Indicator Relationships: A Conceptual ModelForest Amount
Indicators 1 & 2
Spatial Arrangement
Indicator 5
Protected Status
Indicators 3 & 4
Distribution & Abundance of Spp
Range / Population Trends
Indicators 8 & 9
Indicators 6 & 7
Rarity & Extinction
6. Species richness
7. Conservation status
8. Range reduction
9. Population trends
Bird
sM
amm
alsAm
phib
ians
Rept
iles
Fish
Inve
rtsPl
ants
O
ther
Indicator
XXIX
IXXX I
Data Status -- Spatial
XII
XI
XI I I I
I
I
I
X - relatively complete I - incomplete
I
6. Species richness
7. Conservation status
8. Range reduction
9. Population trends
Bird
sM
amm
alsAm
phib
ians
Rept
iles
Fish
Inve
rtsPl
ants
O
ther
Indicator
XI
X
Data Status -- Temporal
I
I
I I I I
I
I
X - relatively complete I - incomplete
Indicator Adequacy (Flather and Riitters 2004)
• Do trends have an unambiguous interpretation?; Is the response predictable?
• Is there an empirical basis for the indicator rationale?
• Has a standard for comparison been defined?
• Are thresholds known?; How much is enough?
• Is the indicator sensitive?; Does it provide an early warning?
6. Species richness
7. Conservation status
8. Range reduction
9. Population trends
Unam
bigu
ous
Empi
rical
bas
isSt
anda
rdTh
resh
oldSe
nsitiv
e
Indicator
Indicator Adequacy (6-9)
√√
√√√
√√√
√
√ - Yes
?
? – Weak or uncertain
?
Species/Genetic Diversity -- Indicators 6-9Refinement Needs
• Test existing indicator set
Bird Richness Trends1975-1999
Species/Genetic Diversity -- Indicators 6-9Refinement Needs
• Define sustainability standards / thresholds for interpretation
1.00.90.80.70.60.50.40.30.20.10.0
0 10 20 30 40 50Habitat Amount
VeeryA
vera
ge O
ccup
ancy
60 70 80 90 100
Evidence of threshold behavior
Criterion 1 – General Refinement Need
• Test existing indicator set
Ecosystem Behavior Under StressS
tress
or
Nutrientpool Productivity
Speciesdiversity
Indicators
PollutionTA
ExoticsTA
Extremeevents
TA
ResourceExtraction
TA
–*
–*
––
–+
–+
––
**
**
**
–*
–*
––
Rapport et al. 1985. Am Nat
T = terrestrialA = aquatic
+ positive– negative
* uncertain
Summary: Stakeholder Thoughtson Refinement (Indicators 6-9)
Wording Issues Indicator Additions Indicator Deletions
- native species
- forest-dependent
- functional diversity
- exotics
- combine 6&7
- genetic indicators