'Back on Track species prioritisation framework' approach

Many conservation agencies are now facing the challenge of deciding how best to use limited resources on an increasing number of listed threatened species. As a result, there are a number of different species prioritisation methods emerging around the world.

'Back on Track species prioritisation framework' is based on Marsh et al. (2007) Optimizing allocation of management resources for wildlife (Conservation Biology 21 (2) 387-399). This method provides an opportunity for both scientists and decision makers (managers) to provide input, and can be applied across a range of taxonomic groups.

Bluegrass © Don Butler.

There are six stages to the 'Back on Track species prioritisation framework' that contribute to determining the priority species (at both a regional and the state wide scale), identifying the key and common threats to these priority species and then working to address these threats and focus investment or management action through using a multi-species or landscape level approach.

The stages include:

Stage 1 - Identify priority threatened species for each Natural Resource Management (NRM) region and the state of Queensland
Stage 2 - Regionally specific information collated
Stage 3 - Regional Planning workshop
Stage 4 - Post workshop research, action plan development and consultation
Stage 5 - Agreement of the Regional Biodiversity Action Plan by the NRM Regional Board
Stage 6 - Implementation and review

Stage 1 - Identify priority threatened species for each Natural Resource Management (NRM) region and the state of Queensland

Each species native to Queensland is assessed by a panel of technical experts against seven criteria (regardless of their current threatened classification under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999), by considering the probability of extinction, consequences of extinction and potential for recovery of the species over the whole state of Queensland.

The NRM Board members and environment mangers weight each criterion (the Managers' Criteria Weighting) based on how the criteria are valued when allocating resources in the NRM region. The technical expert scores are multiplied by the Managers' Weighting to determine the total score for each species.

The scores are then ranked, and species with the highest scores are given the highest priority ranking. Species are ranked as 'Critical', 'High', 'Medium', 'Low' priority or as 'data deficient'. 'Data deficient' species are species too poorly known to be assessed using the 'Back on Track' criteria. However, it is important that 'data deficient' species are identified and reviewed to determine which species are priorities for research. Species ranked as 'Critical' or 'High' priority are subject to further analysis to determine key threats and what actions are required to address these threats.

Stage 2 - Regionally specific information collated

When the 'criteria weighting' stage of the prioritisation process has been completed, a list of priority species is identified for each region. Experts nominated by the regional NRM group verify the priority species list and the species presence in the region. Priority species distributions are mapped using the department WildNet records where possible.

Known threats are collated for each species from existing documents (e.g. relevant Threatened Species Recovery Plans and Species Management Profiles).

Stage 3 - Regional Planning workshop

Grey-headed flying-fox
© Tim Holmes

A two day workshop is organised where NRM regional staff are asked to identify and invite participants to the workshop that have a range of regional biodiversity knowledge and experience (marine, freshwater and terrestrial). This includes on-ground regional experience, regional technical and scientific knowledge. Invitees may include representatives from:

Local Government and State Government who work on regional threatened species or biodiversity conservation issues.
Relevant regional industry.
Relevant businesses interests.
Community groups.

The aim of the workshop is to use the 'Back on Track' list of 'Critical' and 'High' priority species for the NRM region, and identify the threats and then develop multi-species actions to address these threats. Participants are provided with species distribution maps, notes from the 'Back on Track' technical workshops, species Recovery Plans and Species Management Profiles to assist during the workshop.

Day one - participants use their knowledge of individual species to determine key regional threats, provide information on distribution, habitat requirements and fill in information gaps for each species.

Day two - species are grouped by key threats and participants use their natural resource management knowledge to determine on-ground management actions that could be implemented in the NRM region to address these threats and deliver the greatest conservation benefit for a range of species. Actions are designed to benefit multiple species and ecosystems wherever possible. In some cases where the distribution or habitat of a species does not overlap with other species affected by the same threat, then single species actions may be identified to assist in the recovery of the species.

Participants are asked to develop actions that are achievable within a five year timeframe.

Stage 4 - Post workshop research, action plan development and consultation

Considerable input is provided post workshop to further detail and prioritise actions to address key threats and to ensure actions are as focused as possible to ensure the best allocation of resources.

Post workshop consultation is sought with a range of people in the region including:

NRM staff.
Community volunteers undertaking biodiversity work.
Regional State Government staff such as the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries and the Department of Natural Resources and Water.
Interested business people such as farmers and fishers.

The resulting report provides a five year Action Plan to address the decline of priority species in each region and gives details of research that would overcome data deficiency in identified species.

Stage 5 - Agreement of the Regional Biodiversity Action Plan by the NRM Regional Board

The Biodiversity Action Plan will guide investments supported by the Regional Board and other stakeholders and partners to meet the goals and targets of the Regional Natural Resource Management Plan over the next five years.

Stage 6 - Implementation and review

As actions identified in the Action Plan are implemented, annual reporting will be required to monitor progress and update the Plan with new information, especially as it relates to details on species and as new technical assessments are undertaken. A formal review of progress will be undertaken in the final year.

To assist with implementation and review - an online Recovery Actions Database (RAD) will store all actions included in the Biodiversity Action Plans of all NRM regions in Queensland. This will allow for easy searching of actions for priority species. Users will be able to search for actions grouped by threat, species type, priority, timing, geographical area and potential contributor. The RAD will enable reporting on species monitoring and threat abatement outcomes, and users will be able to view all reports submitted to RAD. Individuals and groups will be encouraged to submit and view species and threat abatement reports to facilitate information exchange and improve our understanding of threatened species status and recovery, and the effectiveness of methods used to reduce threats.

The RAD is currently under construction by the department, as part of 'Back on Track species prioritisation framework', and will be available for use by the end of 2008.

Download a detailed description of the 'Back on Track species prioritisation framework' approach.

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Last updated: 01 September 2008