F-80-R-1, Study 469
STUDY FINAL REPORT
9
F-80-R-1, Study 469
State: Michigan
Study No.: 237016
Project No.: T-10-T-4
Title: Refinement of the aquatic portion of Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan (MWAP) and development of tools to support the plan
9
T-10-T-5, Study 237016
Period Covered: October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2014
Study Objectives: The goals of this project are to refine the Michigan’s comprehensive aquatic conservation strategy; synthesize progress made during the first phase of implementation of the plan; and develop improved databases, frameworks, and tools for the implementation of MWAP. The objectives are to: (1)identify high priority conservation areas for both inland lakes and rivers; (2)assess environmental conditions of Michigan’s rivers and inland lakes; (3)identify key environmental threats to each water body; (4)develop GIS application tools to meet the other implementation needs of the MWAP programs of Fisheries Division; and (5)develop and write the aquatic portion of the 10-year conservation strategy refinement report.
Summary: We have begun development of high priority conservation areas using the SGCN habitat suitability models created for SGCN fishes, mussels, and aquatic insects. A connectivity analysis for streams and lakes was conducted using a statewide barrier dataset that includes small dams, large dams, and waterfalls. This information was used to calculate dendritic connectivity index values for each SGCN fish species, creating a measure of contemporary connectivity among high suitable habitats. Landscape disturbance and climate change modeling were incorporated into species models to identify key environmental threats for all SGCN and all water bodies in Michigan. A new web-mapping platform was developed that will support a conservation Viewer for the MWAP decision support process. Ongoing GIS support was provided to numerous MWAP projects. A list of priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need for the 2015 revision of the Michigan Wildlife Action Plan was developed. Species Conservation Needs Guidance documents are being drafted for each priority SGCN.
Findings: Jobs 1-6, and 8 were scheduled for 2013-14, and findings are reported below.
Job 1. Identify high priority conservation areas for both inland lakes and rivers.–We have begun development of high priority conservation areas using the SGCN habitat suitability models created for SGCN fishes, mussels, and aquatic insects. This approach incorporates the identification key natural habitat characteristics for each species as well as a risk-based habitat assessment using both contemporary (human disturbance index and connectivity) and future (climate change) threats.
Job 2. Assess environmental conditions of Michigan rivers and inland lakes.–A connectivity analysis for streams and lakes was conducted using a statewide barrier dataset that includes small dams, large dams, and waterfalls. These barriers were used to create a statewide connectivity layer identifying patches containing adjacent, connected streams/lakes with river basins. This information was used to calculate dendritic connectivity index values for each SGCN fish species, creating a measure of contemporary connectivity among high suitable habitats.
Job 3. Identify key environmental threats to each water body.–Existing human disturbance indices for Michigan lakes and streams were linked to the habitat suitability model results allowing for assessment of the relative condition of SGCN habitats. For SGCN stream fishes, the human disturbance index was re-categorized (severe, high, moderate, low, undetectable) based on a community threshold analysis using available MDNR relative abundance data. Climate change predictions (13 models and two time periods: 2046-2065 and 2081-2100) were incorporated into all stream MaxEnt models by inserting predicted future climate conditions (air temperature and precipitation) into existing statewide stream discharge and stream temperature models. As a result, spatial predictions in the amount of highly suitable habitat loss, gain, and held for SGCN species was produced along with measures of climate change prediction variability among the 13 models. For lake MaxEnt models, predicted future air temperature conditions were incorporated into lake growing degree models to produce climate change predictions.
Job 4. Develop GIS application tools to meet the other Fisheries Division implementation needs of the MWAP.–We continued to update and maintain the original version of the Aquatic Habitat Viewer (Flash), providing biologists an easy way to access the essential aquatic habitat information. We also developed and set up a framework for a Javascript web mapping platform with mobile device support, which will become the framework for the next iteration of the Aquatic Habitat Viewer. We began using the framework to build a Conservation Viewer for the MWAP decision support process, delivering the key findings of the SGCN modeling results.
Job 5. Provide GIS support to the MWAP.–GIS support was provided to the MWAP programs when requested. We provided a variety of spatial data including streams, lakes, and watersheds to display fish habitat and evaluate spatial relationships by different programs that deal with species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) issues. We also prepared spatial data for universities, NOAA, The Nature Conservancy, and provided maps in support of fish related issues, including Asian carp, creel survey, and river assessment for the Fisheries Division. These tasks included providing stream datasets, creating maps, and producing analysis results and tables.
Job 6. Develop and write the 10-year conservation strategy refinement report.–We finalized the list of priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need for the 2015 revision of the Michigan Wildlife Action Plan. Priority was given to species that are: endemic/unique; stronghold species; existing priorities; rely on rare or threatened habitats; and those ranked state or globally rare (S1/G1). Priority species were grouped into habitat types. An internal review was held to gain feedback on priority species and habitats from managers. Species Conservation Needs Guidance documents are being drafted for each priority SGCN. The documents identify the rationale for listing, current status and population trends, population goals, conservation needs, climate vulnerability, and conservation objectives. These documents will be used to refine future actions to be taken by the MDNR and partners to provide on-the-ground actions to conserve these species.
Job 8. Title: Prepare final report.–This final report was prepared as scheduled.
3