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Threats to Targets Download
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The purpose of this section is to identify and describe the direct threats to the health and viability of the stated conservation targets. It may also be helpful to identify which conservation targets are impacted by which threats for a different perspective.
Questions to Answer:
When writing this section, answer the following questions:
• What are the most prominent threats to the viability and health of the identified conservation targets?
• What are the sources of those threats?
• What are the impacts of those threats on the conservation targets?
• Which threats impact each target?
Resources:
Invasive Species Information:
Plants
Animals
Example:
The most prominent threats to the viability and health of the conservation targets for the site are those arising from residential
development of the area. As the Green Bay metropolitan area grows, and as agricultural production becomes less economically viable, the open acres of farmland in eastern Brown County are more attractive to developers and homebuyers. The resulting patchwork of development has multiple cascading effects on the species and natural communities of the site.
Increased impervious surfaces – driveways, roads, roofs, parking lots – reduce infiltration of precipitation and runoff into the ground. This alters the hydrology of a watershed, changing stream flows, water temperature and flood cycles. Stormwater runoff moves across the landscape more quickly, and brings with it more toxins accumulated from the paved surfaces. The impact of a single home and driveway is minimal, but the combined impact of a subdivision or strip mall development can radically alter many facets of stream ecology.
Habitat loss and fragmentation – Developed land has a direct impact on species habitat through the loss of acreage. In addition, the scattered nature of development breaks up formerly contiguous habitats, resulting in smaller, isolated parcels. This has two negative results; first, it decreases or eliminates the ability of individuals of a population from moving across their full habitat, and second, many species which are area-sensitive can no longer survive on the smaller parcels, even when they contain appropriate habitat.
Septic systems and wells – Increased development requires more water withdrawals via wells, reducing groundwater resources which in turn affects stream flows. Development also requires more septic fields. Poorly maintained or inadequately abandoned wells and septic systems can reduce groundwater quality.
In-stream development – Channelization, streambank riprap, and culverts are often associated with both residential development and agricultural operations. These modifications destroy and degrade steam habitats, and fragment remaining habitat.
Other threats were also identified. In some cases, these are associated with development but not directly.
Invasive exotic species – Invasive species include plants and animals which are non-native to the region and which outcompete native species for resources. Left alone, these species can take over entire habitats, resulting in a monotypic environment unsuited for other wildlife. In this region, invasives of concern are:
purple loosestrif
garlic
mustard
buckthorn
Deer browse – High populations of whitetail deer in the area, combined with shrinking habitat for those deer, has resulted in overbrowsing of native vegetation. Deer browse can dramatically curtail regeneration of certain plant species, and reduces the biodiversity of an area.
Lack of information about
species and natural communities – Many of the conservation targets identified for this site are lacking adequate inventories and location mapping. Without knowledge about the current population size, geographic location and health of these targets, it is difficult to target conservation strategies designed to preserve or restore their status.
Lack of awareness of conservation
targets/low priority for conservation – The general public are not informed about the ecological significance of the area, the threats facing the region’s biodiversity and the need for conservation efforts. As a result, conservation and restoration are given low priority in local land use plans, and inadequately funded at the county level.
A list of threats by targets impacted (key threats in bold
italics):
Niagara escarpment:
• development
• quarrying
• wind farms
• logging
• septic systems
• invasive species
• lack of management/lack of fire
• fragmentation of habitat
• inappropriate agricultural practices
groundwater recharge areas:
• residential/commercial development
• increased impervious surfaces
• groundwater withdrawals via wells
• older septic systems and improperly abandoned wells contaminating groundwater
• lack of best management practices in agriculture
• lack of locational information about
recharge areas
• land use changes
trout stream:
• development
• agricultural
• nonpoint runoff
• channelizing and diverting flows
• residential/commercial
• increased impervious surfaces – changes in flow patterns
• culvert placements
• bank riprapping
• thermal changes from quarry overflows and loss of vegetative cover
• lack of management of in-stream debris
Point Comfort Woods:
• logging
• development – inadequate buffer between woods and residential areas
• invasive species
• deer browse
dwarf lake iris:
• development – loss of habitat
• lack of appropriate management of existing habitat
• deer browse
• invasive species – future concern, not present in iris habitat yet
Please contact Karen Bassler at karen [at] gatheringwaters.org or
608-251-9131 x12 with any questions about site conservation planning.
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