Center for landscape Science Charter
1.
TITLE, AN D
STATION
Ce nte r for l a ndscape Science
Research Center of EKcellence
Rocky Mountain Research Stalion
2.
CENTER
LOCATION
Rocky Mountilln Research St ation, all locations
3.
CENTER
DIRECTOR
Samu el Cushman
CLS Cent er Direct or
Rocky Mountain Research Station
2500 S Pine Knoll Or,
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
4.
PURPOSE AND
The value of a landSC<lpe perspective is now widely recogn iled in the resource
management community. This perspective offers a useful framewo rk fo r considering
many resource management Issues t hat often are In conflict. The integration of t hese
NEED
multiple resou rces and management objectives In a rigorous and coherent manner Is
f undamenta lly alandscapc ecology pro blem. Th ere Is a need fo r advanced research and
m anagement applications In landscap o ccology In the Rocky Mou nta in region, Local
management dedslons should be guided by the broader ecological and social contexts In
which the project exists. Climate change, f lre,lnvasive species, Insect and disease
outbreaks, managing endangered spedes and human-environment interactions arc
examples of resource management issues t hat can benefit from applying the science of
landscape ecology. The overall purpose for the eenler for Landscape Science (ClSI is to
promote commun ication, coordin ation and synergy among RMRS scientists engaged in
landscape ecology research to Increase scienti fic product ivity and competltiveness of the
Stat ion In obtaining external fu nds t o support researc h. The central purpose of the
Center Is t o make the Station st ronge r by Improving coor dination among station
scientist s and Increasing compet itiveness in obtaining ext ernal fu nds. Thi s will help
incrl!asQ resources fl owing into t he Station, and Increase the product ivity and relevance
of the Station's resea rch.
The mission of the Center f or l;Indscape Science (CLSI is to deVelop, synthesize and
deliver scientifi c knowledge of ecology, genetics, climate change, disturbance regimes,
monitoring. conservation, and adaptive management across mult iple use landscapes .
Further,
•
5.
MISSIO N
•
•
The overall gOll! o f t ht! CLS is to make RMRS a recogn ize d leader in landscape
science dev[)lopment and application for use In nat ural resource man;)gcmcnt
and conservation.
The CLS would provide a central node for landscape research ilnd for
appltcatlons throughout t he Rocky Mountains, nationally, and globally.
CLS will provide cross-program, inter-agency, researc h and science support for
landscape managers.
Th e establishment of the CLS NCenter of Excellence" formally recog nizes the va!ue of a
Center [or Lcme/scope SciCllce
1
landscape approach to addressing many compelling resource management Issues and
problems. It also recognizes the existing reputation of RMRS research in a number of
art!as of landscape science. RMRS scientists arc recognized as worl d leaders in landscape
ecology, landscape genetics, relationships between climate change and disturbance
regimes, and landsc~pe monitoring to support adaptive m~nagement. RMRS science
programs have extensive landscape science expertise, bu t it Isn't well integratc>d and
coo rdi nated. The Center w ill pro vide coo rdinatio n ~nd f~ cll itate the bu il ding of synergies
among all RMRS science Programs' eff orts. The Center fo r lan dscape Science will
Improve communication <l nd coordin ation among Station scien ti sts engaged in
landscape ecology rl!search. This will Improve efficiency and synergy, r educe redund,lOcy
of duplicat e efforts and substantially improve overall scientific productivity In tne
Center's topic areas. The Center will foster coordinated and aggressive pursuit of
external funds to support tne Center's re~earch effort s. This will substantially Increase
th e inflow of resea rch fu nds Into tne Station .
6.
ESTIMATED
DURATION
7.
FOCAL RESEARCH
AREAS
The ClS Center Cna rter will align wltn tne Science Program cnarters. Duration wlll be
congruent with t ne durati on of exist ing RM RS Program Cnil rte rs. Thus, this charter wi ll
be in effect tnrough th!; t:nd of 2020. Tne Cha rt er wi ll be rev iewt:d afte r fi ve ye~rs from
t ne t ime of signature t o evaluate con5istency with the program of work, continued
relevancy, finanCing, personnel, and accomplishments. Amendmt!nts may be made as
appropriat e, proposed by tn e ClS Center Director and approved by tne Leader5hip Team.
Participating units may elect to termina te tne program after full discussion amo ng aU
Involved parties during the course of th e Charter time period.
Tne ClS scope of work will include a broad range of basic and applied research in
landscape ecology. The center will develop, syntnesize and deliver kn owledge In t ne
areas of la ndscape ecology, genetics, cl im ate change, disturbance regimes,
monltorlng, conserva tion and adaptive management (Figure 1). We will Initially
explore six fo cal research ilreas :
(i) Predicting cnanges to the dlstributlun, abundance, and connectivity among
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
mu ltiple plant and animal populat ions innabitlng managed and natural
landscapes (modeling).
Studying the effects of natufill and hum<ln-caused disturbances Including
invasive species on t he structure ~ nd fU nction of ecosystems that comprise
landscapes of interest (experiments).
Developing advanced scientific met nods for multiple-resource monitoring to
support adaptive management (monitoring).
Developing decision support tools for simulating landscape dynamics,
quantifying landscape patterns, and communica t ing ou r understanding of
lilndscape processes (tool development).
Studying population genetics and evolution in spatia lly complex and nonequi libriu m environments (landscape genetics).
