Introduction: Central Interior Ecoregional Assessment

Abstract

Ecoregional assessments provide a regional scale, biodiversity-based context for implementing conservation efforts by identifying a portfolio of sites for conservation action with a goal of protecting representative biodiversity and ecologically significant populations. The intent of these assessments is to create a shared vision for agencies and other organizations at the regional, state, and local levels to form partnerships and to ensure efficient allocation of conservation resources. The Nature Conservancy of Canada recently completed an ecoregional assessment of British Columbia’s Central Interior, the main components of which are presented as articles in this special issue of the BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management. These components include terrestrial ecosystems and animals, and freshwater ecosystems and species. The assessment also incorporates some new and innovative approaches to considering conservation priorities along with climate change, ecosystem services, and wildlife habitat modelling.

The Central Interior Ecoregional Assessment provides a guide for prioritizing work on the conservation of habitats that support the extraordinary biological diversity of the ecoregion. Issues associated with land use and resource management planning are incredibly complex and this complexity is accelerating as a result of a changing climate and the cumulative effects of human impacts on species and ecosystems. The methods and results described in the following articles reflect the growing body of conservation planning experience.