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CORE
AREAS
Central
to the Conservation Areas Design is the concept
of Core and Linkage Areas. Core Areas
- composed of intact watersheds, relatively
intact watersheds with prime grizzly bear and
salmon habitat, and partially logged watersheds
that are restorable - are areas of critical
importance where industrial logging should not
be allowed.
LINKAGE
AREAS
Linkage
Areas connect the Core Areas, so species
with large territorial needs, such as grizzlies
and other large carnivores, can move from one
Core to another.
UMBRELLA
SPECIES
Because
it's impossible to inventory every species in
an ecosystem, scientists usually concentrate
on a few key or focal species. For example,
if animals at the top of the food chain are
given enough protected area, chances are that
species that are less visible and therefore
less known will be protected as well. These
top-level creatures are know as Umbrella
Species.
KEYSTONE
SPECIES
Additionally,
scientists look for species that play a critical
role in regulating the health of the entire
ecosystem. These are known as Keystone Species.
INDICATOR
SPECIES
Finally,
because it's so important to know whether a
plan is working, scientists look for species
whose health reflects that of the surrounding
ecosystem. In scientific terms, these proverbial
canaries-in-the-coal mine are known as Indicator
Species.
The
CAD scientific team analyzed the available data,
and determined that the CAD should identify
how to maintain or restore:
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1
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Viable
Populations of Large Carnivores (especially
grizzly bears) |
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2
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Viable
populations of all salmon stocks (keystone
& indicator species) |
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3
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Representation
of all native ecosystem types
(at different stages
in their development across their natural
range) |
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4
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Natural
Landscape Connectivity |
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