Conserving small natural features with large ecological roles: A synthetic overview

Authors

Malcolm L. Hunter, University of Maine
Vicenç Acuña, Catalan Institute for Water Research
Dana Marie Bauer, Clark UniversityFollow
Kathleen P. Bell, University of Maine
Aram J.K. Calhoun, University of Maine
María R. Felipe-Lucia, University of Bern
James A. Fitzsimons, Nature Conservancy
Eduardo González, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier
Michael Kinnison, University of Maine
David Lindenmayer, The Fenner School of Environment & Society
Carolyn J. Lundquist, The University of Auckland
Rodrigo A. Medellin, Instituto de Ecología, UNAM
Erik J. Nelson, Bowdoin College
Peter Poschlod, Universität Regensburg

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Small Natural Features (SNFs) are analogous to keystone species in that they have ecological importance that is disproportionate to their size. Thus the recognition and management of SNFs can be an efficient way to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. In particular, while the size of SNFs can engender threats (e.g., they are often overlooked and are relatively vulnerable to complete destruction), small size also leads to special conservation opportunities (e.g., integration with resource uses such as forestry or fisheries). Commonly, SNF conservation begins with education and inventory to form a foundation for appropriate, targeted protection and/or sustainable management. However, in cases of severe degradation or loss, more intensive activities such as restoration or creation may be required. Diverse approaches to conservation action are possible. For example, sometimes SNF conservation is undertaken incidentally to other efforts or on a voluntary basis; sometimes it involves substantial economic incentives or restrictive regulations. In general, the required investment for SNF conservation is likely to be smaller than that for larger areas, with disproportionate benefits given the substantial spatio-temporal influence of these features. In practice, conservation of SNFs should be complementary to traditional, larger-scale, forms of conservation by fostering creative, constructive efforts to conserve some seemingly minor features; features that have previously unknown or unappreciated roles critical to their broader ecosystems and to biodiversity.

Publication Title

Biological Conservation

Publication Date

7-2017

Volume

211

First Page

88

Last Page

95

ISSN

0006-3207

DOI

10.1016/j.biocon.2016.12.020

Keywords

biodiversity, ecosystem services, keystone, keystone species, meso-filter

Repository Citation

Hunter, Malcolm L.; Acuña, Vicenç; Bauer, Dana Marie; Bell, Kathleen P.; Calhoun, Aram J.K.; Felipe-Lucia, María R.; Fitzsimons, James A.; González, Eduardo; Kinnison, Michael; Lindenmayer, David; Lundquist, Carolyn J.; Medellin, Rodrigo A.; Nelson, Erik J.; and Poschlod, Peter, "Conserving small natural features with large ecological roles: A synthetic overview" (2017). Economics. 231.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_economics/231