Pathways for avian science, conservation, and management in boreal Alaska

Alaska contains 11% of North America's boreal forest, the most extensive network of conservation lands on the continent, and several species of declining boreal birds, making it a critical component of boreal bird conservation and management. A variety of actions by federal, state, and environm...

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Main Authors: Steven M. Matsuoka, Julie C. Hagelin, Melanie A. Smith, Thomas F. Paragi, Amanda L. Sesser, Moira A. Ingle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Resilience Alliance 2019-06-01
Series:Avian Conservation and Ecology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ace-eco.org/vol14/iss1/art15/
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author Steven M. Matsuoka
Julie C. Hagelin
Melanie A. Smith
Thomas F. Paragi
Amanda L. Sesser
Moira A. Ingle
author_facet Steven M. Matsuoka
Julie C. Hagelin
Melanie A. Smith
Thomas F. Paragi
Amanda L. Sesser
Moira A. Ingle
author_sort Steven M. Matsuoka
collection DOAJ
description Alaska contains 11% of North America's boreal forest, the most extensive network of conservation lands on the continent, and several species of declining boreal birds, making it a critical component of boreal bird conservation and management. A variety of actions by federal, state, and environmental nongovernmental organizations (ENGOs) have important consequences for birds and boreal habitats. This is particularly true on the 86% of boreal Alaska that is managed as state and federal protected areas (45%) and multiple-use lands (41%). We review activities by governmental and ENGO programs as well as existing laws that directly or indirectly benefit birds in boreal Alaska, not all of which are well known to avian scientists and resource managers. In doing so we highlight examples of multiorganizational efforts that are advancing conservation and management of bird populations in the boreal region, as well as changes in government policies that influence how important statutes protecting birds can be used. We also point out several information gaps, such as identifying and mapping important areas and habitats for bird species of conservation concern, that could inform important land-use decisions in the region. Given the growing number of future challenges, in particular, the response of ecosystems and birds to a warming climate, international and cross-agency collaborations will be needed to anticipate and mitigate avian declines, as well as to maintain connectivity and ecosystem integrity across boreal landscapes.
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spelling doaj.art-9e3533b4002b42ca8070246689c8de722023-01-02T08:50:38ZengResilience AllianceAvian Conservation and Ecology1712-65682019-06-01141151347Pathways for avian science, conservation, and management in boreal AlaskaSteven M. Matsuoka0Julie C. Hagelin1Melanie A. Smith2Thomas F. Paragi3Amanda L. Sesser4Moira A. Ingle5Boreal Avian Modelling Project, CanadaAlaska Department of Fish and Game, Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program, USAAudubon Alaska, USAAlaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, USAU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northwest Boreal Landscape Conservation Cooperative, USAAlaska Department of Fish and Game, Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program, USAAlaska contains 11% of North America's boreal forest, the most extensive network of conservation lands on the continent, and several species of declining boreal birds, making it a critical component of boreal bird conservation and management. A variety of actions by federal, state, and environmental nongovernmental organizations (ENGOs) have important consequences for birds and boreal habitats. This is particularly true on the 86% of boreal Alaska that is managed as state and federal protected areas (45%) and multiple-use lands (41%). We review activities by governmental and ENGO programs as well as existing laws that directly or indirectly benefit birds in boreal Alaska, not all of which are well known to avian scientists and resource managers. In doing so we highlight examples of multiorganizational efforts that are advancing conservation and management of bird populations in the boreal region, as well as changes in government policies that influence how important statutes protecting birds can be used. We also point out several information gaps, such as identifying and mapping important areas and habitats for bird species of conservation concern, that could inform important land-use decisions in the region. Given the growing number of future challenges, in particular, the response of ecosystems and birds to a warming climate, international and cross-agency collaborations will be needed to anticipate and mitigate avian declines, as well as to maintain connectivity and ecosystem integrity across boreal landscapes.http://www.ace-eco.org/vol14/iss1/art15/alaskabirdsboreal forestconservationgovernmentmanagementnongovernment environmental organizationscience
spellingShingle Steven M. Matsuoka
Julie C. Hagelin
Melanie A. Smith
Thomas F. Paragi
Amanda L. Sesser
Moira A. Ingle
Pathways for avian science, conservation, and management in boreal Alaska
Avian Conservation and Ecology
alaska
birds
boreal forest
conservation
government
management
nongovernment environmental organization
science
title Pathways for avian science, conservation, and management in boreal Alaska
title_full Pathways for avian science, conservation, and management in boreal Alaska
title_fullStr Pathways for avian science, conservation, and management in boreal Alaska
title_full_unstemmed Pathways for avian science, conservation, and management in boreal Alaska
title_short Pathways for avian science, conservation, and management in boreal Alaska
title_sort pathways for avian science conservation and management in boreal alaska
topic alaska
birds
boreal forest
conservation
government
management
nongovernment environmental organization
science
url http://www.ace-eco.org/vol14/iss1/art15/
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