wood frog

Conserving vernal pools and other wetland resources through coupling natural and human systems

January 5, 2016 Research Programs, Wildlife

Vernal pool conservation strategies that incorporate the best available science and social and economic needs of Maine citizens. Since the passing Significant Vernal Pool regulation in Maine in 2007, there has been a political backlash to dismantle all regulations associated with Significant Wildlife Habitats. In particular, in developing landscapes, vernal pool resources are rapidly disappearing or being degraded. The potential loss or degradation of this resource has both ecological and economic implications that would be deleterious to both human and wildlife populations. Landowner anger over regulations in general that do not address economic impacts has been focused on vernal pools. This provides us with the opportunity to demonstrate how science and human needs can be married to strengthen both the ecological and socio-economic integrity (sustainability) of Maine communities. This project will use a coupled natural-human systems approach to demonstrate how science tailored by biophysical region can be used to develop flexible, alternative strategies to natural resource conservation on private lands in collaboration with researchers, regulators, and citizens. This project will result in implementation of innovative pool conservation strategies in two model towns in Maine that will serve as templates for other political entities wishing to steward natural resources locally for the benefit of their communities. We will compare the economic and ecological outcomes on a subset of municipalities under existing regulations to outcomes under the innovative management scenario to look at short-term socio-economic and ecological differences. Long-term outcomes will be tested using an experimental approach being developed in an NSF Coupled Natural Human Systems proposal being submitted in November 2012.

Investigators: Calhoun, A.; Loftin, C.; Bell, K.; Hunter, M.

Unit: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology

Termination Date: 30-Sep-17