Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment

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Gulf of Maine Library Collection

Identification of Species for Priority Habitats

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Gulf of Maine Project

Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment

In 1990, the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (Council) was established as an effort to address transboundary issues related to Gulf resources. The Council is organized by the governors of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, and the Premiers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, under the international Agreement on the Conservation of the Marine Environment of the Gulf of Maine. The Council and its Working Group, representing a partnership of several federal, state, and local agencies and private organizations, in 1991 adopted a Gulf Action Plan, outlining priorities on which to focus collective efforts.

The Action Plan's mission is "to maintain and enhance environmental quality in the Gulf of Maine and to allow for sustainable use by existing and future generations." The Plan identifies seven high priority objectives, among which are protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat within the Gulf region. This includes the development of a systematic approach for identifying, classifying and protecting regionally significant habitats. As a participant in the Plan's implementation, the Gulf of Maine Project of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is coordinating an international, multi-state, and non-governmental organizational effort to design and implement such an approach.

HABITAT IDENTIFICATION APPROACH

During October 1992, the Gulf of Maine Project, in association with the Gulf of Maine Council, convened a workshop in St. Andrews, New Brunswick to begin implementation of the Habitat Protection goals in the Action Plan. Participants included marine, wildlife, and other natural resource agencies from the states and provinces, as well as federal agencies and non-governmental organizations. One of the goals of the workshop was to initiate a coordinated, comprehensive, systematic approach for identifying priority fish and wildlife habitats in the Gulf of Maine region.

At the workshop, the Gulf of Maine Project proposed using a step-wise approach to the task (Fig. 1), in which responsible agencies from each state or province, federal agencies, and representative non-governmental organizations would work together to develop criteria for ranking species, and then apply these criteria to develop a list of priority fish, wildlife and plants for the region. Since habitats are the places where species live, the nomination and ranking of important species is an effective means of identifying such regionally significant habitats.

HABITAT PANEL

Subsequent to the habitat workshop, the Gulf of Maine Council's Working Group nominated individuals in the representative agencies and non-governmental organizations to serve on a Habitat Panel to implement priority habitat identification. Expertise, data, and opinions from agencies and organizations familiar with marine, freshwater, and terrestrial life of the Gulf of Maine and its watershed would be vital for constructing the species list. Moreover, the criteria for rating species would reflect the mandates and interests of these agencies and groups. It was recommended that a representative from the wildlife/freshwater fish and the marine resource agencies of each federal, state and provincial entity and up to two non-governmental organizations per state or province be appointed as a participant on the Habitat Panel. Members are listed in Fig. 2.

SPECIES RANKING CRITERIA

At the heart of the species ranking process were criteria that could be applied to any group of species. These criteria were developed incrementally, including input from representatives of concerned agencies and groups and their colleagues, with opportunities to revise positions during several iterations. The iterative process was devised as a way of gaining consensus on the relative value of resources.

The first step identified criteria (see table) that represent the social, economic, and environmental reasons behind the preferences or mandates of the public, private interests, and governmental agencies. Next, these criteria were assigned weights. Candidate species were then nominated, and were scored by participants according to the criteria. A species' total score was determined by both the number of applicable criteria and the weight assigned to each of these criteria. This sequence allowed a great deal of input, while at the same time limited the effects of unconscious biases of agency or group representatives. The rationally-derived criteria melded the diverse interests of agencies and organizations, and their disparate views on priority species, into a list with a regional perspective.

SPECIES LIST

The resulting ranked species list (see table) was acceptedly the Committee as the product of a consensus approach to species identification. The species themselves, and their rankings, are not the ultimate focus of this effort, but were chosen as a means to select regionally significant habitats, the task specified by the Council. The list is inclusive of all categories of species in the region, with a focus on coastal species that rely on the Gulf. A great variety of species and taxonomic categories emerged as of interest to participants, and all will be important in locating priority habitats.

