Approach
Maintenance of sensitive and at-risk species or communities in situ as long as possible could help the species or communities persist until new long-term sites can be located and populated. Restoring and protecting historical remnant areas of ecologically significant species or communities may be helpful in some urban natural areas. More developed urban areas often contain engineered habitats for a variety of native and nonnative species, and can also play an important role in providing habitat. Artificial reserves are addressed in approach 4.3.
Tactics
- Urban natural areas: Maintaining species and structural elements that provide habitat for at-risk species
- Urban natural areas: Increasing buffer areas to protect at-risk communities from disturbance and invasion
- Urban natural areas: Rerouting roads or trails away from at-risk communities in order to reduce damage from traffic or reduce the risk of invasive species introduction.
- Developed urban sites: Establishing and supporting development and management ordinances and regulations that protect and reduce impacts to high-quality remnants and features.
Strategy
Strategy Text
Refugia are areas that have resisted ecological and climatic changes occurring elsewhere; these areas often provide suitable habitat for relict populations of species that were previously more widespread (Keppel et al. 2012, Millar et al. 2007). Despite their rarity in urban areas, refugia can still be important for species of conservation concern. For many taxa, they may offer the best chances for survival under climate change. Identification of refugia is an important first step toward their conservation under climate change in urban areas (Keppel et al. 2012).
Citation
Swanston, C.W.; Janowiak, M.K.; Brandt, L.A.; Butler, P.R.; Handler, S.D.; Shannon, P.D.; Derby Lewis, A.; Hall, K.; Fahey, R.T.; Scott, L.; Kerber, A.; Miesbauer, J.W.; Darling, L.; 2016. Forest Adaptation Resources: climate change tools and approaches for land managers, 2nd ed. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 161 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-87-2,