ECOSYSTEM-LEVEL CONSERVATION AT THE NATURE-CONSERVANCY - GROWING NEEDS FOR APPLIED-RESEARCH IN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

During more than 40 years of conservation activity, The Nature Conserv ancy has played an instrumental role in the protection of biodiversity by assessing the rarity of species and communities, tracking their lo cations and ecological status, and pursuing some form of conservation management for critical habitats. The acquisition of key private lands and subsequent management as nature preserves by Conservancy staff ha s proven to be an effective conservation approach. In response to an u rgent need to seek biodiversity protection on larger landscapes, the o rganization is now shifting its focus to ecosystem-level conservation activities. This venture will largely depend upon: 1) partnerships dev eloped with public-land managers and private landowners and 2) improve d understanding of system interdependencies and ecosystem processes. ' 'Bio-hydrological'' studies which address the influences of hydrologic regimes on the character of biological communities are critically nee ded.