Stages of species action plan research

 

Stages of knowledge acquisition for the Species Action Plans and the types of task carried out at each stage

The maturity of knowledge on a species determines what action is required. The knowledge of each species and the steps necessary to acquire information to guide conservation, is laid out in the Action Plans.

There are five typical stages of knowledge acquisition in understanding the status and requirements of species and identifying applicable conservation management:

STAGES	TASKS
	Basic surveys of presence/absence; Assessments of frequency and condition of population;
	Detailed population level studies to understand habitat requirements;
	Field scale management experiments/ trials of measures to enhance habitats;
	Results of trials/experiments interpreted for guidance notes, presentations/talks etc; Expert advice for particular situations;
	Systematic checks of species and habitat responses to management, feedback to distribution and status;

Distribution, status and condition

Knowledge of distribution, status and condition of species is necessary for underpinning research and conservation actions. For the majority of the species covered by the research programme, much is already known.

Autecological research

Knowledge of the basic requirements of a species is fundamental to its conservation. Without such information, managers do not know the type of habitat that should be maintained or provided. Detailed studies, usually conducted at the population level, provide information on specific requirements and may indicate what habitat features are critical for a species survival.

Impacts of management threats and opportunities

Understanding how forest management practices affect species is central to this stage of research. Experiments that explore the impacts of operations ranging from those perceived as beneficial to those considered detrimental are used as the preferred basis for management guidance.

Providing guidance

Converting research findings into guidance is an essential stage in the research process. Guidance provided by the SAPs programme varies and encompasses practical management guidance through to strategic advice to support forest policy decisions.

Monitoring effect of recommended management

Management guidance is normally based on the results of designed experiments and expert knowledge/opinion. Where possible it is important to monitor the impacts of recommended management as a check on whether the management is appropriate and as a way of refining the guidance. This type of work is suitable for species whose ecology and response to management is already well known.