A Comparison of Relative Biological Value, Habitat Vulnerability, and Cumulative Ecological Risk among Biogeographic Provinces in Southeastern Alaska

Because species, populations and ecological processes occur at a range of spatial scales, it is vital to incorporate a multi-scale approach into an assessment of ecological condition and conservation measures (Poiani et al. 2000). This is consistent with the National Forest Management Act which requires the maintenance of viable and well distributed populations throughout all national forest lands. Thus, an understanding of the relative distribution of habitat values among biogeographic provinces, as well as the current condition and management/conservation status of those values is central to the long-term conservation of species and management of ecological risk throughout the region.