Science >>Surrogate Species
Surrogate species is a commonly-used scientific term for system-based conservation planning that uses a species as an indicator of landscape habitat and system conditions. Surrogate species are used for comprehensive conservation planning that supports multiple species and habitats within a defined landscape or geographic area.
To enable effective and efficient fish and wildlife conservation, the Service has developed draft technical guidance to help employees and partners establish biological outcomes at defined landscape scales. This guidance describes a standard process and criteria for defining biological outcomes using a surrogate species approach, reducing the burden of addressing the requirements of many species individually. The application of this guidance represents an opportunity for the Service to participate with partners in advancing understanding of surrogate species science and refining application of the Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC) framework to our conservation activities.
View the Draft Technical Guidance
The Surrogate Species Approach
Upcoming Workshops
WHERE: Arizona Game & Fish Dept,. 5000 W. Carefree Hwy., Phoenix, AZ 85086 - Eagle Room
WHEN: November 1, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
RSVP: Please call or email Ivy Allen or 303-236-4574
WHY: The U.S. Fish Wildlife Service is seeking your input to achieve sustainable landscapes as part of the Strategic Habitat Conservation framework. In the near future, we will choose surrogate species and projects to work across Service programs with the help of our partners. We are seeking the input of our partners to make thoughtful choices in the Draft Technical Guidance. Please join us in a workshop where we will inform you of the Draft Technical Guidance and receive your feedback for improvements.
