandingoftheMadreanPilotAreaincludingsomeofthehighestimpact

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stressorsaffectingresourcesinthearea.Participantswereorientedthroughthefollowingseriesofpresentations:

● DesertLCCandLandscapeConservationDesignApproach-GenevieveJohnson,DesertLCC● TheImportanceandPotentialofLargeLandscapeConservation-LarryFisher,Universityof

ArizonaSchoolofNaturalResources&theEnvironment● OverviewofMadreanWatershedsPilotArea:history,challengesandopportunities-JuanCarlos

Bravo,WildlandsNetwork● RoleofthisWorkshopinDevelopingaMadreanConservationDesign-LouiseMisztal,Sky

IslandsAllianceandTahneeRobertson,SouthwestDecisionResources● IdentifyingHighImpactStressorsandThreatsintheMadreanpilotareaintheDesertLCC-Carol

Beardmore,SonoranJointVentureandEstherRubin,ArizonaGameandFishDepartmentDevelopingaSharedConservationVision:Small-GroupDiscussionsAftergaininganunderstandingofthepurposeoftheworkshopandconservationdesign,attendeesparticipatedinsmall-groupdiscussionstodeveloplargelandscapegoalssupportedbymoredetailedfundamentalobjectivesfortheMadreanpilotarea.Duringthe2015DesertLCCconservationdesignworkshopsand2016partnermeetings,partnersidentifiedtheneedtodevelopgoalsforBiodiversity,Connectivity,andSocio-EcologicalServices.Atthisworkshop,participantsbrokeoutintoseveralsmallergroupstodevelopgoalstatementsforthesetopicsandtoformulatefundamentalobjectivesthatdescribeinmoredetailthefocalcomponentsofBiodiversity,ConnectivityandSocio-EcologicalServicesthatthegroupcaresaboutandthedirectioninwhichtheywantthemtogo(GrovesandGame2015).IdentifyingMadreanPriorityResources:Small-GroupDiscussions-ParticipantsweregivenalistofprioritynaturalandculturalresourceswithintheMadreanPilotAreathatwasdevelopedfrominputreceivedatthe2015DLCC-wideconservationdesignworkshops,thepilotnominationreportforthispilotarea,andtheinformationgatheredfromparticipantspre-workshop.TheyutilizedthelisttoidentifywhichresourceswithintheMadreanPilotAreaaremostimportanttofocuscollaborativeplanningandmanagementeffortsoninordertoreachthegoalsandfundamentalobjectivestheyidentifiedinthemorning.ParticipantsworkedinbreakoutgroupsorganizedbyBiodiversity,Connectivity,andSocio-EcologicaltorecommendpriorityresourcesanddevelopedalistofsubcomponentsspecifictothePilotAreaforthealreadyidentifiedDesertLCCfocalresourcesofgrasslands,streams,andsprings.Inaddition,anewfocalresourceareawascreated:Elevational/SkyIsland-relatedResources.IdentifyingStressorsthatCanBeAddressedThroughManagement:Small-GroupDiscussions-Participantsutilizedalistofhighestimpactstressorsforsprings,streams,andgrasslandsintheMadreanWatersheds.ThelistwasdevelopedfromworkconductedbytheDesertLCCLandscape-ScaleMonitoringTeam(formerlycalledCMQ2).Thepurposeofthisteamistoidentifyspeciesandecologicalprocessessensitivetolargescalestressors(e.g.,drought,invasivespecies,alteredfireregime,winderosion)thatcanbeeffectivelymonitoredtounderstandtheoveralleffectsofthesestressorsonecosystems,habitats,andspecies,thushelpingmanagersdetect,understand,andrespondtothesechanges.ThisTeamhasdoneextensiveworktoidentifypressuresandstressors(utilizingSalafskyetal,2008)thatareimpactingecosystemsandspecieswithintheDesertLCCandthatmaybeexacerbatedbyclimatechange.Inpreparationforthispilotareaworkshop,theLandscape-ScaleMonitoringTeam

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surveyedpractitionersintheMadreanWatershedstoidentifythehighestimpactstressorsactingongrasslands,streamsandspringslocally.Workshopparticipantsbrokeoutintosmallgroupsbyresource,reviewedthelistofhighestimpactstressorsandassessedwhichonestheyfeltcouldbeaddressedthroughmanagementactionwithinthecontrolofthepartnersintheroom.DesertLCCtools,programs,andresearch:PresentationandQ&A-AcompilationoftoolsrelevanttotheMadreanWatershedswerepresented.Presentationsincluded:

• DesertLCCwebsiteandConservationPlanningAtlas-AmandaWebb,DesertLCC;MaureenCorrell,BirdConservancyoftheRockies

• PartnerAssessmentResults-ColleenWhitaker,SouthwestDecisionResources• MadreanRapidEcoregionalAssessmentAvailableDataSetsandVISTATool-PatrickCrist,

NatureServeExploringCurrentAdaptationStrategiesinthePilotArea:PanelDiscussion-ResourceexpertsfromvariouspartneragenciesandorganizationsdiscussedtheircurrentworkandassociatedchallengesandsuccessesandhighlightedhowtheyarealreadyimplementingadaptationstrategieswithintheMadreanWatersheds.Panelistsincluded:AmyMarkstein,BureauofLandManagement;DonSwan,SaguaroNationalPark;BrianPowell,PimaCounty;CarianneCampbell,SkyIslandAlliance;andAntonioEsquier,ProteccióndelaFaunaMexicana.DevelopingShort-termAdaptationStrategies:Small-GroupDiscussions-Buildingupontheinformationanddiscussionsofthepanel,priorityresourcesandstressorsattendeesbeganplanningforimmediateactionstosupportadaptationtotheanticipatedstressorsintheMadreanWatersheds.Theparticipantsfirstlistedimportantshort-termandlong-termstrategiesrelatedtoGrasslands,Springs,Streams,andElevational/Island-relatedresources.Ofthoselists,participantsidentifiedtheshort-termstrategiestobeginimplementingthisyear.ScenarioPlanningIntroduction:PresentationbyCarolynEnquist,SouthwestClimateScienceCenter-Thepurposeandkeyelementsofscenarioplanningwerepresentedtotheparticipants,alongwiththekeyuncertaintiesthatcouldbeaddressedintheMadreanWatersheds.NextStepsandClosing-Theworkshopconcludedwithapanelofworkshopparticipantswhohadvolunteeredtodiscussinsightsandoutcomesoftheworkshop.Allparticipantswereaskedtocompleteworkshopevaluations.

SummaryofOutcomesandKeyFindings

ASharedConservationVisionfortheMadreanWatershedsLandscapeAsharedconservationvisionisanessentialbuildingblockfordevelopingalandscapeconservationdesign.ThefollowingMadreanmissionandgoalstatementsreflectkeythemesandsharedvaluesthatemergedfromthecollectiveinputofpartners.Theseelementsprovideavisionanddirectionfromwhichtodevelopsupportinganalysisandactionplans.

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Inadditiontobiodiversity,connectivity,andsocio-ecologicalservices,participantsidentifiedthefollowingadditionaltopicareaswhichtheyfeltshouldbeaddressedbydevelopinggoalsandinsomecases,fundamentalobjectives:Water,EcosystemIntegrity,andStakeholder/CommunityEngagement.Participantsalsofeltthatarticulatinghowtheywouldliketoworkwitheachothershouldbecapturedinprocessgoalsrelatedtocollaborationandinformationsharing.MissionTheMadreanWatershedsinitiativeisalargelandscape,internationalefforttomaintainandenhancetheinterconnectedsystemofmountains,grasslands,desertsandwatersthatsupportsspeciesdiversity,promoteshealthywatersheds,andmaintainstheoverallecosystemintegritythatenrichesthelivesofhumancommunities.AConservationVision–GoalsandFundamentalObjectivesBiodiversity-Madreanwatershedsareahavenfortheuniquediversityofnativeandendemicspecies.

• Maintainwaterandripariansystems• Maintainandenhancenativespeciesandhabitat• Maintainpopulationsofpriorityspecies

LandscapeConnectivity-EnhancedlinkagesconnectthediverselifezonesofSkyIslandecosystems,fromvalleybottomstomountaintops,fromsouthernSonoratotheGilaRiverinArizona,enablingpersistenceofmigratorywildlifeandallowingforthepossiblefutureshiftofspeciesandecosystemsinachangingclimate.

• Maintain/increaselinkagesforwildlife• Maintainconnectednetworkofwatersourcesforwildlife• Restoreandincreasehabitatconnectivity

Socio-EcologicalServices-Healthywatersheds,functioningecosystemsandculturalresourcesdeliverhighlyvaluedbenefitstohumancommunities.

