Species redistribution along an ecoregional and coastal-marine interface: conservation and management implications.
Dr Mark Reynolds1, Dick Cameron1
1The Nature Conservancy, San Francisco, United States
Ecoregional boundaries contain range limits of many species and are often biodiversity hotspots and conservation priorities. The Nature Conservancy has recently protected 25,000 acres of land at Point Conception, a prominent cape along the coast of southern California at the ecoregional boundary between northern and southern California coastal terrestrial and marine ecoregions. In this transition zone, many species are at the northern or southern limit of their current ranges and so we expect a high rate of turnover in species. The region includes the California floristic province, the most biodiverse and threatened floristic province in North America and is known for exceptionally high levels of endemism. We analyzed scenarios of species range distribution changes along this contact zone and developed management principles to guide research and habitat restoration priorities. We discuss conservation and management opportunities along this coastal-marine interface and relevance to other contact zones.
Biography:
Mark Reynolds, Lead Scientist, Dangermond Preserve. Mark provides scientific leadership and guidance by developing analytical approaches to planning, conservation strategy development and monitoring and by leading TNC science enterprises focused on conservation challenges at the nexus of climate change and natural resource management. Mark is leading the integrated resource management plan for the Dangermond Preserve and serves on the steering committee for developing the Dangermond Preserve research institute. Prior to joining the Conservancy, he was the Executive Director of Field Station Programs at San Diego State University. Prior to that, he worked for the University of California’s Natural Reserve System as Co-Director of the Sedgwick Reserve near Santa Barbara and as Co-Manager of Sagehen Creek Field Station for the University of California, Berkeley. He also worked as a wildlife biologist in Tahoe National Forest for the U.S. Forest Service. He holds a Ph.D. in Zoology/Animal Biology from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.S. in Zoology/Animal Biology from Idaho State University.