TNC – EPA Threats Workshop

Taxonomy of Threats

December 5-6, 2005

Outline – Common Threat Taxonomy

• Need for a common taxonomy• Ideal criteria for a common taxonomy• History of TNC & CMP work on

common threat taxonomy• Current uses of the taxonomy• Next steps

Can We Develop Conventions to Describe Threats in Conservation?

• Framework for defining threats• Taxonomy for naming threats• System for measuring the magnitude

of threats• Procedure for combining threats• Method for spatial mapping of threats

There are at least 5 conventions needed:

Nomenclature and Measurements are the Foundation of Any Science

Threat Conventions PaperDefining “Direct Threats”

System / Target(freshwater stream)

Stress(sedimentation)

Source of Stress(livestock grazing)

Target(freshwater stream)

Direct Threat(livestock grazing)

Indirect Threat(grazing policies)

Pressure / Threat(livestock grazing)

Underlying Cause(grazing policies)

TNC 5-SFramework

FOSFramework

WWF RAPPAMFramework

ProposedConvention

Direct Threat(livestock grazing)

Underlying Cause(grazing policies)

Stress(sedimentation)

Threats

State(freshwater stream)

Target(freshwater stream)

Source(livestock grazing)

Stressor(sedimentation)

Assmnt Endpoint(freshwater stream)

EPA RiskAssessment

Measure of Effect(impaired habitat)

CAP

Criteria for the IdealThreats Taxonomy

• Hierarchical – Creates a logical way of grouping threats that are related to one another.

• Comprehensive – Covers all possible threats (at least at higher levels of the hierarchy).

• Consistent – All entries at a given level of the taxonomy are of the same type; the hierarchy does not “mix apples and oranges.”

• Expandable – Is designed so as to enable new threats to be added to the taxonomy as they are discovered.

• Exclusive – Any given threat can only be placed in one cell within the hierarchy.

• Scalable – The same names can be used for threats at one site and across a continent.

The Conservation Measures Partnership

Core Members:

Collaborating Members:

Funding Support:

History of TNC & CMP activity

2003 Threats Working group (TNC+)- Start with ConBio published taxonomy- ProduceThreat Conventions paper

2004 - Threat & Action taxonomies a CMP project- Extensive testing (>600 threats), peer review, and revision

2005 - Adoption by TNC, CMP & others- CMP interactive threat taxonomy website (www.conservationmeasures.org)- Engagement with IUCN threat taxonomy- Guest editorial published in Oryx

CMP Threat Taxonomy – 8 classes

1.Habitat Conversion & Degradation

2.Transportation Infrastructure

3.Energy & Mining

4.Biological Resource Harvesting

5.Recreation & Work in Natural Habitats

6.Pollution

7.Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes

8.Climate Change

CMP Threat Taxonomy- 8 classes & 39 Categories

1. Habitat Conversion & Degradation a) Housing & Urban Development b) Commercial & Industrial

Developmentc) Farms & Plantations d) Recreation Areas e) Military Activities f) Natural System Modifications g) Altered Fire Regime h) Altered Hydrologic

2. Transportation Infrastructure a) Roads b) Railroads c) Utility Lines d) Shipping Lanes e) Flight Paths

3. Energy & Mining a) Oil & Gas Drilling b) Mining c) Renewable Energy

4. Biological Resource Harvestinga) Hunting, Trapping & Fishing b) Gatheringc) Logging d) Grazing & Ranching

5. Recreation & Work in Natural Habitatsa) Motor-Powered Recreation & Work b) Human-Powered Recreation & Work c) Scientific Research

6. Pollution a) Chemicals & Toxinsb) Nutrient Loads c) Solid Wasted) Waste & Residual Materials e) Greenhouse Gassesf) Radioactive Materialsg) Salth) Sonic Pollutioni) Thermal Pollutionj) Light Pollution

7. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes

a) Invasive Speciesb) Problematic Native Speciesc) Introduced Genetic Material d) Species Hybridization

8. Climate Changea) Habitat Shifting & Alteration b) Climate Variability

TNC use of the CMP threat taxonomy

• Integrated into standard desktop tool for project-level conservation planning

• Integrated into web-based database of all TNC conservation projects (now with 2700 threat entries)

• Integrated into “The Tool” being used for global Major Habitat Type analysis

• Integrated into the Toolbox for Ecoregional Assessments & Measures

Project Specific threats + Standardized Threats

Project Specific threats + Standardized Threats

http://cpi.tnc.org/

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Invasive Species (Invasive & Other Problematic Species& Genes)

Housing & Urban Development (Habitat Conversion &Degradation)

Altered Fire Regime (Habitat Conversion & Degradation)

Farms & Plantations (Habitat Conversion & Degradation)

