This document outlines a prioritization protocol for optimally allocating conservation resources among threatened species. It describes a 9-step process to (1) define conservation objectives, (2) list biodiversity assets, (3) weight the assets based on various criteria, (4) list potential management projects, (5) calculate costs, (6) predict benefits, (7) estimate likelihood of success, (8) consider constraints, and (9) rank projects to choose the optimal set that maximizes threatened species protection given limited resources. It also references an online prioritization tool used by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to implement this protocol.

1. Prioritizing Species
and Actions Protocol
Rita Dixon
Idaho Department of Fish and
Game

2. Why
prioritize?

3. MOST critical
needs

4. Species with
the GREATEST
conservation
need

5. PRECLUDE
the need to list

6. http://teaming.com/sites/default/files/SWAP%20Best%20Practic
es-110212-for%20website.pdf

7. “Best Practice” method or
technique, through
experience and research,
has consistently shown
results superior to those
achieved by other means

10. Joseph, L. N., R. F. Maloney, and H. P. Possingham. 2009. Optimal allocation of
resources among threatened species: a project prioritization protocol. Conservation
Biology 23:328–338.

11. Define
objectives
List
biodiversity
assets
Weight
assets
List
management
projectsEstimate
cost
Predict the
benefit
Estimate
likelihood of
success
State
constraints
Choose
set of
projects
Joseph et al.
2009
Optimal Allocation

12. (1) Define objectives
e.g., To secure (over a period
of 50 years) the greatest
number of threatened species
of value given a limited budget

13. (2) List biodiversity assets of
interest

14. (3) Weight assets
• Cultural significance
• Social values
• Economic importance
• Evolutionary significance
• Ecological function
• Endemicity
• Taxonomic distinctiveness
• Climate Change Sensitivity
• Threat status
• Conservation responsibility
of jurisdiction for species

15. Levels of Endemism: State

16. Levels of Endemism: Ecoregion

17. Levels of Endemism: Region

18. Taxonomic distinctiveness
http://www.catalogueoflife.org/

19. http://climatechangesensitivity.or
g/

21. Assess Risk
• Range/Distribution
• Abundance/Condition
• Threats
• Trends (short- & long-
term)

22. Threat Status
• SH Possibly
Extirpated
• S1 Critically Imperiled
• S2 Imperiled
• S3 Vulnerable
• S4 Apparently Secure
• S5 Secure

23. (4) List management projects
• Choose an appropriate project for each species
• Project is minimum set of all necessary actions for obtaining a
reasonable (≥95%) probability of securing the species over 50 y
• 4 compulsory components:
– outcome monitoring
– services and support
– project management
– infrastructure
• at least one optional intervention (e.g., captive breeding,
translocation, pest animal control, weed control, legal actions,
education)
• Specify precise location, intensity, and duration of management for
each action

24. (5) Calculate the cost of each
project
• Total estimated cost over a 10-year period
(i.e., SWAP revision period)

25. (6) Predict the benefit to assets

26. (7) Estimate likelihood of
success
• Mi = probability that each project, i, could
be implemented successfully
• Ni = probability that, if implemented
successfully, it would be reasonably
(≥95%) successful in securing the species
• Total probability of success of each
project, Si, = MiNi

27. (8) State constraints
• Identify constraints on the projects and the
total budget
• Primary constraint is total budget available

28. (9) Rank projects

29. Idaho’s Online Prioritization Tool
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/species/node/add/swap-species-prioritization

30. Idaho’s Online Prioritization Tool
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/species/node/add/swap-species-projects-actions-fo