Conserving Freshwater Biodiversity in U. S. Protected Areas - Management Intervention and the RAD Framework

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Environmental Management

Background:

• Protected areas are crucial for biodiversity conservation but have underperformed in preserving freshwater biodiversity.
• Freshwater ecosystems face degradation from human activities and climate change, challenging conservation efforts.
• Existing protected area management often overlooks the unique needs of freshwater environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of protected areas in conserving freshwater biodiversity in the United States.
• To introduce and apply the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework for managing freshwater biodiversity under ecological transformation.
• To provide a foundation for managers to formally integrate the RAD framework into protected area strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of federally protected areas in the United States.
• Recasting historical and current management approaches through the lens of the RAD framework (Resist-Accept-Direct).
• Analysis of how management strategies address freshwater biodiversity loss within protected areas.

Main Results:

• Protected areas show varied success in supporting freshwater biodiversity.
• Elements of the RAD framework are already implicitly or explicitly used in current management practices.
• The RAD framework provides a structured way to evaluate and guide management decisions for freshwater biodiversity.

Conclusions:

• The RAD framework can help balance conservation goals with protected area mandates amidst environmental change.
• Formal application of the RAD framework can enhance the management of freshwater biodiversity in protected areas.
• Integrating the RAD framework is essential for safeguarding freshwater biodiversity and its associated values for future generations.