Natural System Modifications (Habitat Conversion &Degradation)

Roads (Transportation Infrastructure)

Altered Hydrologic Regime (Habitat Conversion &Degradation)

Logging (Biological Resource Harvesting)

Grazing & Ranching (Biological Resource Harvesting)

Motor-Powered Recreation (Recreation & Research)

# of projects

Invasive Species (Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes)

Motor-Powered Recreation (Recreation & Research)

Housing & Urban Development (Habitat Conversion & Degradation)

Altered Fire Regime (Habitat Conversion & Degradation)

Farms & Plantations (Habitat Conversion & Degradation)

Natural System Modifications (Habitat Conversion & Degradation)

Roads (Transportation Infrastructure)

Altered Hydrologic Regime (Habitat Conversion & Degradation)

Logging (Biological Resource Harvesting)

Grazing & Ranching (Biological Resource Harvesting)

Top 10 threats from TNC’s Conservation Project Inventory website (628 projects total – 2700 threat assignments)

• Interactive CMP website with full-online access and comment feature

• World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society building into their conservation information systems

• > 25% of U.S. States adopted the CMP threat taxonomy for their State Wildlife Grants

• 2 new systems – eAdaptive Management & StratISS using CMP taxonomy

Other uses of CMP threat taxonomy

Other uses of CMP Threat taxonomy

Amsterdam July, 2005:

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)* adopts CMP standard taxonomies of threats and strategies/actions to incorporate in the biodiversity reporting framework of 600 corporations…

* www.globalreporting.org

Species Information Service Data Entry Module (SIS DEM) training workshop

IUCN – Red List Database

Species Information Service Data Entry Module (SIS DEM) training workshop

Major Threats• Only select the threats that trigger the Red List status and whether they are acting in the past, present or future.

• For an ongoing threat, click in all three boxes, i.e. past, present and future

• There are four levels in the hierarchy

• Click on a lower level, the upper levels automatically update

IUCN Threats Authority

0. No Threats 1. Habitat Loss/Degradation (human induced) 1.1. Agriculture

1.1.1. Crops 1.1.2. Wood plantations1.1.3. Non-timber plantations1.1.4. Livestock1.1.5. Abandonment1.1.6. Marine aquaculture1.1.7. Freshwater aquaculture1.1.8. Other 1.1.9. Unknown

1.2. Land management of non-agricultural areas 1.2.1. Abandonment1.2.2. Change of management regime1.2.3. Other1.2.4. Unknown

1.3. Extraction 1.3.1. Mining1.3.2. Fisheries1.3.3. Wood1.3.4. Non-woody vegetation collection1.3.5. Coral removal1.3.6. Groundwater extraction1.3.7. Other1.3.8. Unknown

1.4. Infrastructure development 1.4.1. Industry1.4.2. Human settlement1.4.3. Tourism/recreation1.4.4. Transport - land/air1.4.5. Transport – water1.4.6. Dams1.4.7. Telecommunications1.4.8. Power lines1.4.9. Other1.4.10. Unknown

1.5. Invasive alien species (directly impacting habitat) 1.6. Change in native species dynamics (directly impacting habitat) 1.7. Fires 1.8. Other causes 1.9. Unknown causes

2. Invasive alien species (directly affecting the species) 2.1. Competitors 2.2. Predators 2.3. Hybridizers 2.4. Pathogens/parasites 2.5. Other 2.6. Unknown

3. Harvesting [hunting/gathering] 3.1. Food

3.1.1. Subsistence use/local trade3.1.2. Sub-national/national trade3.1.3. Regional/international trade

3.2. Medicine 3.2.1. Subsistence use/local trade3.2.2. Sub-national/national trade3.2.3. Regional/international trade

3.3. Fuel 3.3.1. Subsistence use/local trade3.3.2. Sub-national/national trade3.3.3. Regional/international trade

3.4. Materials 3.4.1. Subsistence use/local trade3.4.2. Sub-national/national trade3.4.3. Regional/international trade

3.5. Cultural/scientific/leisure activities 3.5.1. Subsistence use/local trade3.5.2. Sub-national/national trade3.5.3. Regional/international trade

3.6. Other 3.7. Unknown

4. Accidental mortality 4.1. Bycatch

4.1.1. Fisheries-related4.1.2. Terrestrial4.1.3. Other4.1.4. Unknown

4.2. Collision 4.2.1. Pylon and building collision4.2.2. Vehicle collision4.2.3. Other4.2.4. Unknown

4.3. Other 4.4. Unknown

Total categories (3rd level) = 136

(4th level categories not shown)