WHERE WE GO FROM HERE

The species list will next be used as a focus for identifying habitats. For each area, scores for each species can be added, accounting for both the numbers of species using the area and the weighted accorded each species. Protecting habitats for the top-ranked species will also tend to protect habitats for lower-ranked species in the same area.

With the active support of agencies and organizations on the Committee, habitat models will be developed from information about each species' distribution, habitat characteristics, and needs and tolerances during various life history stages. Ecological data such as upland, wetland, or water cover types, bathymetry, soil/substrate, salinity/hydrology, and other types of data will be used to locate and display habitats, using a GIS. Known species distribution data will be used to test and verify predicted habitats.

Once the habitats have been identified, the protection status of these habitats and threats to them will be determined. Working with the wide variety of habitat protection measures available in each jurisdiction, watershed management plans will be developed that identify long term management and restoration needs, and projects will be implemented to protect and restore priority habitats throughout the Gulf of Maine.

SPECIES RANKING CRITERIA

A. Importance to environmental, scientific, commercial or other special interest groups (species sought out or portrayed for consumptive or non-consumptive purposes). Total of up to 16 points.

B. Species listed as endangered, threatened (U.S. designation), vulnerable (designation of Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), or special concern (designation of some states). Total of up to 10 points.

C. Limits/controls on take/harvest of species (state/provincial or federal regulation on numbers/season; listed species (B, above) automatically qualify here also). Total of up to 5 points.

D. Significant decline of population is anticipated (based on trends or expected events). Total of up to 11 points.

E. Strictly tied to specific habitat, locality, or association of cover types, for at least one critical part of its life cycle ("bio-indicator"). Total of up to 9 points.

F. Species dependent on marine or estuarine system for at least part of life cycle. Total of up to 8 points.

G. Abundance has been significantly reduced throughout species' range. Total of up to 9 points.

H. Important predator, prey, or primary producer in terms of energy transfer or controlling populations of other species within the Gulf of Maine. Total of up to 16 points.

I. Species plays a major role in succession or maintenance of community by physically or chemically modifying habitat. Total of up to 11 points.

