Threats
Threats to Habitats and Species
Wildlife and plant populations face a myriad of threats. In a broad sense, habitat loss and degradation account for the majority of threats, but there are others that can limit or even wipe out species from the state. A plan is necessary to secure our native wildlife and plant species. This Plan begins by identifying and prioritizing the threats known to damage species or degrade their required habitats. The Plan then identifies actions needed to address these threats. Taking conservation action – whether statewide, regionally, or backyard – contributes to the improvement of habitat conditions and are critical to the recovery of listed species and to keep other at-risk species from declining below stable levels.
In this section, we describe the direct threats affecting species and their habitats. Threats come from many different sources, and impacts can be observed at different spatial, temporal, and biological scales. Consequently, the risk of the impacts is wide-ranging, as are the actions needed in response.
By focusing our collective resources (time, talent, and money) on taking targeted conservation actions addressing the greatest threats facing habitats, we have a greater chance of improving the outcomes of the species living in those habitats. People addressing threats may prefer to focus on a region where they live or work.
Threat Prioritization Methodology
To help focus our collective efforts to improve habitats for New Jersey’s declining species, threats were prioritized at two different spatial scales – statewide and regional. Many regions face the same threats but the habitats being impacted, or the actions needed to address those threats, differ between them. Other regions face very different threats. For example, threats in the Kittatinny Ridge are very similar to those in the neighboring region, Kittatinny Valley, but they differ significantly from threats found in Delaware Bay.
To prioritize threats, NJFW selected a large, diverse group of technical stakeholders with expertise in wildlife conservation, ecology, or habitat conservation in specific regions or those with experience with specific threat classes. Over 120 individuals from more than 75 agencies (state, federal, local), non-profit organizations, universities and colleges, and researchers participated in at least one survey. Stakeholders used an updated Threat Classification Lexicon that was adopted by the Northeastern states.
Prioritization was an iterative process done by digital surveys. Survey takers were instructed to consider the following threat characteristics when prioritizing:
- Actionability: The ability or feasibility of a person or organization to take steps to address the threat. Range is low to high.
- Spatial Extent: Consider impact of the threat within 10 years for taxa and 20 years for ecosystems. Range is small to pervasive.
- Urgency or Immediacy: This characteristic assesses the time scale over which impacts of the threat will be observable. Range is long-term (10-100 years) to immediate (current or existing).
- Severity: the degree or probability of impact on a species or habitat within the region. Consider impact of the threat within the spatial extent (above) over the next 10 years for taxa and 20 years for ecosystems. Range is slight to extreme.
A final fatal flaw review was conducted by NJFW and the Technical Advisory Group.
Statewide Threats
Statewide threats are those that affect most regions, like roads or pathogens, or that can only be addressed at the state level, such as drafting regulations. Statewide threats are more likely to be addressed by state, local, or federal government agencies, Fish and Wildlife staff, statewide non-profit organizations, and academics.
See Priority Level 3 threats that were identified as statewide in scope HERE .
Regional Threats
Identifying priority threats within each region allows people and organizations to focus on the direct impacts to habitat or species at a scale that increases the chance of improving the outcome for at-risk species. Regional threats are more likely to be addressed by private and public landowners and managers, local governments, non-profit organizations, and academics.
See Priority Level 3 threats within each region by clicking on the region below.
Master Threat Lexicon Reference
Click HERE to view the Complete Threat Lexicon.