• Optimizewatershedbenefitsforhumans,ecosystems,andwildlife• Maintainsoilfunctionandreduceerosion• Increasehumanconnectiontoplace• Supportworkinglandscapesforecological,agriculturalandcommunitybenefits• Prioritizeecosystemintegrity

ProcessGoalsThefollowdraftprocessgoalsweredevelopedbyparticipantstoarticulatehowtheywouldliketoworkwitheachtodevelopandimplementaLandscapeConservationDesign.DevelopmentofthesegoalsisverymuchinlinewiththeapproachoftheDesertLCCandtheNationalLCCNetworkwhichhasalreadydevelopedgoalsrelatedtocollaborationandthesharingofscienceandinformation.TheseMadreandraftgoalswillberefinedandupdatedtobebroughtinlinewiththeLCCNetworkgoals.

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Collaboration-U.S.andMexicaninstitutionsandstakeholdersareactivelyengagedandeffectivelycollaboratingacrossboundariesonrestoration,conservation,stewardship,educationandpublicoutreach.Partners’workisalignedtoachievemaximumbenefits,andthereissupportandcapacitytocontinueworkintothefuture.

Scienceandinformationsharing-Regionalmonitoringandscientificresearchistailoredtoensurerelevancytomanagersanddecisionmakers,andiscoordinatedtopromoteeffectivepartnershipsandenhancedcapacity.

ImportantResourcesintheMadreanWatershedsInordertodevelopaLandscapeConservationDesignthatismeaningfulandrelevanttoaspecificgeography,itisnecessarytoidentifytheresourcesthatcontributetomeetingbiodiversity,connectivity,socio-ecologicalgoals.Grasslands,streams,andspringswereidentifiedasfocalresourcesforLandscapeConservationDesigndevelopmentbytheDesertLCCattheoutsetoftheplanningprocess.Additionally,eachpilotareageographyhasuniqueresources,orparticularaspectsofgrassland,streamsandspringsthatareofhighimportancetopartnersandcontributetothespecialcharacterofthearea.Duringthisworkshop,participantsidentifiedadiversityofcomponentsandaspectsoftheseresourcesthatarerelevantandimportantwithintheMadreanWatersheds.TheselistsweredevelopedinpartbyextensivediscussionsatpreviousworkshopsandmeetingsonvaluesofimportancewithintheMadreanWatersheds.ParticipantsalsorefinedaworkinglistofadditionalresourcespartnershadpreviouslyidentifiedasimportantintheMadreanWatersheds.Participantsidentifiedthefollowaspectsofgrasslands,streamsandspringsaswellastheadditionalresourcesasbeingimportanttobiodiversity,connectivityandsocio-ecologicalservicesintheMadreanWatersheds.Grasslands,StreamsandSpringsGrasslands

• Ripariangrasslands:Sacaton/floodplaingrasslands• Mixgramagrasslands(Boutelouasp.,Elymussp.,Eragrostissp.,Hilariasp.,andMuhlenbergia

sp.)• Regionallyendemicgrasslandbirds,bothbreedingandespeciallyover-wintering• Pronghorn• Bison• Ecosystemservices

o Soilstabilityandgenesiso Carbonsequestrationo Infiltrationofwater(slowingrun-offandrechargeservices)o Oxygenproductiono Managedworkinglandscapes(notablyforranching)

SpringEcosystems(riparianandaquatic)• Presenceofspeciesendemictosprings• Waterqualityatspringemergence(definedbysupportingendemicspecies)• Waterquantity

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• TraditionalculturalknowledgeandvalueofspringstoNativepeoples

Streams(RiparianandAquatic)• RiparianWoodlands(galleryforestsandmesquitebosques)

o Neotropicalbirdspeciesnestingandoverallaviandiversityo WildlifeCorridors/LandscapeLinkages

• Xeric-riparian(especiallytobreedingbirdsandascorridorsforregionalwildlife)• Riparian-relatedavianmigrationstop-overandbreedingcorridors• Transboundaryaquifers• Beavers(keystonespecies)• SouthwesternWillowFlycatcher/Yellow-billedCuckoo• GreyHawk• Fishhabitatandotheraquaticspecieshabitatandconnectivitysupport(supportingT&Esp.,

andotherveryrarenativespecies)• Herpafaunahabitatandconnectivity(supportingT&Esp.)• Invertebratehabitatandconnectivity• Mammalhabitatandconnectivity• Ecosystemservices

o Groundwaterrechargeo Erosioncontrolo Mediationoffloodflowso Thermalrefugia(providingmicro-climates)o Carbonsequestration(notablyold-growthmesquitebosques)o Biodiversityhabitatsupporto Recreationalservices

OtherResourcesMadreanpine-oakwoodland(abiodiversityhotspot)

• Highavianspeciesdiversity,includingthreatened/restrictedspecies(e.g.,MexicanSpottedOwl,smallowls,andArizonaWoodpecker)

• Stopoverlocationforbirdsinmigration(majorhabitatuseatcertaintimes/conditionsduringspring),alsonotablefor“moltmigration”stop-overhabitatinfallmigration

• Mammal,heptafaunahighdiversity

Highelevationmontaneecosystems• Highelevationspecialist/restrictedspecies(e.g.Mt.GrahamRedSquirrel,blackbear,andavian

species)Criticalwildlifemovementcorridors

• Suiteofspeciestorepresentconnectivity(specieswithlargerangesanddispersalneeds)• Elevationalgradientstosupportspeciesmovement(seasonallyandevolutionaryadaptation

potential)• Pollinatorcorridors(birds,moths,bats,otherinsects)• Hemisphericmigratoryandpollinatingcorridor

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• “Carni-scape”(manylargemigratingcarnivores,sub-setofabovebullet)• Jaguarsandocelots(apexpredators,flagshipspecies• DesertTortoise/GilaMonster(regionallyofconcern)• Springsthatprovidewaterforwildlifemovingthroughacorridor/linkage• “Live-in”linkagesforincrementalmovementovergenerations

UplandSonoranDesert• Oldgrowthironwoodforest• Saguaro/PaloVerdeDesertScrubcommunity

Transboundaryspecies(insects,mammals,birds)• Nectarspeciesandpollinators• GoldenEagle• MountainLion• BlackBear• Monarchs• BaldEagle

Culturalknowledgeandheritagevalues(e.g.culturallandscapes,culturallysignificantspecies)

• Saguarofruit-harvest

Non-montaneSeasonalBiodiversityHotspots• Playas• Cienegas

EcologicalRefugiaandRestrictedLandscapeFacets–Importanttoregionalbiodiversityresilienceandpersistence,respectively

• Topographic/Aspect-basedclimaterefugia(abilitytomediateclimatechangeextremes)• Talusslopes(specialistinvertebrateandvertebratehabitat)• Limestoneoutcropping(specialistplantsandanimals)• Caves(bathabitat)• Cliffs/Escarpments(raptornesthabitat)

Species• MexicanWolf• DesertBighorn• EndemicandNeotropicalbirds

o Fallmigrantsinparticular• T&Especies

o Fish(GilaTopminnow,DesertPupfish,GilaChub,andothers)o Gastropods(SpringSnail)o Insects(Butterflies,moths,andspiders)

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o Amphibians(ChiricahuaLeopardFrog)

SkyIslandEcosystemServices(cross-cutting)• Groundwaterrecharge• Ecosystemprocesses(e.g.fire,wateravailability,nutrientcycling)• Naturaldisturbanceregime• Recreationandecotourism• Aestheticvalues• Managedworkinglandscapes• Headwaters–topsofwatershedsprovidingwatersourcesacrosstheelevationalrange

downstream• Wateravailabilityandsustainableuse

o Waterforlivestock• Alternativelivelihoodsbasedaroundecosystemrestoration/conservation,and/orsustainable

harvestofforestresources(e.g.mushrooms)

StressorsrelatedtoGrasslands,Springs,andStreamsParticipantsidentifiedthefollowingstressorsintheMadreanWatershedsasbothhighprioritytoaddressandabletobeeffectedthroughmanagement.Thesestressorsbelowareorganizedbymainstressor/sub-stressorsandarelistedalphabeticallybymainstressor.

Grasslands

• ClimateChangeo Changesinforageorcover(e.g.availability,structure,orcomposition)o Increasederosion(e.g.vegetationlossleadingtowinderosion)o Desertification

• DamsandwaterManagement/Useo Increasedgroundwaterpumping

• EcosystemEffectso Increasedhabitatfragmentation(e.g.fromdevelopment,landconversion,etc.)

