Biological Sciences
Cheryl B. Schultz
Conservaton Strategies for At-Risk Species
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Preserving wildlife species is not simply a matter of setting aside blocks of land and banning development of roads, buildings, sewers, etc. In fact, just cordoning off land may not succeed in conserving species at risk.
Any comprehensive and practical approach to species conservation must begin with a detailed understanding of the particular species. Field data collection and quantitative analysis can be used to develop a picture of a species’ needs throughout its life cycle. From this enhanced understanding it becomes possible to develop test conservation strategies. These tests need to consider the life-cycle needs of the species, interactions with other species, and human development needs.
To investigate these questions, Dr. Schultz focuses on butterflies in western Oregon and Washington and their declining prairie habitats. The Fender’s blue is a Federally Endangered butterfly native to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Dr. Schultz’s research has led to an increased understanding of dispersal behavior and population dynamics of the Fender’s blue. This information is being used to design reserves and to restore habitat within a matrix of urban and agricultural land, helping state and local agencies in Eugene with important land use decisions.
New research is being conducted on the Puget blue butterfly in Washington’s South Puget Sound. Using a different approach, Dr. Schultz and her team of researchers are experimenting with captive rearing in the laboratory. Early results suggest that captive-reared butterflies are substantially smaller than their wild counterparts. Dr. Schultz is working with the Oregon Zoo and other agencies to develop rearing protocols that minimize these and other negative impacts of propagation programs.
These initiatives show considerable promise for providing novel techniques that will enhance preservation efforts. They provide sound scientific basis for the conservation and restoration of at-risk species, and can guide land-use planning in ways that are responsive to wildlife preservation.
Contact
Information
Cheryl B. Schultz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
School of Biological Sciences
Washington State University Vancouver
14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98686-9600
Telephone: 360-546-9525
E-mail: schultzc@vancouver.wsu.edu |
