Tribal Landscape Conservation Case Studies - January 30, 2015
Part 1 – Implementing Ecosystem-based Management in the Central Coast of British Columbia: Heiltsuk Participation in the Strategic
Landscape Reserve Design (SLRD) Process
Description: On behalf of the Heiltsuk Nation, I will present an overview of the project Implementing Ecosystem-based Management in
the Central Coast of British Columbia: Heiltsuk Participation in the Strategic Landscape Reserve Design (SLRD) Process. The project
incorporates Heiltsuk traditional knowledge and values into ecosystem-based management planning in temperate rainforests that comprise
Heiltsuk territorial lands in western Canada. For the project we drew on the Heiltsuk Traditional Use Studies (HTUS), which identify
harvesting and other types of cultural sites important to Heiltsuk well-being. Heiltsuk members visited HTUS sites and collected
spatial and photographic evidence so that culturally important sites and forest resources could be buffered from resource development
activities. The results locate areas for landscape conservation and maintain low ecological risk on the coast while incorporating
cultural sites, biodiversity and fisheries values.
Part 2 – Berry risk mapping and modeling of native and exotic defoliators in Alaska
Description: Beginning in 2008, an outbreak of native Geometrid (Geometridae) moths caused widespread defoliation of salmonberry and
blueberry plants in many Native communities in the Chugach Region, resulting in major berry failures and resource loss. The outbreak
was particularly severe in Port Graham, Nanwalek, and Seldovia. In Seldovia, a tribal for-profit enterprise based on blueberries was
placed in jeopardy because of successive failure of their blueberry crops. This outbreak continued through 2012 when Geometrid populations
began to decline only to be replaced by an exotic leaf roller (Epinotia solandriana). Although this is the first known Geometrid outbreak
in Alaska, in other areas of the world where these same species of moth are native outbreaks return on cycles of approximately 10 years.
This cycle of outbreaks is so regular that Geometrids are used in entomology textbooks as an example of cyclical insects. Hence, we expect
that we will see outbreaks of the Geometrid moths in the future. To prepare for future Geometrid outbreaks we are developing methods to
assess the vulnerability of our subsistence berries to damaging insects, and tools to help us prepare for future impacts. We are currently
developing computer models that will identify areas of potential high quality berry habitat, we intend to use silvicultural treatments to
improve berry habitat in these areas to develop healthy and resilient berry patches that can resist or recover from future geometrid
outbreaks. Authors: Nathan Lojewski, Chugachmiut, Anchorage AK; Robin Reich, Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO; and and John
Lundquist, USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Anchorage AK.