• FireandFireSuppressiono Decreasingfirefrequency,size,and/orchangesinseverityoutsideofhistoricalof

variability(e.g.fromfiresuppressiono Invasiveorexoticspecies(e.g.,fire-adapted,newaggressiveinvasivesthatwilllikely

alterfireregimes)• InvasiveSpecies

o Changesincommunitycompositiono Spreadofinvasivenon-nativeandnativespecies(e.g.,barkbeetle,creosote,mesquite

tamarisk,etc.)• Livestock,Farming,andRanching

o Alteredstreambankstructureanderosionfromdomesticanimalpressureo Unsustainablegrazingo Streamchannelization

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o Increasedspreadofinvasiveplantspecies(e.g.,plantingexoticforageandpassivespread

• RenewableEnergyo Habitatfragmentation(transmissionlines,roads)

StreamsandRiparianStressorsSynthesis

• Damsandwatermanagement/useo Streamchannelizationo Changesingroundwaterrechargeo Increasedgroundwaterpumpingo Alteredhydrology(e.g.flowregimes,includingchangesinpeakflows)o Decreasingwateravailability(includingtiming),affectingaquaticandriparianhabitat)

• EcosystemEffectso Changesindisturbanceregimeo Lossofecosystemservices(certaincomponentscanbeaffected)o Increasedhabitatfragmentation(e.g.development,landconversion,etc.)

• Fireandfiresuppressiono Increasingfirefrequency,size,and/orseverityoutsideofthehistoricalrangeof

variability(e.g.fromincreasedhumancausedfireignitionrates,build-upoffuels)• Livestock,farmingandranching

o Unsustainablegrazingo Increasedgroundwaterpumpingtoattempttomaintainfarming

• Miningandquarryingo Harmful/toxicbyproducts(includingthoseinpondsanddownstream)*especiallyin

Mexicoo Habitatdestructionandmodification

SpringsStressorsSynthesis

• Climatechangeo Conditionsexceedingspeciesadaptivecapacityo Changesinevapotranspiration

• Damsandwatermanagement/useo Increasedgroundwaterpumpingo Reducedaquatichabitatconnectivity(e.g.withsalmonids,leopardfrogs)o Changesingroundwaterrecharge

• Ecosystemeffectso Decreaseinwateravailabilitytotheecosystem(Dependsontypeofspring,easiestif

alluvial)o Changesincommunitycomposition

• Fireandfiresuppressiono Increasingfirefrequency,size,and/orseverityoutsideofhistoricalrangeofvariability

(e.g.)fromincreasedhuman-causedfireignitionrates,build-upoffuels• Invasivespecies

o Changesincommunitycompositiono Increasedcompetitionwithnativespeciesduetoclimatechange

• Livestock,farmingandranching

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o Increasedgroundwaterpumpingtomaintainfarmingo Increasedspreadofinvasiveplantspecies(e.g.plantingexoticforageandpassivespread

InformationNeedsandCriticalUncertaintiesRelatedtoManagementAkeyfunctionofLandscapeConservationDesignistosynthesizeand/ordevelopinformationsuchthatmanagementdecisionscanbebetterinformedandbuildtowardthesharedconservationvision.Theidentificationofinformationgapsanduncertaintiesthatarecurrentlyhinderingmanagementcameupthroughouttheworkshopanaturalpartofdiscussions.Inaddition,wespecificallyaskedworkshopparticipantstoanswertwoquestionsinordertoassessinformationneedsthatwemaybeabletoaddressthroughdevelopingtheLandscapeConservationDesign:“Whatarethehighestprioritymanagementquestionsforaparticularfocalresource?”and“Whatcriticaluncertaintiesneedtobeaddressed(especiallyinthecontextofstressorstothefocalresource)?”EmergingThemesbyResources

Wereceived241individualcommentsfromapproximately75workshopparticipants.Thefollowingsectionsummarizesrecurringthemesofmanagementinterestandcurrentuncertaintiesbasedonmanagers’responses.

GrasslandsThemes• Agriculturalexpansion• Climatechangeimpacts• Connectivity• EcologicalHealth• Fire• Funding• Humanimpactsonresources• Hydrology• Invasivespecies• Ranching• Restoration• Socio-EcologicalValues

SpringsThemes

• Grazing• Climatechangeimpacts• Connectivity• Drought• Ecologicalhealth• EnvironmentalFlows• Fire• Geology• Groundwaterpumping• Humanimpactsonresources• Hydrology• Informationsharing

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• Invasivespecies• Socio-ecologicalvalues• Springdischarge• Waterpolicy• Wateruse• WatershedHealth

StreamsThemes• Climatechangeimpacts• Connectivity• Drought• EcologicalHealth• Effluent• EnvironmentalFlows• Fire• Funding• GroundwaterPumping• Humanimpactsonresources• Hydrology• Informationsharing• Invasivespecies• Phenology• Restoration• Socio-ecologicalvalues• Waterpolicy• Wateruse

SummaryofdesirednewinformationandsynthesistoinformmanagementWereviewedtheparticipantresponsestothetwoquestionsaboutinformationneedsandoutstandinguncertaintiesaswellasreviewinginformationneedsthatwerearticulatedthroughouttheworkshopsessions,anddevelopedthefollowingsummaryofquestionsandinformationneedsthatmaybeanswerableatleastinpartthroughdevelopmentofaLandscapeConservationDesign.ThissummaryprovidesimportantgroundinginthecurrentinformationandanalysisneedsofmanagersworkingwithintheMadreanWatershedsandshouldprovideguidancetodevelopmentofspatialanalysisandinformationsynthesisduringthenextstepsofLandscapeConservationDesignDevelopment.Theinformationneedsandquestionsaresummarizedbytopicareabelow.BiodiversityInformationonthecurrentstateofresources:

• Spatiallocationandextentofaspect-basedrefugia.Notes–needtoidentifyscaleandintegratethisassessmentwithbiodiversity.

• Spatiallocation/extentofpreviouslydisturbedlandscapeswithbiodiversityvalue(tohelpprioritizerestoration).Notes–needtodefine“previouslydisturbed”andextentofdisturbancewewouldwanttoassess.

• Spatiallocationofgrasslandslikelytobemostaffectedbiologicallybyinvasivespeciesandthosemostappropriateasreserves.

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• Spatiallocationofgrasslandsthatshouldnotbegrazedduetotheirimportanceincontributingtoinfiltrationofwater.

• Spatiallocationofdirttanksforcattlethatareactuallysprings.• Spatiallocationofspringswithassociatedinformationonbioticcommunity,water

amount/qualityandotheraspectsaswellasclassificationofspring(i.e.type).• Spatiallocationandextentofspringsthathavealreadybeenlost.• Locationoflowelevationspringsinproximitytogroundwaterpumping.• Evaluationofspringsfortheirpotentialresponse.Notes–needtoidentifywhatinfluenceswe

wanttoevaluateresponseto.• Historicandcurrentconditionsofallsprings.• Synthesisoffloraandfaunaoccurrenceatspringswhereinformationisaccessible.• Spatiallocationofwhererecharge/slowingrunoffintributarieswillincreasegroundwaterlevels

atthedownstream(valley)mainstemshallowaquifers.• Spatiallocationofthemostimportantareasforrechargeandtheircurrentconservationstatus.• Developnewinformationonthreatenedandendangeredspecies’rangesintheMexicoportion

ofthepilot.Informationregardingthepotentialfuturestateofresources:

• Trendingconditionsofallsprings.• Modelofhabitatchangeswecanexpectatstreams(aquaticandriparian)duetoclimate

change.ConnectivityCurrent

• Spatiallocationandextentofwherenewprotectedareasareneeded.• Spatiallocationandextentofintactthreadsofhabitatthrough“pinchpoints.”• Mapofstatusofareasforconnectivity:fullyimpaired–fullyprotected.• Mapofareasofconnectivitythatcanbelivedinforgenerations.Notes–needtoidentifyscale.

Socio-EcologicalServicesFuture

• Spatiallocationandextentofgrasslandsmostlikelytobeaffectedeconomicallybyclimatechange.Notes–assessiftheselocationsmayoverlapwithmostlikelytobeaffectedbiologically.

• Identificationofdevelopmentoptionsthatdonotmakethecurrentsituationworseforstreams.ManagementApproachesandTechniques

• Howtodevelopgrasslandobjectivesthatarerealisticgivenclimate/humanscenarios?• Whatgrasslandsustainablemanagementpracticeswillincreaseresilience?• Developagrasslandmonitoringapproachesforlocalconditions.• Whatgrasslandgoalswillbeappropriateforwoody/brushbalancewithgrass?• Identifyapproachesforgrasslandsthatareaddressingspecifichighimpactpressures/stressors?• Howdowepreventalossofbiodiversityatsprings?• Grasslandrestorationstrategies–identifywhicharerightundercircumstancesandhowto

prioritizewheretoapply• Whichgrasslandmanagementtechniquestohalt/slowencroachmentofshrubsthatare

affordable?• Howcanwebettermanagegroundwaterrecharge?

