What is a multi-species conservation strategy? What are ...

What is a multi-species conservation strategy? What are some benefits of multi-species

conservation strategies over single-species plans?

Multispecies conservation strategy is a holistic approach in which various species at risk of a

landscape area are managed in a way to confirm long-term sustainability of their populations and

to protect other species from being at risk of extirpation of that landscape (Quinlan et al. 2003,

Blouin, 2004). Various government and non-government organizations and management and

conservation agencies can also be involved with these projects. According to Blouin, (2004),

multispecies conservation strategy is a practical and advanced way of quick management in

which practices are applied to save species at risks and other non-threatened elements of

biodiversity. Historically, management initiatives are accepted by only considering the status of

individual species. Since the number of 'species at risk', 'species may be at risk' and 'sensitive

species' are increasing day by day, the challenges of their management and conservation

strategies are becoming more difficult (Quinlan et al. 2003). Consequently, various conservation

strategies regarding biodiversity management have been developed in recent years to protect

species extirpation (Lambeck, 1997; Caro and O'Doherty, 1999) Since multiple species

conservation strategies include various priority species as well as other management objectives,

innovative approach and continued attention are needed to meet the challenges of this approach

(Quinlan et al. 2003).

Multispecies conservation strategy program was first applied in the Milk River basin area,

Alberta. The project started in 2002 and was funded by various organizations like the

Government of Canada Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, the Alberta Fish and Wildlife

Species at Risk Program and the Alberta Conservation Association (Quinlan et al. 2003). This

program became successful and looked feasible for drainage basin landscape. As a result, in

2003, because of the status of various species at risk and threats to the headwater regions of

Oldman River, another multispecies program was started by the same organizations (Blouin,

2004).

The main objective of the multispecies program is to manage the landscape in a way to conserve

several species in various stages at risk as well as provide long term sustainability of these

species. But different programs have their own specific goals and objectives. Following the

Multi-species Conservation Strategy for Milk River Basin (MULTISAR) and Southern

Headwater at Risk Project (SHARP), the common primary goals and objectives of a multispecies

conservation strategy are (Quinlan et al. 2003, Blouin, 2004):

1. Identifying and gathering information of the species at various levels of risk at the project

area.

2. Developing a list of focal species for the project.

3. Identifying the habitat association of species at risk and developing Habitat Suitability Index

model.

4. Developing a map of relative habitat suitability for every focal species of the landscape

5. Developing a summary of important management techniques for the focal species.

6. Evaluating management practices for their relative value in making habitat for species at risk.

7. Identifying high priority areas and providing particular conservation and stewardship

recommendations of the project area.

8. Reporting results to the involved organizations and involved communities periodically.

9. Facilitating partnership in gaining conservation and sustainability of species at risk through

voluntary stewardship program.

Benefits of multi-species conservation strategies over single-species plans:

Multi-species conservation strategies help in increasing ecosystem stability of a

landscape. Since, various species are managed in such approaches, it increases the

species diversity as well as functional diversity that helps in increasing ecosystem

stability of that landscape.

In multispecies conservation strategies, various new management approaches may b

applied which is experimental. So, in such cases, it would have been more risky in single

species conservation plan since the experimental technique may not be responded by

certain species. But in multispecies programs, there is less chance of complete failure of

any project. Techniques failing to accomplish an intended results for some species may

bring tremendous outcomes for other species.

Managing different single species conservation programs rather than multispecies

conservation programs is more time and cost consuming. It requires more funding, more

time and much more physical and mental effort to accomplish different single species

programs. Therefore, multispecies conservation programs are more time and cost

effective compare to single species programs.

Sometimes one or two species can be attacked by insect or diseases. In such cases, in

single species plans, there is a high chance to fail the whole program as insects are easily

susceptible to same species. But multispecies conservation programs will be more

capable of handling such situation.

Numerous partner organizations and their funding are required to accomplish a

management program and different organizations have different conservation objectives.

Multispecies conservation strategies help in fulfilling a number of objectives related with

these organizations.

Multispecies conservation strategies are the examples of effective utilization of landscape,

money, mental and physical efforts. These programs are found to be successful in Alberta and

can be applied by other provinces of Canada.

