COCKPIT COUNTRY SYSTEMS

STEP 1:- IDENTIFY SYSTEMS (and SPECIES) THAT WILL BE CONSERVATION TARGETS

Our Conservation Targets should be selected so as to give the best representation of the levels of biodiversity (i.e., species, communities, ecological systems, and their functional processes in time and space; see end of document for definitions and examples) in Cockpit Country. After reading through the brief overview, a pencil and paper may prove useful.

There are three steps for identifying conservation targets:

1. Define the ecological systems and species groups across temporal and spatial scales (e.g., Regional scale of the insular Caribbean, National scale of Jamaica, Local scale of Cockpit Country, Microsite scale within the cockpit karst system). To facilitate this processes there are two approaches:

1A. "Top-down": identify all ecological systems that characterize the terrestrial, subterranean, and aquatic components

1B. "Bottom-up": consolidate individual species and ecological communities into major groups and ecological systems.

2. Identify specific ecological communities, species, or species groups that occur at the site and have ecological attributes or conservation requirements not adequately captured by those systems or groups previously defined.

2A. Individual species or groups that disperse, travel, or otherwise use resources across different ecological systems - such species help to ensure attention to connectivity of environments.

2B. Individual species or ecological communities that have special conservation or management requirements such that protection of the "umbrella" system is inadequate to ensure target viability.

3. Of the Conservation Targets identified through the first two steps, identify the eight that best meet the following criteria:

3A. Represent the biodiversity at the site

3B. Are highly threatened.

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