Appendix 3: Candidate Ecological Benchmark

Source Type: Ecosystem Initiatives

Source Name: Prairie Habitat Joint Venture

Number: 37/48

Benchmark:
Secure and manage 3.66 million acres of private and public lands in areas of high waterfowl production. Protect and enhance large wetland areas important to waterfowl moulting and migration.

Applies to whom: All

Applies to what: Areas of high waterfowl production

Applies where: Prairies

Reference:
Prairie Habitat Joint Venture. 1996. Gaining Ground. A Summary of Evaluation Studies. Prairie Habitat Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. (No location indicated.)

Evaluation:

Effective: 3

Effective Comments:
General terms such as "high waterfowl production" and "important." Project effects that do not protect and enhance wetlands and associated habitat in "areas of high waterfowl production" to be considered significant?

Authoritative: 3

Authoritative Comments:
Linked to International agreement (North American Waterfowl Management Plan)

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Species diversity, geographic extent (migratory birds)

Sound: 5

Sound Comments:
Approach to waterfowl conservation and selection of "key wetland ecosystems" areas based on science principles

Straightforward: 2

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 3

Practical Comments: Fairly straightforward

Total Effective + Authority Score: 6

Total Overall Score: 16

|  Appendix 3 - Ecosystem Initiatives |