IUCN Threats Authority - continued5. Persecution

5.1. Pest control 5.2. Other 5.3. Unknown

6. Pollution (affecting habitat and/or species) 6.1. Atmospheric pollution

6.1.1. Global warming/oceanic warming6.1.2. Acid precipitation6.1.3. Ozone hole effects6.1.4. Smog6.1.5. Other6.1.6. Unknown

6.2. Land pollution 6.2.1. Agricultural6.2.2. Domestic6.2.3. Commercial/Industrial6.2.4. Other non-agricultural6.2.5. Light pollution6.2.6. Other6.2.7. Unknown

6.3. Water pollution 6.3.1. Agricultural6.3.2. Domestic6.3.3. Commercial/Industrial6.3.4. Other non-agricultural6.3.5. Thermal pollution6.3.6. Oil slicks6.3.7. Sediment6.3.8. Sewage6.3.9. Solid waste6.3.10. Noise pollution6.3.11. Other6.3.12. Unknown

7. Natural disasters 7.1. Drought 7.2. Storms/flooding 7.3. Temperature extremes 7.4. Wildfire 7.5. Volcanoes 7.6. Avalanches/landslides 7.7. Other 7.8. Unknown

8. Changes in native species dynamics 8.1. Competitors 8.2. Predators 8.3. Prey/food base 8.4. Hybridizers 8.5. Pathogens/parasites 8.6. Mutualisms 8.7. Other 8.8. Unknown

9. Intrinsic Factors 9.1. Limited dispersal 9.2. Poor recruitment/reproduction/regeneration 9.3. High juvenile mortality 9.4. Inbreeding 9.5. Low densities 9.6. Skewed sex ratios 9.7. Slow growth rates 9.8. Population fluctuations 9.9. Restricted range 9.10. Other 9.11. Unknown

10. Human disturbance 10.1. Recreation/tourism 10.2. Research 10.3. War/civil unrest 10.4. Transport 10.5. Fire 10.6. Other 10.7. Unknown 11. Other 12. Unknown

Total categories (3rd level) = 136

(4th level categories not shown)

1st level Categories

IUCN = 13 CMP = 8habitat degradation

invasive species

harvesting

pollution

Dashed lines indicate weaker relationships?

Some categories don’t correspond at all

0. No Threats

1. Habitat Loss/Degradation (human induced)

2. Invasive alien species (directly affecting the species)

3. Harvesting [hunting/gathering]

4. Accidental mortality

5. Persecution

6. Pollution (affecting habitat and/or species)

7. Natural disasters

8. Changes in native species dynamics

9. Intrinsic Factors

10. Human disturbance

11. Other

12. Unknown

1. Habitat Conversion & Degradation

2. Transportation Infrastructure

3. Energy & Mining

4. Biological Resource Harvesting

5. Recreation & Work in Natural Habitats

6. Pollution

7. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes

8. Climate Change

1. Habitat Loss/Degradation (human induced) 1.1. Agriculture 1.2. Land management of non-agricultural areas 1.3. Extraction 1.4. Infrastructure development 1.5. Invasive alien species (directly impacting habitat) 1.6. Change in native species dynamics (directly impacting habitat) 1.7. Fires 1.8. Other causes 1.9. Unknown causes

2. Invasive alien species (directly affecting the species) 2.1. Competitors 2.2. Predators 2.3. Hybridizers 2.4. Pathogens/parasites 2.5. Other 2.6. Unknown

3. Harvesting [hunting/gathering] 3.1. Food 3.2. Medicine 3.3. Fuel 3.4. Materials 3.5. Cultural/scientific/leisure activities 3.6. Other 3.7. Unknown

4. Accidental mortality 4.1. Bycatch 4.2. Collision 4.3. Other 4.4. Unknown

5. Persecution 5.1. Pest control 5.2. Other 5.3. Unknown

6. Pollution (affecting habitat and/or species) 6.1. Atmospheric pollution 6.2. Land pollution 6.3. Water pollution

7. Natural disasters 7.1. Drought 7.2. Storms/flooding 7.3. Temperature extremes 7.4. Wildfire 7.5. Volcanoes 7.6. Avalanches/landslides 7.7. Other 7.8. Unknown

8. Changes in native species dynamics 8.1. Competitors 8.2. Predators 8.3. Prey/food base 8.4. Hybridizers 8.5. Pathogens/parasites 8.6. Mutualisms 8.7. Other 8.8. Unknown

1. Habitat Conversion & Degradation a) Housing & Urban Development b) Commercial & Industrial Developmentc) Farms & Plantations d) Recreation Areas e) Military Activities f) Natural System Modifications g) Altered Fire Regime h) Altered Hydrologic

