Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern

Abstract Impact assessments are a valuable tool for investigating the effects of human‐induced and natural perturbations on ecosystems and wildlife, including species of conservation concern. The breeding range of the golden‐cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), a federally endangered species, is...

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Main Authors: Mike E. Marshall, Ashley M. Long, Shannon L. Farrell, Heather A. Mathewson, Michael L. Morrison, Cal Newnam, R. Neal Wilkins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-09-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.179
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author Mike E. Marshall
Ashley M. Long
Shannon L. Farrell
Heather A. Mathewson
Michael L. Morrison
Cal Newnam
R. Neal Wilkins
author_facet Mike E. Marshall
Ashley M. Long
Shannon L. Farrell
Heather A. Mathewson
Michael L. Morrison
Cal Newnam
R. Neal Wilkins
author_sort Mike E. Marshall
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Impact assessments are a valuable tool for investigating the effects of human‐induced and natural perturbations on ecosystems and wildlife, including species of conservation concern. The breeding range of the golden‐cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), a federally endangered species, is located in a region with increasing development that includes housing, road construction and maintenance, and other land‐use conversions; along with wildfire, oak wilt, and other disturbances. Although many of these actions are assumed to have deleterious effects on warbler occurrence or fitness, there is limited research directly investigating impacts of these activities to date. Many of these threats cannot be investigated within a fully manipulative study framework because it is rarely possible or even appropriate to replicate treatments. We conducted impact assessment studies investigating the effects of military training and highway construction on the warbler. We use these studies to provide examples that demonstrate how common challenges in investigating impacts can be addressed during planning and implementation by using alternative study design and sampling strategies to effectively assess the impact of perturbations on species of interest. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
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spelling doaj-art-432ad3175ac2440698f89350225c9b7a2024-12-16T11:30:52ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402012-09-0136345045610.1002/wsb.179Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concernMike E. Marshall0Ashley M. Long1Shannon L. Farrell2Heather A. Mathewson3Michael L. Morrison4Cal Newnam5R. Neal Wilkins6Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USAInstitute of Renewable Natural Resources, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USAInstitute of Renewable Natural Resources, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USATexas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 15426, Austin, TX 78761, USAInstitute of Renewable Natural Resources, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USAAbstract Impact assessments are a valuable tool for investigating the effects of human‐induced and natural perturbations on ecosystems and wildlife, including species of conservation concern. The breeding range of the golden‐cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), a federally endangered species, is located in a region with increasing development that includes housing, road construction and maintenance, and other land‐use conversions; along with wildfire, oak wilt, and other disturbances. Although many of these actions are assumed to have deleterious effects on warbler occurrence or fitness, there is limited research directly investigating impacts of these activities to date. Many of these threats cannot be investigated within a fully manipulative study framework because it is rarely possible or even appropriate to replicate treatments. We conducted impact assessment studies investigating the effects of military training and highway construction on the warbler. We use these studies to provide examples that demonstrate how common challenges in investigating impacts can be addressed during planning and implementation by using alternative study design and sampling strategies to effectively assess the impact of perturbations on species of interest. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.179endangered speciesgolden‐cheeked warblerhighway constructionimpact assessmentmilitary trainingmitigation
spellingShingle Mike E. Marshall
Ashley M. Long
Shannon L. Farrell
Heather A. Mathewson
Michael L. Morrison
Cal Newnam
R. Neal Wilkins
Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern
Wildlife Society Bulletin
endangered species
golden‐cheeked warbler
highway construction
impact assessment
military training
mitigation
title Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern
title_full Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern
title_fullStr Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern
title_full_unstemmed Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern
title_short Using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern
title_sort using impact assessment study designs for addressing impacts to species of conservation concern
topic endangered species
golden‐cheeked warbler
highway construction
impact assessment
military training
mitigation
url https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.179
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