J. Species occurs in Gulf of Maine year round. Total of 5 points.


SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME

RANK

RANKING CRITERIA
alewife Alosa pseudoharengus 31 A C D E F G H J
alpine woodfern Woodsia alpina 146 A B C D E G H I J
American beach grass Ammophila brevigulata 44 A C D E F G H I J
American eel Anguilla rostrata 139 A C D E F G H J
American lobster Homarus americanus 26 A C D E F G H I J
American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 33 A C D E F G H J
American sand lance Ammodytes americanus 92 A D E F G H J
American shad Alosa sapidissima 21 A C D E F G H J
American smelt Osmerus mordax 57 A C D E F G H J
American woodcock Philohela minor 109 A C D E G H
amphipod Corophium volutator 98 A D E F G H I J
arctic tern Sterna paradisaea 42 A B C D E F G H J
aschelminthean worm Priapulus caudatus 160 A D E F H J
aster Aster anticostensis 80 A B D E G H I J
Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 13 A C D E F G H J
Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 25 A C D E F G H J
Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica 39 A B C D E F G H J
Atlantic Ridley turtle Lepidochelys kempii 18 A B C D E F G
Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 5 A B C D E F G H J
Atlantic tomcod Microgadus tomcod 107 A D E F G H J
Atlantic whitefish Coregonus huntsmani 17 A B C D E F G H J
bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus 35 A B C D E F G H J
banded bog skimmer Williamsonia lintneri 66 A B C D E G H J
bay scallop Aequipecten irradians 27 A C D E F G H I J
beach senecio Senecio pseudo-arnica 104 A D E F G H I J
beggartick Bidens eatonii 62 A B D E F G H I J
birdseye primrose Primula laurentiana 108 A B D E F G H I J
black bear Ursus americanus 78 A C D E G H J
black duck Anas rubripes 58 A C D E F G H J
black legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 100 A C D E F G H J
black racer Coluber constrictor 120 A B C D E G H J
Blandings turtle Emys blandingi 88 A B C D E G H J
blinks Montia fontana 79 A B D E F G H I J
bloodworm Glycera dibranchiata 34 A C D E F G H I J
blue mussel Mytilus edulis 14 A C D E F G H I J
bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus 49 A B C D E F G H
bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 69 A C D E F G H
bottle brush grass Hystrix patula bigeloviana 115 A B D E G H I J
box turtle Terrapene carolina 86 A B C D E F G H J
brittlestar Ophiura sarsi 103 A D E F H I J
brook trout (anadromous) Salvelinus fontinalis 41 A C D E F G H J
Canada goose Branta canadensis 65 A C D E F G H J
Cetrariastrum catawbiense Cetrariastrum catawbiense 123 A D E G H I J
Cladina terrae-novae Cladina terrae-novae 131 A D E F G H I J
common dolphin Delphinus delphis 55 A C D E F G H J
common eider Somateria mollissima 46 A C D E F G H J
common loon Gavia immer 16 A B C D E F G H J
common murre Uria aalge 75 A C D E F G H J
common tern Sterna hirundo 47 A B C D E F G H
copepod Eurytemora herdmani 129 A E F H J
copepod Calanus glacialis 125 A E F H J
copepod Calanus finmarchicus 130 A E F H I J
copepod "bluefeed" Anomalocera paterssoni 137 A D E F H J
cordgrass Spartina alterniflora 22 A D E F G H I J
curlygrass fern Schizaea pusilla 114 A D E G H I J
diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin 24 A B C D E F G H J
diatom Nitzschia sp. 141 A E F H J
diatom Gyrosigma sp. 144 A E F H I J
dinoflagellate Gonyaulax sp. 140 A E F H I J
dulse Palmaria palmata 54 A C D E F G H I J
eelgrass Zostera marina 12 A D E F G H I J
euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica 117 A E F H J
finback whale Balaenoptera physalus 20 A B C D E F G H J
flying squid Illex illecebrosus 71 A C D E F G H J
foraminifera Globulimina auriculata 151 A E F H I J
foraminifera Ammotium cassis 156 A E F H I J
furbish lousewort Pedicularis furbishiae 63 A B C D E G H I J
golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos 83 A B C D E G H J
goldenrod Solidago multiradiata 136 A D E G H I J
grass shrimp Palaeomonetes pugio 113 A C D E F H J
grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum 87 A B C D E G H
gray cheeked thrush Catharus minimus bicknelli 128 A B C D E G H
gray seal Halichoerus grypus 106 A C D E F G H J
great blue heron Ardea herodias 81 A C D E F G H I
great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 64 A B C D E F G H I J
greater shearwater Puffinus gravis 90 A C D E F G H
green crab Carcinas maenas 142 A E F H I J
green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droehbachiensis 10 A C D E F G H I J
haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinis 19 A C D E F G H J
harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena 6 A B C D E F G H J
harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus 50 A B C D E F G H
herring Clupea harengus 15 A B C D E F G H J
horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus 70 A D E F G H J
horsetail kelp Laminaria digitata 45 A D E F G H I J
humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae 30 A B C D E F G H I J
Irish moss Chondrus crispus 1 A C D E F G H I J
Karner blue butterfly Lycaeides melissa samuelis 37 A B C D E G H J
landlocked Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus 91 A B C D E G H J
Leach's storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa 84 A B C D E F G H I J
least tern Sterna albifrons 56 A B C D E F G H
leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea 60 A B C D E F G H
lions mane Cyanea capillata 159 A E F H I J
little skate Raja erinacea 132 A D E F H I J
longhorn sculpin Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus 149 A D E F H J
Long's bittercrest Cardaminae longii 72 A B D E F G H I J
maidenhair spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes 150 A D E G H I J
marsh felwort Lomatogonium rotatum 121 A D E F G H I J
mountain mint Pycnanthemum virginianum 155 A D E G H I J
mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus 82 A D E F G H J
mysid Neomysis americana 127 A E F H J
narrow-leaf arnica Arnica augustifolia lonchophylla 135 A D E G H I J
New England cottontail Sylvilagus transitionalis 94 A B C D E G H J
northern comandra Geocaulon lividum 116 A B D E G H I J
northern harrier Circus cyaneus 119 A B C D E F G H
northern phalarope Lobipes lobatus 95 A B C D E F G H
osprey Pandion haliaetus 73 A B C D E F G H
Oxytropis deflexa foliolosa Oxytropis deflexa foliolosa 158 A B D E G H I J
pearl mussel Marguaritifera margaritifera 101 A D E F G H I J
peat moss Sphagnum flavicomans 93 A D E G H I J
peregrine falcon Falco perigrinus 61 A B C D E F G H
periwinkles Littorina littorea 32 A C D E F G H I J
piping plover Charadrius melodus 40 A B C D E F G H
pogy Brevoortia tyrannus 77 A C D E F G H J
pollock Pollachius virens 23 A C D E F G H J
Pterospora andromedea Pterospora andromedea 122 A D E G H I J
quahog Mercenaria mercenaria 28 A C D E F G H I J
Rand's eyebright Euphrasia randii 118 A D E F G H I J
razorbill Alca torda 74 A B C D E F G H I J
red knot Calidris canutus 96 A C D E F G H
red phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 124 A C D E F G H
red spruce Picea rubens 67 A D E G H I J
redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus 153 A C D E G H J
redfish Sebastes marinus 52 A C D E F G H J
ribbon snake Thamnophis sauritus 147 A B C D E G H J
right whale Eubalaena glacialis 9 A B C D E F G H J
river otter Lutra canadensis 85 A C D E F G H J
rockweed Ascophylum nodusum 4 A C D E F G H I J
roseate tern Sterna dougallii dougallii 43 A B C D E F G H
sand worm Nereis virens 59 A C D E F G H I J
saxifrage Saxifraga aizoon 105 A B D E F G H I J
screwstem Bartonia paniculata 110 A B D E G H I J
sea anemone Cerianthus borealis 102 A D E F H I J
sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus 161 A D E F G H J
sea lavender Limonium cardinianum 99 A D E F G H I J
sea pen Pennatula aculeata 152 A E F H J
sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 11 A C D E F G H I J
seaside sparrow Ammospiza maritima 111 A C D E F G H
sedge Carex josselynii 133 A D E G H I J
sedge wren Cistothorus platensis 76 A B C D E F G H
sei whale Balaenoptera borealis 8 A B C D E F G H J
semipalmated sandpiper Calidris pusilla 97 A C D E F G H
sharp-tailed sparrow Ammodramus caudacutus 89 A B C D E F G H J
shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 48 A B C D E F G H J
shrimp Pandalus borealis 38 A C D E F G H J
soft shelled clam Mya arenaria 2 A C D E F G H I J
sperm whale Physeter catodon 29 A B C D E F G H
spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 138 A C D E F H J
spotted turtle Clemmys guttata 68 A B C D E G H J
striped bass Morone saxatilus 36 A C D E F G H J
threadleafed sundew Drosera filiformis 51 A B C D E F G H I J
trumpet worm Cysteneides gouldii 145 A D E F H I J
truncate angel wing barnea truncata 112 A D E F H I J
tufted red weed Gigartina stellata 3 A C D E F H I J
upland sandpiper Bartramia longicauda 126 A B C D E G H
water pipit Anthus spinoletta 157 A B C D E G H
white rice grass Leersia virginica 154 A D E G H I J
Whitlow-grass Draba lanceolata 143 A B D E G H I J
willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus 148 A C D E F G H
winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus 7 A C D E F G H J
witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 53 A C D E F G H J
yellow screwstem Bartonia virginica 134 A D E F G H I J