References:

Blouin, F. 2004. The southern headwaters at risk project: A multi-species conservation strategy

for the headwaters of the Oldman River. Volume 1: Introduction and natural processes. Alberta

Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Report

No. 89, Edmonton, AB.

Caro, T. M., and G. O'Doherty. 1999. On the use of surrogate species in conservation biology.

Conservation Biology 13: 805-814.

Lambeck, R. J. 1997. Focal species: a multi-species umbrella for nature conservation.

Conservation Biology 11: 849-856.

Quinlan, R. W., B. A. Downey, Taylor, P. F. Jones, and T. B. Clayton (eds). 2003. A multi-

species conservation strategy for species at risk in the Milk River basin: year 1 progress report.

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk

Report No. 72, Edmonton, AB.

Discuss 2 case studies of multi-species conservation strategies in other parts of the world.

One of these should be Alberta’s MULTISAR program

There are several examples of various multi-species conservation strategies in the world.

Alberta's MULTISAR program and United State's Lower Colorado River Multi-Species

Conservation Program are the two successful programs of them.

MULTISAR, Alberta

MULTISAR is the short form of ''Multiple species at risk'' program in Alberta with various

partner organizations like Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Sustainable Resource

Development, the Prairie Conservation Forum etc. MULTISAR works for conserving the habitat

of species at risk of plants and wildlife in the grassland natural region and takes steps in building

awareness among the landholders about these species (Alberta Conservation Association).

The major components of MULTISAR are (according to MULTISAR, 2014, P: 1):

1. Developing habitat conservation strategies to use as management tool by the MULTISAR

team with the help of landholders in order to manage their lands.

2. Raising awareness and providing education are activities which offer Beneficial management

practices for various species, annual Grassland Gazette, and various presentations to the general

people.

3. Research, monitoring and evaluation of management practices which involves monitoring

habitat improvement every year or every two years and evaluating the habitat conservation

strategies every five years for determining positive and negative impacts as well as managing

adjustment.

MULTISAR is a successful teamwork accomplished by collaboration of government, non-

government and landholders. MULTISAR promoted stewardship activities in Milk river basin

and surrounding area, through voluntary engagement of surrounding landholders of both public

and private lands, to develop and apply habitat conservation strategies for multiple species at

risk. It also performs free land assessment of the landholders interested in the conservation of

species at risk in order to maintain the habitat for these species (Alberta Conservation

Association). In addition, MULTISAR delivers "Species at Risk Conservation Plan" in the

grassland natural regions of Alberta (MULTISAR, 2014).

Habitat Conservation Strategies

Habitat Conservation Strategy (HCS) team is formed with the participation of landholders, as

well as both government and non-government agencies, and members from all the MULTISAR

partners and the other organizations that are related with the property. The MULTISAR HCS

team's objective is to have a detailed inventories of the landholders' range, wildlife and managing

suitable habitat for the species at risk (Alberta Conservation Association). The team works

together in order to get a healthy rangelands and better habitats for fish and wildlife by

providing grazing recommendations and running various habitat improvement projects

(MULTISAR, 2014).

According to the MULTISAR report (2014), until 2013, the team has completed 26 HCSs on

277,546 acres of land within the Milk River, Pakowki and St. Mary’s Basins and the strategies

include detailed wildlife, range and riparian inventories. The team cautiously addressed the

multiple species at risk in these areas and delivered specific recommendations in order to habitat

management as well as improvement (Alberta Conservation Association).

Species At Risk Conservation Plans

In 2007, under the MULTISAR program, species at risk conservation plans (SARC) were

introduced as an extended form of MULTISAR HCS. SARCs are more concentrated version of

HCSs and were applied throughout the entire grassland regions the adjacent rocky mountain as

well as the parkland natural regions. The MULTISAR SARC program is divided into these six

steps (MULTISAR, 2014, P 12): 1) identifying priority lands, 2) contacting with landholders 3)

having initial background research, 4) on-spot habitat assessment, 5) development as well as

delivering SARC Plans and 6) following up.