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• Howcanweeffectivelyremoveinvasivespeciesatsprings?• Whatapproacheswillhelpuscoordinateacrossaninternationalboundarytomaintainwater

connectivityforfish?

AdaptationActionPlansWe’veheardrepeatedlyfrompartnerswithintheMadreanWatershedsthatmanyofthemhavealreadyundertakensometypeofclimatechangeadaptationassessmentorplanningandthatItwascrucialtothisgroupofpartnerstobettercoordinateandadvanceon-the-groundworkintheshort-termwhilecontinuingtodeveloplonger-termplanthroughdevelopmentofthefinalLandscapeConservationDesign.Therefore,onefocusofthisworkshopwastoidentifyimmediatelyimplementableconservationactionplansforgrasslands,streams,andsprings.Workshopparticipantsalsoidentifiedtwoadditionaltopicsthatrequireimmediateactions:SkyIslandspecificresourceincludingelevationalgradientsandbuildingandstrengtheningcollaboration.SkyIslandresourcesareresourcesthatdependontheuniqueecosystemsandhabitatscreatedbytheelevationalgradientsformedbythe“skyisland/desertsea”structure.CollaborationpertainstotheactionsthattheMadreanpartnersshouldtaketostrengthenrelationshipsthroughoutthepilotareageography.Belowisalistoftheimmediate-termactionsrecommendedforeachofthefivetopics:

1. Grasslands:InvasiveSpeciesManagement2. Streams:EnhancingTributaryRechargeandSlowingWaterinUplands3. Springs:MexicoSpringInventories4. UniqueSkyIslandResources-EndemismandRefugia;DesignandCompleteaCorridorsStudy5. BuildingandStrengtheningCollaboration:PartneringwithTribes;ConductingOutreachforthe

MadreanPilotProcess

Grasslands:InvasiveSpeciesManagementActionPlanSteps

1. Implementaneducationcampaignaboutinvasivespecies• Purpose:Sharingknowledgeaboutthefunctionofgrasslands,anddiscouragingthe

perceptionoftheburroasiconicsymbolforSonora• Recommendedactivitiesforthenextyear:Developeducationalpresentations,suchasa

PowerPointshowingtheimpactofburrosasaninvasivespecies2. Researchexistingprogramsonbio-control3. Identifyandcollaboratewithfundingsources4. Createanindexoftheworkbeingdoneonmanaginginvasivespecies.Suggestedfeaturesofthe

index:• Organizebygeographyandbytargetspecies• Recordbotheffectiveandineffectivemethods

PartnerstoInvolve

• ArizonaAntelopeFoundation• AudubonSociety

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• AltarValleyConservationAlliance• USBureauofLandManagement• USNaturalResourceConservationService• SweetwaterCenter• TohonoO’odhamNation• Academicinstitutes• ArizonaDepartmentofTransportation• CountyDepartmentsofTransportation• ArizonaCooperativeExtension• Landowners• Tri-nationalorganization

Streams:EnhancingTributaryRechargeandSlowingWaterinUplandsThegoalsofthisactionplanaretoslowwatermovementinuplandsaroundtributariesandwithintributariestodecreasepeakflowandchannelization,andtoincreasebaseflowandcarbonsequestion.ActionPlanSteps

1. Conductaninventoryofexistingandpotentialactivities• IdentifyongoingeffortsintheMadreanregion(includinglong-termmonitoringof

projectimpacts).2. Inventorystrategiclocationsforimplementingstreamrechargeandslowingwatermovementin

uplands• Identifyprivatelandswithpotentialforresourcebenefitwhereworkisnotcurrently

beingdone• Identifyfundingandexpertise• Currentlocationopportunitiesinclude:

i. CienegaRanchinDosCabezasii. SanPedroRiparianNationalConservationArea–ResourceManagement

Planningprocessmayproposeuplandsworkiii. ElCoronadoRanchiv. BabocomariRiverv. ElkhornRanchvi. Patagonia(northofthetownofPatagonia)vii. MuleshoeandAravaipapropertiesofTheNatureConservancyviii. SilverCreekandCienegaCreek

3. Developadecisionsupportframeworkand/orbestpracticesforchoosinglocationsfortributary

rechargework• Scaleandplaceimportant–whereinawatershedandthenwhereinadrainage

4. Identifywillingpartnersfortheseprojectsi. Thislistwouldbereadytoselectfromwhenthereisanopportunitytodoan

on-the-groundprojectii. Makesuretoincludelandowners,aswellaspartnersfromMexicoand

indigenous/tribalcommunities

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5. Conveneaworkinggrouptoprioritizethemostimplementablestrategiesrelatedtoenhancingtributaryrechargeandslowingwaterinuplands

6. Implementtheprioritizedstrategies7. Documenteffectsandeffectivenessandincludehumanbenefitsmetrics8. ExplorepotentialfundingandpolicynexuswithBurnedAreaEmergencyResponsework

PartnerstoInvolve

• BorderlandsRestoration• CuencalosOjos• SkyIslandAlliance• TheNatureConservancy• TucsonAudubonSociety• USBureauofLandManagement• USBureauofReclamation• USFishandWildlifeService-Refuges;PartnersforFishandWildlifeprogram• USGeologicalSurvey• WatershedManagementGroup

Additionalrecommendedactivities

• Transferwaterrightsfromotherpurposestoenvironmentalflowso Securereclaimedwaterfortheenvironmentifsafe

• ProactivelyrestorenativetreesinanticipationofTamariskbeetlearrival• ReconnectfloodplainalongtheGilaRiver• Createislandsofnativeplantsandcreateaseedsourceaswellasrefugiaforflycathcers• Workwithditchassociationstooptimizewateravailabletotheenvironment

o Managetimingofflowo Changepointofdiversiontobeclosertohumanuse

• Increaseflexibilityofagriculturalwaterinareaswhereagriculturalwateruseimpactsshallowgroundwaterandstreams,usetochangetimingofwhenwaterreturnstoriver

o Demonstratecreativefarmingpracticesthatincreaseflexibilityinagriculturalwaterusee.g.lowwaterusecropslikestool;cropslikenativegrassesthatcansurvivetimewithoutirrigationandpotentiallyhelptransitiontoretiringirrigation;standardcropsthatusewaterwhenitstrainscreekstheleaste.g.winterbarley).

• Implementstrategiesingeographicallystrategiclocationssuchasnexttostretchesofprotectedlandtogetmoreenvironmental“bang”fromthewater

• Implementnet-zerodevelopmentwithwaterharvestingandrecharge• Floodskimming–pumpfloodwaterupstreamwithinatributarytoincreasebaseflowlater• Executeseverancesandtransferstochangediversionpoints(workwithirrigation

districts)o Watermarketscandothisifthewaterismeteredo MechanismsexisttodothisinMexicoviaWaterTrusts

• Worktoensurewaterbeingrechargedhasenvironmentalbenefits

Springs:SpringsInventoriesinMexicoActionPlanSteps

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1. Developastrategicprocessforinventory• SeepastKaibabNationalForesteffortasanexample• InventárioNacionaldeHumidádesGISlayerisinclusiveofsprings(CONAGUA)

2. Identifyexistingspringinventories/monitoringefforts.Includethelistbelow:• Stategovernment–SonoraandChihuahua• CEDESSonora• IRISChihuahua• UniversitiesofSonoraandChihuahua• UniversityofNewMexicoAlbuquerque–DepartmentofGeology• CommissionSonora-Arizona(Springsnotpreviouslyfocusedon)• SanPedroWatershed–10yearsofhydrologymonitoring• ParticipantsintheMadreanworkshop• Naturalia-notwell-known,hasad-hocefforts

1. Identifyopportunitiesforcollaborationaroundspeciesatsprings• AZGFDandSonoranStateAgency• USGS,AGFD,CEDES–ChiricahuaLeopardFrog• WorkwithvoluntaryprotectedareasinMexico(suchasRancholosFresnosandCuenca

losOjos).• PartnerwithNationalParksintheUS–PossiblepartnershipwithSaguaroNPand

MexicanprotectedareasPartnerstoInvolve

• USFishandWildlifeService• SpringsStewardshipInitiative• BureauofLandManagement• SkyIslandAlliance• NorthernArizonaUniversity• ComisiónNacionaldeAreasNaturalesProtegidas• Naturalia• ComisiónNacionaldelAgua• Tribes(Mex–Yaqui)• PimaCountyandotherlandholdingentities• AreasvoluntariesparalaConservaciónMexico• USGeologicalSurvey• Privatelandowners• CuencalosOjos• RancholosFresnos(Naturalia)• Bilingualuniversitystudents• GameandFishDepartments• StateofArizona• SGM• NationalParkService

Additionalactivitiesrecommendedforspringconservation

• Improveresearchonsourcesofwater(chemistry,isotopes)insprings• Workwithrancherstofree/improvespringsusedbylivestock• Developprioritizedstewardship-planningprocess–howdoweprioritizewhichsprings?

