Maned Wolf Action Plan. Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA)

OROZCO, M. M.

2008-08-01

2008-08-01

Rec.Nat.Renov.-Conservacion y preservacion

The PHVA´s workshop is an efficient systematic process employed in strategic recovery and conservation plans for endangered species and its habitats. In the course of the PHVA, or even before, information on population demography, genetics, and ecology are compiled and associated to data on human impacts such as present and future development linked to land use. The main tool within the PHVA is the use of the Vortex software, a computer model for population dynamics. The system evaluates risks of population decreasing for the present and future through simulations based on specific threats to local population and under several management scenarios. The models integrate species biological and social data and are used as an excellent tool for the generation of new information. Additionally, the method allows the refinement of hypotheses in order to provide tangible objectives for a quantitative evaluation of management alternatives. The participants propose specific management recommendations based on several analyses in a way that the success of a PHVA workshop is related to the involvement of professionals with different expertise resulting in an exchange of knowledge and technologies, the built of general opinion on threats and its solutions, as well as the direction of resources. The PHVA process is based on contributions from different groups, aiming the connections between individuals from several different backgrounds but all interested on the target species in a multidisciplinary approach. The population modeling strength the decisions to be taken towards the species conservation, due to the intensive resolutions among the interested groups on viable solutions for the species threats and problems.