Since 2007, SARC Plan program has been completed 78 assessments with a total area of 149,944

acres throughout the grassland natural regions. In 2013, MULTISAR has assessed 160 acres of

land for SARC plan and recommended beneficial management plans for several species like

raptors, grassland birds and amphibians. Several types of habitat improvement programs were

developed as well as monitored by the SARC plan co-operator throughout the year. These

programs included fencing projects for various riparian and wetlands, nesting for hawks,

shelterbelt fencing, making artificial burrows and developing portable watering unit

(MULTISAR, 2014).

Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, USA

Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP), a partnership of

federal and non-federal stakeholders, is a coordinated effort with multiple partner organizations

with the intention of protecting species and their habitats of the Lower Colorado River regions

(Southern Nevada Water Authority). LCP works for protecting the species listed under the

Endangered Species Act at present as well as reduces species addition to the list (LCR MSCP,

2014). Its steering committee includes Arizona Participant Group with 26 permittees, California

Participant Group with 11 permittees, Navana Participant Group with 5 Permittees, Native

American group and so on (John Swett, Bureau Of Reclamation). This program has a long-term

plan of 50 years for conserving at least 26 species along the Lower Colorado River through Lake

Mead to the Southerly International Boundary with Mexico for implementing of a Habitat

Conservation Plan (HCP) (Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, 2015).

The main objectives of LCR MSCP are (John Swett, Bureau of Reclamation):

Conservation of species habitat as well as threatened and endangered species and

reduction of the probability of species addition to the list.

Accommodating present water diversions and power production and making possibilities

for future water and power development.

"Providing the basis for incidental take authorizations" (John Swett, Bureau of

Reclamation, P: 4)

LCR MSCP restoration activities include conserving and maintaining the existing habitat, special

maintenance for important habitat areas, introducing and preserving new habitats for important

species. The conservation programs covers 1,352 acres of a cottonwood-willow-honey mesquite

area through 200 acres of marsh as well as 15 acres of backwater of native fish. The conservation

area includes Beal lake conservation area, Big bend conservation area, Cibola valley

conservation area, Hunters hole, Yuma east wetlands etc (LCR MSCP, 2014).

This program also executed fisheries programs to conserve the federally endangered fishes along

the Lower Colorado River. And the conservation effort includes several components like fish

augmentation, system monitoring, and species research. It is estimated that a total number of

273,813 razorback sucker and bonytail fish stock has been found in the Lower Colorado River

from 2005 to 2013 which is a great augmentation (LCR MSCP, 2014).

The wildlife program is designed to provide information about conservation and to monitor

several species as well as to provide management recommendations after incorporating the

outcomes of observation. The program has listed 22 species in order to manage their habitats.

The species include five terrestrial riparian birds, three marsh birds, two reptiles, three

amphibians, three small rodents, four bats and one insect (LCR MSCP, 2014).

This program is found to be successfully reducing the possibility of additional species from

being listed.

References

Alberta Conservation Association. (URL: http://www.ab-

conservation.com/go/default/index.cfm/programs/wildlife/wildlife-projects/multisar/overview/)

Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP): Balancing Resource

Use and Conservation. 2014. (URL: http://www.lcrmscp.gov/general_program.html)

Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, 2015. Draft Implementation

Report, Fiscal Year 2016 Work Plan and Budget, Fiscal Year 2014 Accomplishment Report. :

http://www.lcrmscp.gov/workplans/imp_2016_draft.pdf

MULTISAR. 2014. MULTISAR: A Multi-Species Conservation Strategy for Species at Risk in

the Grassland Natural Region of Alberta 2013-2014 Report. Alberta Environment and

Sustainable Resource Development, Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 152, Edmonton, AB. 60

pp.+ Appendix

Southern Nevada Water Authority. (URL:

http://www.snwa.com/env/stewardship_multispecies.html)

John Swett, Program Manager. LCR MSCP. Bureau Of Reclamation Boulder City, Nevada,

USA. (URL: http://www.ibwc.state.gov/Files/CF_CR_LCR_MSCP_090110.pdf)

Which principles from these strategies should be considered in conserving multiple species

at risk in Manitoba?

The natural grasslands of Canadian prairies have evolved over thousands of years extending the

southern part of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Naturally, these grasslands are hardy,

drought resistant but extremely adjusted to the climate for the past 50 million years (Bailey et al.

