GOAL III: TO MAINTAIN NATIVE PRAIRIE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Progress Summary - submitted Dr. Stephen Davis (EC-CWS)

GOAL GROUP III MEMBERS: Dr. Alan Iwaasa (AAFC-SPARC), Robert Sissons (PC-GNP), Dr. Glenn Sutter (RSM), Bob Godwin (SRC), Dr. Joe Schmutz (UofS), Dr. Stephen Davis (EC-CWS)

Objective 1: Improve our understanding of native prairie biological diversity

PCAP partners have been very active conducting studies and surveys on a variety of plant and animal species in Saskatchewan. Much of the data collected pertains to species occurrence and habitat requirements and is prerequisite to further research focused on how land management practices affect populations. Furthermore, emphasis has been placed on species research (especially birds) with a few studies examining communities or ecosystems. Much progress has also been made in developing planning tools and models to help guide management decisions and action. PCAP partners are clearly taking advantage of new technologies and becoming more strategic in their conservation planning efforts. All of this has definitely increased our understanding of native prairie biological diversity. The key is to translate this information into action.

Objective 2: Promote management of native prairie to maintain biological diversity

PCAP partners continue to develop and maintain important and diverse partnerships for identifying and communicating best management practices that benefit native prairie biological diversity. In fact, partnerships have become such a routine way of doing business such that many PCAP partners likely under-report the amount of information exchange that occurs among the partnership and beyond. National programs such as the Agriculture Policy Framework, particularly on-farm planning and will continue to contribute to this objective in the future.

Objective 3: Control the threat and impact of introduced invasive species to native prairie

Invasive species have been identified as one of the greatest threats to native biological diversity. Although many partners have been conducting individual projects in attempts to identify ways to manage and control invasive species, the threat continues to outweigh these control efforts.

Much headway has been made in making landowners and producers aware of the negative impacts on native species. PCAP Partners continue to discourage or disallow the use of exotic species in their programs, but the use of exotic species is still permitted in some federal agriculture programs. However, AAFC’s Greencover Canada program encourages the use of native species and we have seen a substantial number of acres seeded to native species compared to previous years. A coordinated approach is required to identify areas currently impacted by exotic species and to determine those areas most at risk. Furthermore strong policy and legislation is required regarding exotic species and ways to control and eliminate them. The National Invasive Alien Working Group and Provincial Invasive Exotic Species Strategy have potential, but more institutional support is required for these initiatives to help contribute to this PCAP objective.

Objective 4: Promote restoration and recovery of native prairie ecosystems

PCAP partners have been very active promoting native prairie restoration and recovery. AAFC-SPARC has clearly taken the lead in promoting and conducting applied research concerning prairie restoration. AAFC’s Greencover Canada program has seen a marked increase in the demand for native seeds to the extent that the supply may not be able keep up with the demand for some species. PCAP Partners continue to be involved in recovery planning for species at risk and informing producers about SARA legislation. More effort may be needed once issues regarding critical habitat are identified.