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• Continuespringinventories–mapping/assessments,especiallyinMexico• Engageincitizenscienceactivitiesforspringmonitoring,includingcontinuingthedevelopment

ofcitizensciencemonitoringtools

UniqueSkyIslandResources:ConservingEndemismandRefugiaandaCorridorStudyConservingEndemismandRefugiaActionPlanSteps

1. Completeaninventoryoftheendemicspeciesintheregion,andthelocationsoftheirrefugia.o Identifycurrentrefugia,aswellasareasspecieswouldpotentiallymoveto

2. Identifyalistofendemicspeciestofocusonforrefugiao Usetheinventorytoidentifyspeciesandplacesofhighestvalueo Prioritizespeciesusingexistingefforts,suchas:

§ Assessmentofexistingrefugiaprojects§ ArizonaStateWildlifePlan§ Existingspeciesrecoveryplans§ PastworkshopsintheMadreanregion§ IUCNRedLists§ SkyIslandAlliancespringssurveys(mostlyintheGaliuroMtnsandinSonora)

o Considermakingthisassessmentastudyforagradstudent3. Foreachspecies,identifythestateofknowledge:

o Mapknowndistributiono Identifyexistingareasofconservation,aswellaspotentialnewareaso Describepopulationtrends–indicesofstatuso Modelhowdistributionsmaychangeovertime(potentiallydevelopscenarios)o Identifywherenewreservesmaybeneeded

4. Developconservationrecommendationsbasedonspeciesneedso Recommendationscouldbemadecollaborativelythroughasymposium*

5. Pickaspeciestodoapilotprojecton,andimplementabi-nationalprocessforconservationo Possiblespecies:thick-billedparroto Launchapubliceducationprogramo Obtainfundingtobeginconservationefforts

6. Workshopsormeetingsshouldbeheldtosupporttheinventory,prioritizationofspecies,recommendationsonconservation,pilotproject,orotherphasesoftheprocess.

PartnerstoInvolve

• ArizonaCenterforNatureConservation• ArizonaGameandFishDepartment(mostlyforherpsandinvertebrates,andsomelarge

mammalspecies)• ComisiónNacionaldeAreasNaturalesProtegidas• CuencaLosOjos• Naturalia• NewMexicoDepartmentofGameandFish• SaguaroNationalPark• SkyIslandAlliance• SpringsStewardshipInstitute

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• TheNatureConservancy• USFishandWildlifeService• Botanistsandentomologists• ChiricahuaLeopardFroggroup• ComisiónNacionalForestal• Universities• USForestService• USDepartmentofDefense

CorridorsStudyActionPlanSteps

1. Createacollaborativestructureforregionalsharingofinformationaboutcorridors2. Createaframeworkorstrategytocompleteconnectivitymappingandacameratrapping

database3. Completeanassessmentoftheexistingeffortstopromoteconnectivity(mapping,plans,

conservationprojects,etc.)o Existingprojects(includecameratrappingprojects)o Methodsanddesignsusedo Effectivenessofmethods/designs(e.g.,areanimalsusingwildlifeculverts?)o Contactpeoplewhoaremappingeveryarea,including:

§ Inter-island:mappingneedstobecompleted§ Withinislands:mappingneedstobecompleted§ Pilotarea-wide§ MexicanHighway2§ MexicanWolfhistoricdistributions§ SonoraandChihuahua

§ US-MexicofencelineinventorybeingdonebyArizonaCenterforNativeConservation

§ PollinatoradaptationprojectbySkyIslandAlliance4. Compiletheinformationgatheredintheassessment5. Identifynextstepsbygettingpartnerstogether(throughaworkshop,meetings,digital

communications,etc.).Nextstepscouldinvolve:o Decidingonasinglemethodtodocumentcorridors(LandCover,etc.)o Continuingandexpandingmappingeffortstoidentifyadditionalneededareasofinter-

islandconnectivityo Connectivitymodelingforasuiteofsurrogatespeciesinthepilotareao UsingWildlandsNetworkGuideforinfluencingForestPlansandBLMmanagementplanso Identifyingstreamsthatareinfestedwithexoticspecies,andprotectingtheirheadwater

springsfrominvasiono Creatingaconnectivitymap–drawonexisting/pastprocesses(WildlandsNetwork,

jaguareffortinCostaRica,WildUtah,etc.)

PartnerstoInvolve• AnimasTrust• ArizonaCenterforNatureConservation• ArizonaDepartmentofTransportation(inmultipleareas)• ArizonaGameandFishDepartment• ArizonaStateUniversity

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• AudubonSociety• BorderlandsHabitatNetwork• ConservationSciencePartners• CuencalosOjos• Foundationsanddonors–thereareexistinglists• SkyIslandAlliance• Somecountiesandlocalgovernments• SouthwestMonarchStudy• TheNatureConservancy(forlarge-scalemapping)• USBureauofLandManagement• USFishandWildlifeService• USGeologicalSurvey• USNationalParkService• USNationalPhenologyNetwork• WildlandsNetwork• BirdJointVentures–Sonoran,RioGrande• ComisiónNacionaldelAgua• ComisiónNacionaldeÁreasNaturalesProtegidas• ComisiónNacionalForestal• Countyandlocalgovernmentplanners• HummingbirdMonitoringNetwork• Hunters• Privatelandownersandcommunallandowners• Profauna• PronaturaNoreste• Transportationauthorities• USBorderPatrol• USCongress• USDepartmentofDefense• USForestService

AdditionalactivitiesrecommendedforuniqueSkyIslandresourcesForthefollowingtopics,threemainstepsarerecommended:

1. Identifyknowledgegaps.2. Identifykeypeoplewhomayacttofillthegaps.3. Convenekeypeople,orincorporatethemintoexistinggroupsworkingontheissue.

Cameradocumentationandcoordination

• Effortsarealreadybeingmade–justneedtoinventoryandcoordinateexistingprojects• Makecoordinationanddocumentationcloud-based• UsetheSouthwestCameraNetworkFacebooksitetogetpeopletogether,arrangeapossible

meeting,andbuildcapacityWildlifeCrossings

• Alreadyoccurring.OnenotableopportunityisMexicoHighway2• WildlandsNetworkcanimplement• Wouldlikeinputonlocationsanddesigns

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Additionaltopicsforpotentialfuturework• Influencingmanagement(fire,Wilderness,meta-populations,cross-borderdifferences)• Firemanagement• Sustainableforestmanagement(fuelwoodcutting,restoration,BurnedAreaEcological

Restoration,etc.)• Soil,erosion• StateofScienceonelevationalgradients• Watersystems(recharge,groundwater,etc.)–connectivity,gaps,understandingofaquifersin

theregion

BuildingandStrengtheningCollaboration:PartnerwithTribesActionPlanSteps

1. ApproachTribeswithaclearideathathasbenefitstothem.o Potentialbenefitsinclude:

§ Greatercooperation§ Enhancingwildlife§ Investinginscience§ Collaboratingongrants§ Managinglargeareastogether§ Optimismforthefuture§ Communicateusingkeywords“landstewards,”“traditionalecological

knowledge”o Placestoengage

§ TribalCouncil§ Inter-tribalcouncil/leaderforumagenda§ NativeAmericanFishandwildlifeSociety

2. Createanddistributetangiblecommunicationmaterialso Newslettero BrochuredescribingtheDesertLCC/MadreanPilotArea

§ What’sgoingon,whoisinvolved,whatthebenefitsareo StoriesofDesertLCCsuccesseso EngageLandManagergroup

BuildingandStrengtheningCollaboration:ConductOutreachfortheMadreanLandscapeConservationDesignActionPlanSteps

1. Gotopolicymakers-learnwhat’shappeningontheground,andinformaboutDesertLCC/Madreanprocess

2. EstablishindicatorsofsuccessfortheMadreanprocess3. EngageMexicotoagreaterextentinthePartnerAssessment4. Convenecross-visitsbetweenpartners5. Utilizecitizenscience(suchasSaffordvolunteerism)6. Engageinmatesandveterans7. Engageyouth