2010). These grasslands are home to a large number of endangered species in Canada

(MULTISAR, 2014). These grassland areas (both upland and wetlands) are the natural grazing

habitat for wildlife like bison, horses, and wild camels as well as nesting cover for waterfowl and

song birds. These grassland areas also supports a large number of predators, small mammals,

birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, arthropods, and micro-organisms providing their preferred

habitat (Bailey et al. 2010).

Since Alberta and Manitoba contains the same type of grasslands as well as floral and faunal

species, Manitoba can follow the management strategies as well as principles of programs which

are found to be successful in Alberta. MULTISAR Alberta project showed some productive

results regarding habitat management of several endangered species both in grassland and

wetland basin of the rivers.

The principles Manitoba can adopt from MULTISAR programs are:

MULTISAR project started with the main objective of recovery of the species at risk in

2002. A large number of government and non-government organizations were involved

with the project which helped the project to run smoothly for a long time since funding is

an important issue. Every partner organization had their own aims and objectives

regarding various species at risk and it helped the program to make a productive results

regarding all kind of species in a large extent.

The first step of MULTISAR program was to determine the occurrences and distribution

of species at risk in the Milk river basin area, not the whole project area. This exercise

was followed by reviewing to fill the data gaps. This inventory helped the program to

prioritize a number of species and to focus on their restoration. I think Manitoba can

follow this principle as their first step of multiple species conservation program.

Several initiatives were taken to increase landholders' awareness of species at risk and

their habitat management. MULTISAR arranged a two day school program for women in

order to introduce them with multiple species, succession planning, wildlife and ranching,

use of watering system etc. Manitoba is a province in which a good number of people

came from developing countries who have little or no idea about species management or

its importance. I think, weekly school programs about biodiversity management or

multiple species management would be an excellent approach to involve people in the

management program.

Habitat conservation strategies (HCS) were applied to maintain and enhance wildlife

habitat for species at risk. HCS team worked together with the landholders to balance the

needs for healthy rangelands and improved habitat for fish and other wildlife and

provided recommendations for project improvement every year. This strategy will also

very useful for Manitoba to apply.

Manitoba can apply the extended strategy of HCS named Species at Risk Conservation

(SARC) Plan. It consisted of several steps including identifying priority lands, contacting

with the landholders for land management program, plan development and

implementation etc. Beneficial Management Practices were applied on those lands to

manage the habitat for species at risk. Beneficial Management Projects (BMP) are the

initiatives that help the program decreasing the likelihood of species at risk to disappear

from certain landscape.

The MULTISAR team makes a detailed conversation with the landholders before the

Beneficial Management Programs to make sure about their goals and priorities so that the

team can fulfill all of the stakeholders' goals and avoid conflicts. This is also a very

important strategy Manitoba can practise in programs of managing multiple species at

risk.

References:

Bailey, A. W., McCartney, D., Schellenberg, M. P. 2010. Management of Canadian Prairie

Rangeland. Agriculture and Agri-food, Canada.

MULTISAR. 2014. MULTISAR: A Multi-Species Conservation Strategy for Species at Risk in

the Grassland Natural Region of Alberta 2013-2014 Report. Alberta Environment and

Sustainable Resource Development, Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 152, Edmonton, AB. 60

pp.+ Appendix.

Quinlan, R. W., B. A. Downey, Taylor, P. F. Jones, and T. B. Clayton (eds). 2003. A multi-

species conservation strategy for species at risk in the Milk River basin: year 1 progress report.

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk

Report No. 72, Edmonton, AB.

What Manitoban species at risk should be encompassed by this conservation strategy?

(optional: focus on SW Manitoba rather than all of Manitoba). Describe the natural history

of each species and their conservation status (e.g. population trends etc) in 2-3 paragraphs

per species. Should include 4-8 species.

