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Habitat
objectives and indicators are pivotal pieces in an effective program.
They are the sentinel elements in determining specific directions
and targets for habitat conservation. Indicators are part of many
policies that are attempting to evaluate habitat issues within Canada
and across North
America. Their use and development are a way to establish partnerships
with agencies with complementary needs (e.g., the Canadian Council
of Forest Ministers, which requires indicators of non-timber values;
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, which requires indicators of habitats
in agricultural areas; many agencies across Canada need peatland/wetland
indicators.
Having
clear landscape/seascape-level habitat objectives and indicators
would:
- Clarify objectives
and indicators to the conservation community;
- Provide clarity and guidance to the resource development community;
- Provide a means for integrating socioeconomic and environmental
interests within an ecosystem context;
- Create a more effective base for structuring inventories and
monitoring systems;
- Create
the basis for strategic operations;
- Target specific problems and solutions;
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Develop knowledge in keeping with ecosystem management and sustainable
resource use;
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Prioritize actions, expenditure of resources, and work areas;
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Provide a means to focus actions and cooperative activities;
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Provide direction and leadership;
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Improve resource management knowledge and warning systems;
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Provide a means to look at habitat quality and quantity;
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Facilitate cross-disciplinary and cross-jurisdictional communication;
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Assess impacts of current policies and programs to create a basis
to adapt and improve; and
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Provide real and accountable measures for performance management
and audits.
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