Structured decision making as a conservation tool for recovery planning of two endangered salamanders

Katy O'Donnell; Arianne F Messerman; William J. Barichivich; Raymond D. Semlitsch; Thomas A. Gorman; Harold G Mitchell; Nathan Allan; Dante B. Fenolio; Adam Green; Fred A. Johnson; Allison Keever; Mark Mandica; Julien Martin; Jana Mott; Terry Peacock; Joseph Reinman; Stephanie S. Romañach; Greg Titus; Conor P. McGowan; Susan C. Walls

doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2017.02.011

Structured decision making as a conservation tool for recovery planning of two endangered salamanders

Journal for Nature Conservation

By: Katy O'Donnell, Arianne F Messerman, William J. Barichivich, Raymond D. Semlitsch, Thomas A. Gorman, Harold G Mitchell, Nathan Allan, Dante B. Fenolio, Adam Green, Fred A. Johnson, Allison Keever, Mark Mandica, Julien Martin, Jana Mott, Terry Peacock, Joseph Reinman, Stephanie S. Romañach, Greg Titus, Conor P. McGowan, and Susan C. Walls

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2017.02.011

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Abstract

At least one-third of all amphibian species face the threat of extinction, and current amphibian extinction rates are four orders of magnitude greater than background rates. Preventing extirpation often requires both ex situ (i.e., conservation breeding programs) and in situ strategies (i.e., protecting natural habitats). Flatwoods salamanders (Ambystoma bishopi and A. cingulatum) are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The two species have decreased from 476 historical locations to 63 recently extant locations (86.8% loss). We suggest that recovery efforts are needed to increase populations and prevent extinction, but uncertainty regarding optimal actions in both ex situ and in situ realms hinders recovery planning. We used structured decision making (SDM) to address key uncertainties regarding both captive breeding and habitat restoration, and we developed short-, medium-, and long-term goals to achieve recovery objectives. By promoting a transparent, logical approach, SDM has proven vital to recovery plan development for flatwoods salamanders. The SDM approach has clear advantages over other previous approaches to recovery efforts, and we suggest that it should be considered for other complex decisions regarding endangered species.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Structured decision making as a conservation tool for recovery planning of two endangered salamanders
Series title	Journal for Nature Conservation
DOI	10.1016/j.jnc.2017.02.011
Volume	37
Year Published	2017
Language	English
Publisher	Elsevier
Contributing office(s)	Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description	7 p.
First page	66
Last page	72
Country	United States
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page