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• Integratingyouthintoexistingrestorationprojects• CreatingaMadreanYouthConservationCorps

i. Model/useTohonoO’odhamairqualityprograms• CoordinatewithMexicancolleges-opportunitiestohaveexperienceelsewhere• Includingmulti-culturalyouth• Includingyouthinland/water/outdoors• PartnerwithTucsonAudubonandindividualsfromtheMadreanWorkshop

8. Linkplace-basedgroups,andprioritizingprojectsthatarerelevanttoplace-basedefforts• Annualforum• PartnerwiththeBorderlandsRestorationLeadershipInstitute

ConclusionsandRecommendationsDevelopingaLandscapeConservationDesigninthelargeanddiverseMadreanWatershedspilotareathattrulyreflectssharedinterestsandgoalsofamyriadofpartners,andadvancesconservationofnaturalresources,isasignificantundertakingwithpreciousfewexamplestolooktoforguidance.ItisanessentialsteptobringtheLandscapeConservationCooperative’svisiontoworkeffectivelyacrossjurisdictions,sectors,andvaryinglandscapestosolvetheconservationproblemsofourtimetogetherthatcannotbesolvedbyanyoneorganization.We’vetakenanapproachtoLandscapeConservationDesigndevelopmentthatisthoroughlygroundedinthevalues,priorities,goalsandinformationneedsofthediverseentitiesmanagingandstewardingnaturalresourcesinboththeU.S.andMexicowithintheMadreanWatersheds.Thisisreflectedintheextensiveinputthathasbeengatherfromsome150individualsandmorethan60differentorganizationsoverthecourseofthisproject,includingthroughthisworkshop.Bringingthisinformationtogetherinawaythatclarifiesmeaningfulsharedgoalsandthathelpsmanagersworktogethermoreeffectivelyoverthelong-termisnosmalltask.Asreflectedinthisworkshopreport,understandingnaturalresourcesatalandscapescaleinacohesivewayincludesadiversityofaspectsincludinggoals,objectives,particularresourcessuchasspeciesorspecialecosystems,

ThisworkshopdevelopedkeycomponentsofaLandscapeConservationDesignfortheMadreanWatershedsPilotArea.Practitionerswithinthepilotareacametogethertocraftasharedvisionofconservationaction,toassesscross-jurisdictionalprioritiesandkeyareasforcollaborationgoingforward,toarticulatepressinginformationneedsformanagement,andtodeveloptangiblestrategiestobegintoadapttoclimatechangenowwhilecontinuingtodevelopacomprehensiveLandscapeConservationDesign.

Thesharedconservationvisionandframeworkdetailedinthisreportwillprovidecommongroundandanimportantreferencepointfromwhichtodevelopadditionalinformationandananalysisstructure.Keynextstepsmustaddressbringingthepiecesdescribedhere(vison,goals/objectives,values,focalresourcesandecosystems,prioritystressors,andmanagementoptions)togetherintoacohesiveunderstandingofthestateofresourcesintheMadreanWatersheds,likelychangesovertime,andhowthepartnergroupcanbestrespondcollaboratively.

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NextStepsforConservationDesignDevelopment

WearenowworkingwithwealthofinformationontheMadreanWatershedsthatmustbesynthesized,wherepossiblespatiallyanalyzed,andinmanycasesfurtherdevelopedinordertocraftspatialanalysesthatTheLandscapeConservationDesignfortheMadreanWatershedspilotareawillincludeaninteractivemapdepictingkeyplacesandactionplansneededtoconservenaturalculturalandsocialvalues,andtosustaintheminthefaceoffutureclimatechange.Itwillalsoincludecollaborativelydevelopedactionplansandnewgroupsofpartnersworkingtogethertoimplementthedesigncooperatively.

KeynextstepstoadvancedevelopmentoftheLandscapeConservationDesignfortheMadreanWatershedsinclude:

• WorkwiththeMadreanWatershedscoordinatingteamandDesertLCCmanagementquestionandscienceteamstodevelopindicatorsandtargetstosupportanalysisforthegoalsandfundamentalobjectives.

o Synthesizeindicatorsalreadyinuseincurrentplansandmanagementapproaches.o Developandapproachtoassessecosystemconditionbasedonchosenindicators(likely

3(2-5)perecosystem).o Developanyremotesensingdataproductsorspatialanalysesneededtorepresent

theseindicatorsoverthescaleofeachpilotarea.o Reviewavailabledatasetsthatmaybestrepresenttheindicator,eitherdirectlyor

indirectly,andthehowbesttoquantifylevelsofconditionforprovidingstatusassessmentsandtargetsetting(potentially)offuturecondition/status.

• Developspatialinformationrelatedtoresourcesandstressorsofhighinterest.• Utilizeinformationfromtheworkshop,includingmanagers’informationneeds,todevelopa

scenarioplanningapproachandscenariostoinformtheLandscapeConservationDesign• FurtherengageMexicanpartnerswithinthepilotareatoensureproductsarerelevanttotheir

informationneedsandwork.• Utilizeinformationfromtheworkshop,includingmanagers’informationneeds,toinformspatial

analysisapproachandtoinformconsiderationofotherinformation/synthesis/analysisproductsthatmaybemostusefultomanagers.

• EngagetheMadreanWatershedscoordinatingteaminreviewinginterimproductsandassessingprogresstowardausefulLandscapeConservationDesign.

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Appendices

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AppendixA:WorkshopAgenda

DesertLandscapeConservationCooperative

MadreanWatershedsLandscapeConservationDesign

WednesdayandThursday,September21-22,2016---9AM–5PM

Tucson,Arizona–UniversityofArizona(EnvironmentandNaturalResources2,RoomS107)

Agenda

WorkshopGoals

1. DevelopacommonunderstandingoftheimportanceoftheMadreanWatershedslandscapeandmanagementchallengesandopportunitiesinthisregion.

2. ProvideanoverviewofLandscapeConservationPlanningandDesign,includingpurposeandprocess,statusofdatadevelopment,stakeholderassessment,andsharedconservationgoalsforgrasslands,streamsandriparianareas.

3. DraftsharedgoalsforMadreanlargelandscaperesources,suchasconnectivity,biodiversity,andsocio-ecologicalservices4. FurtherprioritizeimportantresourcesintheMadreanlandscapeforsubsequentin-depthanalysis,scenariodevelopmentandspatialdesign5. Refineexistingandidentifynewlocallyrelevantstrategies(shorter-termandlonger-term)toachievesharedgoals.

Day1–Wednesday,September21

8:30am RegistrationandNetworking9:00 PLENARY:WelcomeandIntroductions-GenevieveJohnson,DesertLCC

WorkshopOverview-TahneeRobertson,SouthwestDecisionResources9:15 PLENARY:LandscapeConservationPlanningandDesignandMadreanPilotAreaOverview

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Day2–Thursday,September229:00am PLENARY:WelcomeandDay2AgendaReview-TahneeRobertson,SouthwestDecisionResources9:05

PLENARY:RelevantToolsandPrograms• DesertLCCwebsiteandConservationPlanningAtlas-AmandaWebb,DesertLCC;MaureenCorrell,BirdConservancyofthe

Rockies• PartnerAssessmentResults-ColleenWhitaker,SouthwestDecisionResources• MadreanRapidEcoregionalAssessmentAvailableDataSetsandVISTATool-PatrickCrist,NatureServe

• DesertLCCandLandscapeConservationDesignApproach-GenevieveJohnson,DesertLCC• OverviewofLargeLandscapeConservation-LarryFisher,Univ.ofAZSchoolofNaturalResources&theEnvironment• OverviewofMadreanWatershedsPilotArea-JuanCarlosBravo,WildlandsNetwork• MadreanLCPDProcessandthisWorkshop-LouiseMisztal,SkyIslandsAllianceandTahneeRobertson,SDR• IdentifyingHighImpactStressorsandThreatsinthemadreanpilotareaintheDesertLCC-CarolBeardmore,SonoranJointVenture

andEstherRubin,ArizonaGameandFishDepartment10:30 PLENARY:MadreanSharedVisionIntro-GenevieveJohnson,DesertLCC

10:45 Break11:00 BREAKOUTGROUPS:MadreanSharedVision12:15pm Lunch(onyourownatnearbyrestaurants)1:15 PLENARY:MadreanSharedVisionSharingBack2:00 BREAKOUTGROUPS:MadreanResourcesRound1-MadreanSpecificResources3:00 Break3:15 BREAKOUTGROUPS:MadreanResourcesRound2-Grasslands,Springs,Streams4:15 Break4:30 PLENARY:MadreanResourcesandObjectivesOutcomesSharingBack5:00pm AdjournandEveningSocial(BrewofA)

