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Experts in ecology, sociology, and legal affairs will join natural
resource managers to discuss approaches to conservation of rare
and poorly known plants and animals. The symposium, Innovations
in Species Conservation: Integrative Approaches to Address Rarity
and Risk, takes place in the Oregon Convention Center in Portland
on April 28, 29, 30.
"There are hundreds of rare and little-known species that could
face extirpation because of diminishing habitat. Unfortunately,
we so poorly understand their ecologies and natural histories, that
it is very difficult to design conservation management plans to
protect them one species at a time," says Randy Molina, an
ecologist and forest mycology team leader with the U.S. Forest Service
Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station, who is helping plan the
symposium.
Multiple-species approaches may be efficient and lessen management
constraints, but the degree to which they protect individual species
rests more on speculation than on systematic testing. Multispecies
approaches also may be more susceptible to legal challenges due
to a low level of certainty regarding outcomes.
"We face a natural time lag between thinking about potential
innovations in plant and animal conservation and then integrating
tested innovations into standard use," explains David Busch
of the U.S. Geological Survey and member of the symposium planning
team. "We look forward to the symposium as a means of exchanging
valuable information about concepts, theories, and research findings
related to monitoring and managing rare or poorly known species.
Through forums like the upcoming symposium, advancement from ideas
to implementation is facilitated, as well as rejection of concepts
that may not prove suitable for implementation."
The keynote speaker is Judge Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary of
the Department of the Interior. Manson oversees the National Park
Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The symposium is
open to the public. Registration information can be found online
at http://outreach.cof.orst.edu/species/ or call the Outreach Education
Office, College of Forestry, Oregon State University at (541) 737-2329.
Co-hosts of the symposium are the PNW Research Station and Pacific
Northwest Region, USDA Forest Service; US Geological Survey, Bureau
of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of
the Interior; Oregon State University, The Nature Conservancy; and
the Society for Conservation Biology.
The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information
to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and
property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy,
and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.
To receive USGS news releases go to www.usgs.gov/public/list_server.html
The PNW Research Station provides scientific information to land
managers, policymakers, and citizens. Visit the station Web site
at www.fs.fed.us/pnw
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