A call to action for inventorying and monitoring of cliff ecosystems to support conservation

作者：Georgia R. Harrison, Laura M. Boggess, Sarah E. McCord, Martí March‐Salas · 发表于：Basic and Applied Ecology · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1016/j.baae.2024.07.006 · 被引用次数：10 · 研究领域：Species Distribution and Climate Change、Fire effects on ecosystems、Rangeland and Wildlife Management

Cliffs harbor unique and specialized biodiversity that warrants attention and conservation. At the same time, cliffs are under increased threat from anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. Since cliffs are highly heterogeneous, spatially isolated, and often inaccessible compared to nearby habitats, land managers require up-to-date and site-specific information to protect them. Cliffs are often overlooked due to the technical and logistical challenges posed by surveying these environments, but field inventorying and monitoring can fill this gap. We present three case studies of cliff monitoring in action: mapping populations of the endemic rare plant in the Southern Appalachian Mountains (US), photo-sampling of cliff specialist plants in Spain, and surveying peregrine falcons in Western North Carolina (US). These case studies highlight the application of various monitoring techniques, the possibilities for collaboration among stakeholders, and some ways that data from monitoring can inform cliff conservation and stewardship. To facilitate the development of easy-to-implement monitoring, we outline three approaches and associated best practices for monitoring cliff plants. Methods range from simple photo point monitoring to more in-depth species inventories and could be implemented by community scientists alongside a broader audience interested in providing up-to-date data on cliff environments. We call for action, urging the expansion and advancement of cliff biodiversit...