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10:15 Break10:30 PLENARYPANEL:CurrentAdaptationStrategiesintheMadrean–MODERATORLouiseMisztal,SkyIslandAlliance

AmyMarkstein,BureauofLandManagement;DonSwan,SaguaroNationalPark;BrianPowell,PimaCounty;CarianneCampbell,SkyIslandAlliance;AntonioEsquier,ProteccióndelaFaunaMexicana

12:00pm Lunch(Onyourownatnearbyrestaurants)1:00 BREAKOUTGROUPS:StrategiesPart1-Cross-cuttingHighPriorityStrategies

2:00 Break2:15 BREAKOUTGROUPS:StrategiesPart2–Short-termStrategyRecommendations

3:15 Break3:30 PLENARY:Short-termStrategiesSharingBack3:45 PLENARY:ScenarioPlanningIntroduction-CarolynEnquist,SouthwestClimateScienceCenter

4:30 PLENARY:NextStepsandClosingComments-LouiseMisztal,SkyIslandAllianceandTahneeRobertson,SDR5:00pm Adjourn

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AppendixB:WorkshopParticipantList

DesertLandscapeConservationCooperative

MadreanWatershedsLandscapeConservationDesign

WednesdayandThursday,September21-22,2016---9AM–5PM

Sergio Avila Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum [email protected] Dana Backer Saguaro National Park [email protected] Iris Banda Pronatura Noreste A.C. [email protected] Holly Barton Tohono O'odham Nation [email protected] Carol Beardmore Sonoran Joint Venture - USFWS [email protected] Gitanjali Bodner The Nature Conservancy [email protected] Juan Carlos Bravo Wildlands Network [email protected] Jean Calhoun USFWS [email protected] James Callegary USGS [email protected] Carianne Campbell Sky Island Alliance [email protected] Gerardo Carreon NATURALIA, AC [email protected] Evan Carson University of New Mexico [email protected] Matt Clark Tucson Audubon Society [email protected] Joneen Cockman AZ BLM Safford [email protected] Jeff Conn BLM [email protected] Mo Correll Bird Conservancy of the Rockies [email protected]

Ruben Cu:k Ba'ak Tohono O'odham Nation Environmental Protection Office [email protected]

Don Decker

United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service [email protected]

Hermes Iván Díaz Ceniceros Red Fronteriza de Salud y Ambiente AC [email protected]

Jennie Duberstein Sonoran Joint Venture [email protected] Peter Else Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance [email protected]

Carolyn Enquist Southwest Climate Science Center, USGS [email protected]

Antonio Esquer Protección de la Fauna Mexicana AC [email protected] Nancy Favour BLM [email protected] Nancy Ferguson Sweetwater Center [email protected] Larry Fisher University of Arizona [email protected] Kelly Fuller Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona [email protected] Florence Gardipee U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [email protected] Janelle Gaun Saguaro National Park [email protected] Tricia Gerrodette [email protected] Anita Govert University of Arizona, SW CSC [email protected] Matt Grabau Desert LCC [email protected] Eve Halper U.S. Bureau of Reclamation [email protected]

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Sami Hammer Sky Island Alliance [email protected] Tasha Harden USFWS [email protected] Sallie Hejl National Park Service [email protected]

Steve Jackson Southwest Climate Science Center, USGS [email protected]

Genevieve Johnson Desert LCC [email protected]

Linda Kennedy Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, Audubon [email protected]

Tim Kirkpatrick NMPFC [email protected] Diane Laush Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance [email protected] Jeri Ledbetter Springs Stewardship Institute [email protected] Greg Levandoski Bird Conservancy of the Rockies [email protected] Ben Lomeli US BLM [email protected] Oliver Lysaght Borderlands Restoration [email protected] Amy Markstein Bureau of Land Management [email protected] Elroy Masters BLM Arizona State Office [email protected] Norm (Mick) Meader Cascabel Conservation Association [email protected] Louise Misztal Sky Island Alliance [email protected] Dave Murray BLM [email protected] Ashwin Naidu University of Arizona [email protected] Laura Nolier Biophilia Foundation Inc [email protected] Elna Otter Cascabel Working Group [email protected] Jose Manuel Perez Cuenca los Ojos [email protected] Nic Perkins Saguaro National Park [email protected] Ryan Peterson BLM [email protected] Brian Powell Pima County [email protected] William Radke U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service [email protected] Kris Randall US Fish and Wildlife Service [email protected] Damian Rawoot University of Arizona, SNRE [email protected] Aimee Roberson Rio Grande Joint Venture [email protected] Tahnee Robertson Southwest Decision Resources [email protected] Bob Rogers The Nature Conservancy [email protected] Esther Rubin Arizona Game and Fish Department [email protected] Noe Santos Bureau of Reclamation [email protected]

Jan Schipper Phoenix Zoo and Arizona State University [email protected]

Christine Schirmer Southwest Climate Science Center [email protected] David Seibert Borderlands Restoration [email protected] Salek Shafiqullah Coronado National Forest [email protected] Akanksha Sharma University of Arizona [email protected] Rodrigo Sierra Corona UNAM [email protected] Jeff Simms BLM Gila District [email protected] Karen Simms BLM Tucson Field Office Office [email protected] Julia Sittig Southwest Decision Resources [email protected] Cynthia Soria Arizona Game and Fish Department [email protected] Abe Springer Northern Arizona University [email protected] Larry Stevens Springs Stewardship Institute [email protected] Scott Stonum Saguaro National Park [email protected]

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Tice Supplee Audubon Arizona [email protected] Don Swann National Park Service [email protected] Elia Tapia UA WRRC [email protected] Kyle Thompson Altar Valley Conservation Alliance [email protected] Dale Turner The Nature Conservancy [email protected] Selso Villegas Tohono O'odham Nation [email protected] Jeannie Wagner-Greven Cascabel Conservation Association [email protected] Cynthia Wallace U.S. Geological Survey [email protected] Peter Warren The Nature Conservancy [email protected] Amanda Webb Desert LCC [email protected]

Grant Weinkam University of Arizona, Water Resources Research Center [email protected]

Robert Weissler Friends of the San Pedro River [email protected] Colleen Whitaker Southwest Decision Resources [email protected] Scott Wilbor Arizona Land and Water Trust [email protected] Aaron Wilkerson BLM [email protected]

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AppendixC:InitialRecommendationsonIntegrationofBLMREAs

ThefollowingsynthesiswaspreparedtooutlineourunderstandingoftheapplicabilityofBLMRapidEcoregionalAssessmentstodevelopingLandscapeConservationDesignsintheDesertLCC.TheBLMhascompletedthreedifferentRapidEcoregionalAssessmentsthatoverlappilotareasselectedbytheDesertLCC,atleasttosomeextent.

MadreanRapidEcorogionalAssessment

TheMadreanRapidEcoregionalAssessment(MARREA)isanecologicalassessmentofselectedConservationElementsoftheMadreanregionoftheU.S.andMexico,butultimatelyfocusedontheU.S.portionbecauseofdataavailabilityissues.TheareaofstudyfortheMARREAverycloselyoverlapstheU.S.portionoftheMadreanWatershedspilotarea.ThislimitationoftheMARREAtotheU.S.portionoftheregionisanimportantrealitytorememberwithrespecttointegrationwithLandscapeConservationDesign.KeytounderstandingtheMARREAisknowingthat“managementquestions”frominputof(primarily)BLMandForestServicemanagersdroveselectionofConservationElements(CEs)byresearchers.ConservationElementsarethecorefocalnaturalresourcesthatwereassessedwithinthisecoregion,theyincluded:–habitats,ecosystems,andspecies,orotherfeatures.TheseCEsincludedidentifiedecologicalsystemsthatwereintendedtobearepresentativecross-sectionoftheregion’sdiversityoraregenerallyrestrictedtothisecoregion,aswellasasuiteofcomplementaryandregionallysignificantspeciesthatarerepresentativeofotherenvironmentsthatwerenotadequatelyreflectedbytheecologicalsystemtypesorthatspanecologicalsystemtypes.TheecosystemCEsforwereselectedfromNatureServe’sclassificationofterrestrialecologicalsystems(Comeretal.2003).Aterrestrialecologicalsystemisdefinedasagroupofplantcommunitytypesthattendtoco-occurwithinlandscapeswithsimilarecologicalprocesses,substrates,and/orenvironmentalgradients.ThisNatureServeproductisuniqueanduseful,butithaslimitationswithripariansystems,especiallywherelowlandriparianforesttypes,includingmesquitebosque,arelumpedtogether,andthusdonotrepresentripariangalleryforests(i.e.cottonwood/willow)well.ThetotalnumberofCEsultimatelyassessed(modeled)were11ecologicalsystemsand8species.TheMARREAcompletedstandardassessmentsforeachCE,whichincluded:calculatingecologicalstatusofeachCE,overallecologicalintegrityoftheecoregion,andclimatechangetrends(recent,future,CEintersectedwithfutureclimate,andbio-climateenvelopemodels).SpecialAssessmentstoaddressmanagementissueswerealsocompletedfor:1)Development(includingsolar);2)MesquiteScrub