Multispecies conservation strategies generally consider all the species at risk to manage in a way

to maintain their long-term sustainability as well as to reduce the probability of other species

from being listed. And according to Manitoba’s Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act,

species are legally designated in of the four categories: Extirpated, Threatened, Endangered and

Special Concern (Manitoba species at risk). Since the Extirpated species is the disappeared

species from Manitoba, therefore, all the species listed as "Endangered, Threatened and Special

concern" should be included in the priority list of any conservation strategy program. Baird's

sparrow, Canada warbler, Burrowing owl, Ferruginous hawk, Chimney swift, Polar bear are

some of the examples of endangered and threatened species which should be considered in

multispecies management programs.

Natural history of some endangered species and their conservation status:

Burrowing owl (Scientific name: Athene cunicularia)

According to Manitoba Species at Risk, Burrowing owl is a grassland bird, which is provincially

and nationally endangered. Though, most commonly, they use the pasture lands of Manitoba as

their habitat, they used to be found nesting in ditches, croplands, golf courses as well as on

manicured lawns. They are mostly found in prairies of western North America and some parts of

South America. In Canada, historically, Burrowing owls were found in southern Manitoba, north

to Dauphin and the Interlake and east to Winnipeg as well as in Regina, Saskatchewan to Brooks,

Alberta. But now they are commonly seen only in the extreme south-western corner of Manitoba

and are rarely seen in north and eastern parts (Manitoba species at risk).

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has listed Burrowing

owl as Endangered in Canada. It is also listed as Endangered in Manitoba's Endangered Species

Act and is considered as protected under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. Manitoba

Conservation Data Centre has ranked this species as very rare but Nature Serve has regarded it as

secure. In Manitoba, the number of breeding pairs of this species has been reducing for a long

time. Recently, it is estimated to be less than ten breeding pairs in Manitoba (Manitoba species at

risk).

Various causes are responsible for the decreased number of Burrowing owl. These causes

include loss of habitat due to urbanization and agricultural expansion, inadequate prey

abundance due to pest control. Their productivity is also decreasing because of predation by

snakes, owls, hawks, badgers, skunks, foxes, weasels, cats and dogs (Manitoba species at risk).

Baird’s sparrow (Scientific name: Ammodramus bairdii)

The very shy and inconspicuous Baird's sparrow is an Endangered grassland bird which normally

uses the Canadian prairies and the northern Great Plains for their breeding. They are found

primarily in mixed grass prairies or in lightly grazed pastures in Manitoba. Since the bird is very

shy, it normally occurs in idle areas where conditions are dry or the vegetation is sparse.

Historically, this bird used to be very common in south-western Manitoba throughout east to

Winnipeg and north to Swan River. But because of the change of prairie lands into agricultural

lands throughout southern Manitoba, this species is now hardly found outside the extreme south-

western side of Manitoba (Manitoba species at risk).

NatureServe has declared the species as abundant and globally secure. According to Manitoba's

Endangered Species Act, this species was listed endangered in 1996. Like Burrowing owl, it is

also protected in Canada under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. In 1989, the

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has declared the

species as threatened. The species is considered rare to uncommon by the Manitoba

Conservation Data Centre (Manitoba species at risk).

The conversion of native grassland and insecticide use are considered as the main cause of

Baird's sparrow's loss. In spite of the fact that this species population is declining range wide,

the species is still abundant to be considered secure worldwide (Manitoba species at risk).

Great Plains toad (Scientific name: Bufo cognatus)

Provincially threatened amphibian, the Great plains toad, is found in grasslands and dry brushy

areas of the central and southern parts of Canada to central Mexico. They need soft ground for

burrowing into during cold or dry period of time. Generally they breed in temporary water bodies

where water is only found in years with heavy spring or early summer rains. In 1983, this species

was first found in south-western Manitoba. It is commonly found in southern Manitoba,

Saskatchewan and Alberta, and from Iowa and Missouri, west to California and Nevada as well

as south to central Mexico (Manitoba species at risk).

Manitoba Conservation Data Center ranked the Great Plains toad as rare to uncommon species.

under Manitoba’s Endangered Species Act, it was listed Threatened in 2001 as well as is

considered as protected under Manitoba's Wildlife Act. The Committee on the Status of

Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has given a status of special concern to this species.

Though this species is found to be rare in Manitoba, Alberta as well as some American states, it

is still common in many areas and thus NatureServe regarded this species as secure (Manitoba

species at risk).

