Published: July 25, 2024

We conducted a multi-scaled Ecoregional Conservation Assessment for the Southern Rockies (~14.5M ha) and its trailing edge, Santa Fe Subregion (~2.2M ha), Wyoming to New Mexico, USA. included representation analysis of Existing Vegetation Types (EVT), mature-old-growth forests (MOG), four focal species—Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus), Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)—in relation 30 x 50 conservation targets. To integrate targets with wildfire risk reduction built environment climate change planning, we overlaid location wildfires forest treatments in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) downscaled projections lower (RCP4.5) higher (RCP8.5) emissions scenario. Protected areas were highly skewed toward upper elevation EVTs (most >50% protected), underrepresented types (<30% especially MOG (<22% protected) riparian (~14% poorly represented habitat (<30%) at least 3 species, subregion where nearly all underperformed compared ecoregion. Most (>73%) thinning over past decade >1-km from delineated WUI areas, well beyond distance which vegetation management can effectively reduce structure ignition (< 50-m structures). Extreme heat, drought, snowpack reductions, altered timing peak stream flows, increasing wildfires, potential shifts niche woodlands conifer may impact dependent while declining that den elevations. Strategically targeting fuel would improve allow expansion protected held up controversy. Stepped-up protections roadless adoption wilderness proposals, greater are critical meeting

Language: Английский