Expansion;andSoilErosionPotential.TheREAprovidesanassessmentofecologicalconditionbasedoncombinedindicatorsthatrepresentChangeAgents(oftenstressors),describedinfiguresas“fullscenarios”.Theseindicatorsarethose“measures”derivablefromremotesensingorecoregionwidemonitoringprograms,animportantpointtoremember.IntheMadreanregiontheseindicatorsfallprimarilytothreemainterrestrialindictors:

Development,Invasivespecies,andFireregimedeparture.Aquaticindicatorsconsistof:Endangered

species,Nativefish,Indexofaquaticmacroinvertebrates,Non-nativeinvasivespecies,Presenceof

bullfrogs&crayfish,CombinedtotalsurfaceandgroundwaterusebygroundwaterbasinorCounty,

ProperFunctionConditionAssessment,AquaticHabitatQualityAssessment(notetheselasttwoindicatorsareBLMandFSagencyriparian/aquaticmonitoringprotocolsthatareveryweaklydistributed

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acrossthelandscapeandIwouldadvisegreatcautionextrapolatingthembeyondtheiroriginofmeasurement).MohaveBasinandRangeRapidEcoregionalAssessmentTheMohaveBasinandRangeRapidEcoregionalAssessment(MBRREA)isanassessmentofselectedConservationElementsoftheMojaveregionoftheU.S.,essentiallycoveringthesouthernthirdofNevada,muchofsoutheasternCalifornia,northwesternArizona,andasmallcornerofsouthwestUtah.TheMBRREAoverlapswiththeMojavepilotareathatiscurrentlyundergoingLandscapeConservationDesigndevelopmentwithintheDesertLCC.KeytounderstandingtheMBRREAisknowingthat“managementquestions”frominputof(primarily)BLMdrovewhatConservationElements(CEs)wereselectedbyresearchers.ConservationElementsarethecorefocalnaturalresourcesthatwereassessedwithinthisecoregion,theyincluded:habitats,ecosystems,andspecies,orotherfeatures.TheseCEsincludedidentifiedecologicalsystemsthatwereintendedtobearepresentativecross-sectionoftheregion’sdiversityoraregenerallyrestrictedtothisecoregion,aswellasasuiteofcomplementaryandregionallysignificantspeciesthatarerepresentativeofotherenvironmentsthatwerenotadequatelyreflectedbytheecologicalsystemtypesorthatspanecologicalsystemtypes.TheecosystemconservationelementsfortheMBRREAwereselectedfromNatureServe’sclassificationofterrestrialecologicalsystems(Comeretal.2003).Aterrestrialecologicalsystemisdefinedasagroupofplantcommunitytypesthattendtoco-occurwithinlandscapeswithsimilarecologicalprocesses,substrates,and/orenvironmentalgradients.ThisNatureServeproductisuniqueanduseful,butitdoeshavelimitationsonripariansystems.IntheirattemptforaddedvaluetheysegmentedtheirripariancoverclassusingSSURGOandSTATSGO,whereavailable,fordepictinghydricsoilswithnaturallandcover.Further,NationalWetlandInventory(NWI)wasusedasadditionalback-upforwetlandlocations,andNHDPlus(1:100Kand1:24Kscaledata)wasusedforstreams,lakes,intermittentwashes,andplayas.ThetotalnumberofCEsultimatelyassessed(modeled)were19ecologicalsystems,7soiltypes,9TerrestrialHabitat-basesSpeciesAssemblages,28LandscapeSpecies,and306localspecies.TheMBRREAassessmentincludedwhattheytermedstandardassessments,whichincluded:calculatingecologicalstatusofeachCE,overallecologicalintegrityoftheecoregion,andclimatechangetrends(recent,future,CEintersectedwithfutureclimate,andbio-climateenvelopemodels).SouthwestReGAPmapsprovidedthestartingpointformostlandscapespecies,withexistinghabitatlocation/suitabilitymodelsavailableforallbuttheCaliforniaportionoftheirdistribution.Forecologically-basedspeciesassemblages,MaximumEntropy(Maxent)wasusedwithavailablegeoreferencedobservationstoproduceaprobabilitysurfaceforsuitablehabitatthatmightsupportagivenCE.Localspeciesdatawerederivedprimarilyfromfieldobservationsand/orElementOccurrencerecordsfromNaturalHeritageprograms.TheMBRREAisprovidinganassessmentofecologicalconditionbasedonthesecombinedindicatorsrepresentingChangeAgents(oftenstressors).ChangeAgentsintheMohaveinclude:WildlandFire,Development,InvasiveSpecies,andClimateChange.Indicatorsarethose“measures”derivablefromremotesensingorecoregionwidemonitoringprograms,animportantpointtoremember.IntheMohaveregiontheseindicatorsfallprimarilytothreemainterrestrialindictors:LandscapeCondition,

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InvasiveAnnualGrass,andFireRegimeDeparture.Aquaticindicatorsconsistof:HydrologicConditionandWaterQuality.UnprotectedPlaces(Places1)ofhighbiodiversitywereanalyzedagainstaProtectedLandslayer(GAPStatus1and2).MuchoftheanalysesinthisREAwerepresentedatthe5thlevelwatershed,whichisascalechoicethatmayormaynotbeappropriatewithassessmentsoflargerlandscapeanalysis.SonoranDesertRapidEcoregionalAssessment

TheSonoranDesertRapidEcoregionalAssessment(SODREA)isanecologicalassessmentofselectedConservationElementsoftheSonoranDesertregionoftheU.S.andMexico,butultimatelyfocusedontheU.S.portionbecauseofdataavailabilityissues.ThisisanimportantrealitytorememberwiththeDLCCLCDgoalsahead.KeytounderstandingtheSODREAisknowingtheregionalmanagementquestionsfrominputof(primarily)BLMdrovewhatConservationElements(CEs)wereselectedbyresearchers.ConservationElementsarethecorefocalnaturalresourcesthatwereassessedwithinthisecoregion,theyincluded:habitats,ecosystems,andspecies,orotherfeatures.TheseCEsincludedidentifiedecologicalsystemsthatwereintendedtobearepresentativecross-sectionoftheregion’sdiversityoraregenerallyrestrictedtothisecoregion,aswellasasuiteofcomplementaryandregionallysignificantspeciesthatarerepresentativeofotherenvironmentsthatwerenotadequatelyreflectedbytheecologicalsystemtypesorthatspanecologicalsystemtypes.TheecosystemconservationelementsfortheSODREAwereselectedfromNatureServe’sclassificationofterrestrialecologicalsystems(Comeretal.2003),LANDFIREexistingvegetationtype(EVT),andLANDFIREBiophysicalSettings(BpS)datasets.Aterrestrialecologicalsystemisdefinedasagroupofplantcommunitytypesthattendtoco-occurwithinlandscapeswithsimilarecologicalprocesses,substrates,and/orenvironmentalgradients.NatureServeandLANDFIREEVTwereusedtodeterminecurrentvegetationcommunities,butLANDFIREBpShistoricvegetationreferencewasusedtocomparewithLANDFIREEVT.ThetotalnumberofCEsultimatelyassessed(modeled)were3ecologicalsystemsand11species.TheSODREAassessmentincludedwhattheytermedcoarse-filterelementsforEcologicalSystemCEs,whichincluded:calculatingecologicalintactnessofeachCE,existingvegetationcommunitystatus,andeffectofdisturbance(recent,future,development).SpeciesCEswereincludedusingfine-filterelementswhichincluded:calculatingCurrentdistributionofeachCE,Areasofconnectivity,Biodiversitysitelocation,andHMA(HerdManagementAreas)locations.

TheREAisprovidinganassessmentofecologicalconditionbasedonthesecombinedindicatorsrepresentingChangeAgents(oftenstressors).Theseindicatorsarethose“measures”derivablefromremotesensingorecoregionwidemonitoringprograms,animportantpointtoremember.IntheSonoranDesertregiontheseindicatorsfallprimarilytofourmainterrestrialindictors:Development,

Invasivespecies,ClimateChange,andFireRegimeDeparture.Aquaticindicatorsconsistof:EndangeredSpecies,NativeFish,Non-nativeInvasiveSpecies,AlteredFlowRegimes,andChangeinRiparianCommunityComposition.