Saving endangered species using adaptive management.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife Management

Background:

• Adaptive management offers a powerful approach to understanding complex ecosystems.
• Its application in endangered species recovery, however, remains infrequent.
• Woodland caribou, recently extirpated from the contiguous US, exemplify the challenges in large mammal conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the efficacy of adaptive management for recovering endangered woodland caribou populations.
• To address the limitations of solely relying on habitat protection and restoration for species recovery.
• To highlight the necessity of population management as an emergency measure.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a large-scale adaptive management plan covering over 90,000 km².
• Application of integrated treatments including predator reduction, prey management, translocations, and safe haven creation.
• Coordinated recovery efforts involving scientists, governments, and First Nations.

Main Results:

• Combinations of treatments targeting multiple vital rates significantly increased population growth.
• The extent of ecosystem alteration did not impede the effectiveness of these recovery strategies.
• Successful application of treatments across vast geographical scales.

Conclusions:

• Adaptive management, incorporating population interventions, is crucial for endangered species recovery, especially in highly altered landscapes.
• Integrated and large-scale management strategies are effective in boosting population growth for species like woodland caribou.
• Coordinated efforts among stakeholders are vital for successful conservation outcomes.