Welcome
Surrogate species are plants and animals that represent other species or aspects of the environment. A component of Strategic Habitat Conservation,this approach guides comprehensive conservation planning for multiple species and habitats within a defined landscape. The sheer number of species which the Service and our partners seek to conserve, and the growing complexity of challenges such as climate change and habitat fragmentation, require us to use new strategies to ensure self-sustaining fish and wildlife populations across large landscapes. Using surrogate species to focus our conservation efforts can help address the needs of a much larger set of species.
Features
Oregon white oak provides habitat for numerous native species in the Willamette Valley, and occupies only a small fraction of its native range Oregon white oak provides habitat for numerous native species in the Willamette Valley, and occupies only a small fraction of its native range |
The Acorn Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree...The majestic Oregon white oak is an iconic tree in the Willamette Valley, and not surprisingly, one of the surrogate species selected to reflect conservation priorities on that landscape. Oak creates a variety of habitat and resource conditions that support a multitude of other species. With support from the Fish and Wildlife Service, a new video produced by the Yamhill Watershed Stewardship Fund and Ah! Creative tells a compelling story of the ecological importance of Oregon White Oak in the Willamette Valley |
Managing Summit Superstore #36 was an award-winning experience for Anita Johnson photo credit: greggavedon.com |
What Do Surrogate Species Have 'In Store' for Conservation?Surrogate species is a commonly-used scientific term for plants and animals that represent other species or aspects of the environment (e.g., water quality). Why? Using surrogate species to focus the design, delivery, and monitoring of our conservation efforts can help address the needs of a much larger set of species we care about. Does the surrogate species approach have other real-world applications? Let’s read about one example. |
The Washington ground squirrel, a potential surrogate species for the Columbia Plateau USFWS photo |
Surrogate Species Case Study: The Columbia Plateau EcoregionAs the Service introduces a surrogate species approach to landscape conservation, it helps to look at how this concept has already been applied successfully. In the Pacific Northwest, recent efforts by the Arid Lands Initiative, a diverse partnership of public, private and tribal interests, and the associated Washington Connected Landscapes Project present a case study of how a set of focal or representative species can be assembled and used to put Strategic Habitat Conservation into practice. |