2. Transportation Infrastructure a) Roads b) Railroads c) Utility Lines d) Shipping Lanes e) Flight Paths

3. Energy & Mining a) Oil & Gas Drilling b) Mining c) Renewable Energy

4. Biological Resource Harvestinga) Hunting, Trapping & Fishing b) Gatheringc) Logging d) Grazing & Ranching

5. Recreation & Work in Natural Habitats

a) Motor-Powered Recreation & Work

b) Human-Powered Recreation & Work

c) Scientific Research

6. Pollution

a) Chemicals & Toxins

b) Nutrient Loads

c) Solid Waste

d) Waste & Residual Materials

e) Greenhouse Gasses

f) Radioactive Materials

g) Salt

h) Sonic Pollution

i) Thermal Pollution

j) Light Pollution

7. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes

a) Invasive Species

b) Problematic Native Species

c) Introduced Genetic Material

d) Species Hybridization

8. Climate Change

a) Habitat Shifting & Alteration

b) Climate Variability

agriculture

extraction

non-biological

biological

management

infrastructure

invasives

problematic natives

hybridizers

pollution

climate change

fire

IUC

N CM

P

9. Intrinsic Factors 9.1. Limited dispersal 9.2. Poor recruitment/reproduction/regeneration 9.3. High juvenile mortality 9.4. Inbreeding 9.5. Low densities 9.6. Skewed sex ratios 9.7. Slow growth rates 9.8. Population fluctuations 9.9. Restricted range 9.10. Other 9.11. Unknown

10. Human disturbance 10.1. Recreation/tourism 10.2. Research 10.3. War/civil unrest 10.4. Transport 10.5. Fire 10.6. Other 10.7. Unknown

11. Other 12. Unknown

1. Habitat Conversion & Degradation a) Housing & Urban Development b) Commercial & Industrial Developmentc) Farms & Plantations d) Recreation Areas e) Military Activities f) Natural System Modifications g) Altered Fire Regime h) Altered Hydrologic

2. Transportation Infrastructure a) Roads b) Railroads c) Utility Lines d) Shipping Lanes e) Flight Paths

3. Energy & Mining a) Oil & Gas Drilling b) Mining c) Renewable Energy

4. Biological Resource Harvestinga) Hunting, Trapping & Fishing b) Gatheringc) Logging d) Grazing & Ranching

5. Recreation & Work in Natural Habitats

a) Motor-Powered Recreation & Work

b) Human-Powered Recreation & Work

c) Scientific Research

6. Pollution

a) Chemicals & Toxins

b) Nutrient Loads

c) Solid Waste

d) Waste & Residual Materials

e) Greenhouse Gasses

f) Radioactive Materials

g) Salt

h) Sonic Pollution

i) Thermal Pollution

j) Light Pollution

7. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes

a) Invasive Species

b) Problematic Native Species

c) Introduced Genetic Material

d) Species Hybridization

8. Climate Change

a) Habitat Shifting & Alteration

b) Climate Variability

recreation

research

military

transport (2)

fire (2)

?IUC

N CM

P

I. DIRECT THREATS

1. Agricultural Practicesa. Annual Cropsb. Plantationsc. Livestock

2. Infrastructure Developmenta. Housing & Urban Developmentb. Commercial & Industrial

Developmentc. Recreation Areas

3. Natural System Modificationsa. Altered Fire Regimeb. Altered Hydrologic Regimec. Other System Modificationsd. Military Activities

4. Transportation Infrastructurea. Roadsb. Railroadsc. Utility Linesd. Shipping Lanese. Flight Paths

5. Energy & Mininga. Oil & Gas Drillingb. Miningc. Renewable Energy

6. Biological Resource Harvestinga. Hunting, Trapping & Fishingb. Gatheringc. Grazing & Ranching

7. Human Presence in Natural Habitats

a. Recreation & Workb. War & Civil Unrestc. Scientific Research

Draft CMP + IUCN – 1 of 2(3rd level not shown)

8. Pollutiona. Chemicals & Toxinsb. Nutrient Loadsc. Solid Wasted. Waste & Residual Materialse. Greenhouse Gasesf. Radioactive Materialsg. Salth. Sonic Pollutioni. Thermal Pollutionj. Light Pollution

9. Invasive & Other Problematic Species

& Genesa. Invasive Speciesb. Problematic Native Speciesc. Introduced Genetic Materiald. Species Hybridization

II. STRESSES / THREATS

10. Natural Disasters

11. Climate Changea. Habitat Shifting & Alterationb. Climate variability

12. Intrinsic Factors

Draft CMP + IUCN – 2 of 2(3rd level not shown)

Next Steps

• Major IUCN taxonomy meeting November 28 - December 2, 2005

• Additional collaboration CMP + IUCN• Additional peer review (EPA & others)• Finalize revised global common

taxonomy by May 2006• Crosswalk existing CMP & IUCN records

to revised global common taxonomy• Publish taxonomy in scientific journal