A conservation plan for the Klamat-Siskiyou ecoregion

The high biodiversity and physical heterogeneity of the Klamath-Siskiyou Ec oregion of the Pacific Northwest (USA) suggest the need for an ambitious an d multifaceted approach to conservation research and planning. We developed a process of reserve selection and design that proceeds along three parall el tracks: (1) protection of special elements, such as rare species hotspot s, old-growth forests, and key watersheds; (2) representation of physical a nd vegetative habitat types; and (5) maintenance of viable populations of f ocal species (e.g., fisher, Martes pennanti Erxleben). Each of these comple mentary research tracks identified important conservation opportunities in the region. In combination they provide a basis for a reserve design and ma nagement plan that meets conservation goals better than the existing manage ment situation established by the federal Northwest Forest Plan. Our propos ed Phase I reserve design begins with protection of roadless areas on publi c lands that score high under the criteria of our three-track approach. A r elatively small area of additional public and private land is necessary to provide habitat contiguity among roadless areas and capture remaining biolo gical hotspots. This design would place approximately 34% of the region int o the strictest category of protected areas, compared to 13% under current management, and would place an additional 19% of the region into moderate p rotection. A second, proposed phase of conservation would include protectio n of additional private lands to meet representation objectives. Also inclu ded in Phase II would be protection of linkages to other regions, necessary for long-term persistence of wide-ranging animals such as large carnivores (e.g., gray wolf, Canis lupus L.), which are being considered for reintrod uction to the region. When implemented, Phase II would bring approximately 60-65% of the region into strict and moderate protection. Linkage design an d ecological management (e.g., fire regimes) are among the critical topics for further research.