POSTER ABSTRACT of:
Marcot, B. G.  1998.  Terrestrial biodiversity and ecological functions.  Poster presentation at:  Landscape management of Pacific Northwest forests: exploring practical tools for managers.  19-20 February 1998.  Olympia WA.
 

TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

MARCOT, BRUCE G.
USDA Forest Service
1221 SW Yamhill St., Suite 200
POB 3890
Portland OR, 97208-3890
503/808-2010 phone
503/808-2020 fax
brucem@SpiritOne.com

Abstract:
Results of an assessment of terrestrial biodiversity and ecological functions of species for the interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project are presented.  Total species biodiversity consists of an estimated 43,825 species of macro-organisms (but only 39% of these are known from surveys or studies).  These include an estimated 18,946 species of plants and allies, 24,270 invertebrates, and 609 vertebrates (vertebrates constitute only 1% of the total).  Most species, especially fungi and invertebrates, are unstudied.  Since historic times, wildlife species associated with native grasslands, native shrublands, and old single- and multi-layer forests have declined the most within the study area.  Those associated with young successional stages of forests, conifer- encroached sagebrush, and disturbed riparian conditions have increased the most.  Findings suggest that key factors to address in ecosystem management are:  (1) maintaining all key ecological functions of species as affecting biodiversity, productivity, and sustainability of ecosystems; (2) providing all key environmental correlates--habitats and other factors that influence species viability--for maintaining species at risk; (3) providing for viability and ecological functions of all life forms--fungi, lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates; (4) maintaining conditions that allow for evolutionary potential of species and ecological integrity of ecosystems; (5) using selected bioindicators for monitoring changes in environmental conditions; (6) maintaining concentration centers and hot spots of biodiversity and species rarity and endemism.

POSTER HANDOUT:

TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

Author:  Bruce G. Marcot
USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, 1221 SW Yamhill, Portland OR 97208

Lessons for managing ecosystems -- The following might provide a checklist for key factors to address in an ecosystem management
 

  •   maintain all key ecological functions of species as affecting diversity, productivity, and sustainability of ecosystems
  •   provide all key environmental correlates--habitats and other factors that influence species viability--for maintaining species at risk,
  •   provide for viability and ecological functions of all life forms--fungi, lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, invertebrates (including insects and other arthropods, mollusks, and others), and vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals)
  •   maintain conditions that allow for evolutionary potential of species and ecological integrity of terrestrial ecosystems
  •   use selected "bioindicators" for monitoring and further research needs
  •   maintain concentration centers and hot spots of biodiversity and species rarity and endemism by: maintaining environmental conditions and natural disturbance regimes; realigning some natural areas to better coincide with these centers; protecting type locations of rare plants and invertebrates; and protecting unique plant communities


    • Habitat changes -- Wildlife species associated with native grasslands, native shrublands, and old single- and multi-layer forests have declined the most within the basin assessment area.  Those associated with young successional stages of forests, conifer-encroached sagebrush, and disturbed riparian conditions, have increased in total area and distribution since historic times.

    Patterns of biodiversity -- Total biological diversity ("biodiversity") consists of an estimated 43,825 species of macro-organisms (but only 39% of these are known from surveys or studies).  These include an estimated 18,946 species of plants and allies, 24,270 species of invertebrates, and 609 species of vertebrates.  Vertebrates constitute only one percent.  Also present are hundreds of thousands of species of micro-organisms, including soil bacteria, protozoa, microfungi, and other species critical to ecosystem health and productivity.  Most species are unstudied, especially plants and invertebrates.

    Species databases and models -- We evaluated a total of 14,028 species and included 1,339 species and 143 species groups in a species-environment relations (SER) database.  The SER database includes depictions of each species' key environmental correlates and key ecological functions.  We mapped the locations of several hundred species of rare plants, and the distribution of over 550 species of animals.

    Hot spots -- We mapped numerous concentration centers, and 19 particularly hot spots, of high biodiversity and species rarity and endemism.

    Species' evolutionary potential -- The science team recognized that maintaining the evolutionary potential of species is one important aspect of ecosystem management.  Species evolutionary potential--not just short-term persistence of species--can be maintained in part by maintaining:

  •   the full array of environments and habitats for all native and desired species
  •   long-term viability particularly of all at-risk species of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates
  •   habitats at the geographic edges of species' distributions
  •   environments at the edges of species' range of tolerance (especially upper elevations to provide for dispersal corridors in the face of regional climate change)
  •   locally and regionally endemic species (species found nowhere else)
  •   locally endemic subspecies and ecotypes (unique, local variations of species)
  •   cryptic or sibling species complexes (these are species recently evolved that still appear nearly identical)
  •   polymorphic populations (where individuals vary systematically in appearance)
  •   genetic diversity of naturally-diverse populations, and genetic exchange among naturally- connected populations
  •   naturally disjunct (separated and isolated) populations


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    Presented at:  Workshop on Landscape Management of Pacific Northwest Forests: Exploring Practical Tools for Managers, 18-20 February 1998, Olympia, Washington.