Piping plover (Scientific name: Charadrius melodus)

The Piping plover is provincially as well as nationally endangered bird. But it is found in many

states and provinces, even in Manitoba. Generally, this species arrives in Manitoba at its

breeding grounds in late April or May. In Canada, their breeding ground includes by the

lakeshores and saline wetlands of southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, along the

Atlantic shore, Lake of the Woods in north-western Ontario. In Manitoba, Piping plovers are

known to be found nesting in a systematic manner along beaches of Lake Winnipeg, Lake

Manitoba, West Shoal Lake, and sometimes along Oak Lake and Whitewater Lake (Manitoba

species at risk).

Manitoba Endangered Species Act and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in

Canada (COSEWIC) have ranked this species as Endangered. In United States, this species It is

listed under the Endangered Species Act, in many provincial and state endangered species acts

as well. The federal Migratory Birds Convention Act considers the species as protected.

Manitoba Conservation Data Centre listed the species as rare in Manitoba. the Association for

Biodiversity Information has also considered the species as uncommon worldwide. Excessive

human use of beaches is considered as one of the main reasons of their habitat loss and therefore

reduction in their number. Extreme high or low water level is also considered as a cause of their

habitat loss (Manitoba species at risk).

Reference:

Manitoba species at risk. (URL: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildlife/sar/sarlist.html)

What are some potential conflicts in terms of habitat needs that might be faced when trying

to conserve these diverse species? (e.g., differences in habitat preferences). What might be

feasible approaches for meeting the needs of these diverse species?

Multispecies conservation strategies are programs in which different government and non-

government partner organizations are involved in order to increase long-term sustainability of

populations of species at risk as well as save the other species from being listed. Since various

partner organizations are involved in such programs, each and every organization have their own

aims and objectives. Moreover, different management approaches are needed for improving

habitats of different species. Therefore, sometimes, to fulfill a number of requirements for

various species in the same landscape, conflicts may arise in terms of habitat needs. For example,

heavier grazing are recommended for Burrowing owl for nesting their habitat which may have

negative impacts for other species like Baird's sparrow who needs lighter grazing for their habitat

(Alberta Conservation Association). In managing habitats for multiple species, the team should

have the concern of species' prey-predator relationship. For example, in saving the habitats for

both Burrowing owl and Ferruginous hawk in the same site may have negative impacts for

Burrowing owl (Innovation Alberta). Because managing a Burrowing owl's habitat next to the

habitat of Ferruginous hawk is similar to make an area for the Ferruginous hawk to hunt a

burrowing owl (Innovation Alberta). Before habitat management for a species, it should be

confirmed that the other landholders or farmers will not be hampered in any way by these

species. Ferruginous hawk lives on birds, mammals as well as other insects and we know that a

large number of insects are beneficial for agriculture. Therefore, habitat management for such

species may have a conflict between the landowners and team members of the program.

Feasible approaches for meeting the needs of these diverse species:

1. Priority should be given to higher recommended species for example Endangered and

Threatened over the additional species present in the landscape.

2. Multiple species should be prioritized over single species. For example, if in any landscape,

there are a number of species who needs lighter grazing for their habitat, they should be

prioritized over a single species like Burrowing Owl that needs heavier grazing.

3. If there is a prey-predator relationship between two endangered/ threatened species, their

habitat should not be managed in the same site so that both of their habitat as well as population

can be managed. For instance, if habitat for Ferruginous hawk is managed in one side of a ranch

in any landscape, habitat for Burrowing owl can be managed on the other part of the ranch.

4. In habitat management of a certain species, the multispecies conservation team should be

careful about the other species present there. For example, if a species like Burrowing owl is to

manage, they should confirm that its predator species are not very common in the same site.

5. Before conserving any species, the program team should have a detailed conversation with the

adjacent landowners about the possible positive as well as negative impacts.

6. Regular monitoring and recommendations are needed to identify various species' habitat

conflicts.

7. Program team members should take steps regarding predator control for managing habitat for

species at risk.

Reference:

Alberta Conservation Association. (URL: http://www.multisar.ca/species-at-risk/beneficial-

management-practices-bmps/)

Innovation Alberta. (URL: http://www.innovationalberta.com/article.php?articleid=705)