SCIENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT OF RAVENS TOOL (SMART): A WEB-BASED APPLICATION FOR ADAPTIVE RAVEN MANAGEMENT

Cali L Roth; US Geological Survey; croth@usgs.gov; Seth J. Dettenmaier, Peter S. Coates, Sarah C. Webster, Shawn T O'Neil, Brianne Brussee

Common raven (Corvus corax; raven) populations are increasing and expanding across North America, affecting ranching and agriculture, human health, and sensitive species conservation. Therefore, managers need science-driven adaptive management plans for ravens that support multiple management goals. We developed the Science-based Management of Ravens Tool (SMaRT), a web-based application that guides managers through a tiered adaptive management framework to develop a customized plan for their area of interest and management objectives. Within the SMaRT interface, users can: (1) interact with pre-loaded maps of raven occurrence and density and define their areas of interest within the Great Basin to delineate proposed management sites; (2) enter site-level density estimates from distance sampling methods or estimate raven densities using a rapid assessment function or pre-existing density surface; (3) compare site-level density estimates to an ecological threshold; and (4) produce a tiered list of management options. The SMaRT supports decision-making by operationalizing scientific products for raven management and facilitates realization of diverse management goals addressing raven overabundance and expansion. We illustrate the use of the SMaRT using an example of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) conservation efforts within the Great Basin. Findings are preliminary, are provided for timely science communication, and subject to change.

Raven Management for Conservation Outcomes  Zoom Presentation