(6) Ident ifying landscape layouts t hat best meet management objectives
(spatial optimization).
These six foca l areas are in itia lly chosen as RM RS scientists have existing strong
researcn effo rts in these areas. This list of focus areas will evolve over time through
the input of the participating RMRS scientists, our external collaborators anu the user
Center for Landscape Science
2
commu nity at large.
Rocky Mountain Center For landscape Science
A u.s. Forest SoNbl RO&eOfcn CentOf of El!CQ!Iooco
DeveJopillg, 9ynthoest:r.~lg Md delivering li!w"ld,eape-scale knowled!lO of ecology. genotico,
climate change, dIsturbance regim$3, monitoring, conservation alld a(!apUve management
Landscape
Spallal
I ~~~~::::=f:::::::-;I-:"":~E~x~p~e~ri~m~e~nl~sJ
Opti mj~"1t1on !-=
Tool
Development
Scope of Work
Figure 1. The CLS scope of work will focus on the development, synt hesis and delivery
of knowledge in a wide range of landscape ecology topic areas, with Initial focus on
monitoring, modeling landscape genet ics, experiments, spatial opthnlzatJon and tool
development.
8.
MANAGEMEN1
APPLlCA1IONS
AN D TECHNOlOGY
TRANSFER
Center for Landscape Science
CLS is uniquely positioned 10 serve a key role In assisting manilgers to develop and
apply science-based Solullons to natural resource management problems. 1he Center
is a "'Science First " organization, with its primary mission focused on developing
rigorous core scientific knowledge on a broa d range of landscape-lcvcl questions. The
Ccn ter will be strongly committed t o working w ith t he milnilgement community to
guide resea rch topic deve lopment , and in transferring and applying the knowledge
developed. The Center's efforts to apply and transfe r knowledge will be done in
conjunction with Science Applications and Integration Program. 1he Center's initial
efforts in management applications and technology transfer will focus on developing
and offering short-courses and work shops in landscape ecology, landscape simulation
modeling, landscape pattern analysis, monitoring and adaptive management. We will
continue t he development and offe ri ng of t he National Advanced Silviculture Program
short cou rse In Land scape Eco logy, to be offere d In two week sessions twice il year in
Flagsta ff Arlzona. In addition, we will develop and offer work shops and t raining in the
use ilOd Interpretation of FRAGST ATS software to quantify landscape patterns. We
will contirlUe development and offering of workshops and training in the use of
landscape dynamiC simulation models t o evaluate eff ects of different dist urbance
regime changes on the dynamics and range of t he composition and structure of
vegetation mOSilics in complex landscapes. In ad dition, w e wil l develop and offer
workshops in the use ilnd Interpretati on of gra dient modeli ng ap proadl es to predict
species distributions an d changes In ranges under alterniltive management and
climate change scenarios.
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9,
INTERNAL
COMMUNICATION
AND
COORDINATION
10, EXTERNAL
COMMUNICATION
AND
COORDINATION
11, PROGRAM
STAFFING,
ASSIGNMENTS,
AND LOCATIONS
There willue mu ltiple levels of Internal communication ,md coord ination among
5clemlsts participating In th e ClS, and between the Science Program. The Program
Manager for th e Science Program in which t he CLS Centt!r Director resides will serve
as the liaison between the Center <lnd t he St~tio n Leadershi p Team and Station
Director. The PM will be the conduit for communlc<ltion between tht! LT and t he CLS
Center Directo r, ensuring direct and rapid communication between the LT and t he
Center. The CLS Center Director Is a scient ist who will collaborate with othe r RMRS
research ers in conducting reseilrch within the Center's foca l research areas. The CLS
Center Director w ill il lso coordi nate the Center's work and will schedule, advertise
and lead conference ca lls and meetings with scientists as needed. The purpose of
these calls and meetings Is to engClge interested participants and discuss ongoing
work, upcoming initiatives, opportunities for coll<lbor<l t lon, and fun ding. The Cent er
will also develop and maintain a Guogle Groups blog page that all participants can
access, edit and contribute to. This w ill be an efficient means for posting and
dIscussing new information and deve loping collabora t ions and joint work efforts.
There will also be multiple levels of external communication and coordination among
scient ists p<lrticipating in t he Cl S. First, t he CLS Center Director will work with the
Program Manager t o schedule, adve rtise and lead annual conference calls with
external groups interest ed In the Center's work. These might include NFS m<lnagers,
and other Federal, State, Triba l and NGO managers. The purpose of these calls Is to
keep alJ Interested external entit ies informe d as to ongoing work, and to solicit
feedback on past work, and advice for topics, iocatlons and Issues f or future efforts.
Second, the Center w ill maintain a website designed to clearly and efficiently
commun icate: (1) o ur miSSion, (2) our focus, (3) who we are, (4) our current pruJects
to an external audience. The Program Manager will solicit Station level
communications support for prepa ra tion and distribution of bri efing materials for a
variety of internllf and externa l uses.
Any RMRS scientist interested in col laborating and participating Is welcome to join the
Center. Participants may work on any topic wit hin or outside of t he scope of the CLS
foc al tese<lrch areClS and may collaborate or work independently as they see fit. The
Center is a zero sum cre<ltion, requesti ng no Initial special funding or admin istrative
sup~ort. As such, it is primarily an official recogn ition of existing researc h structures
and exist ing fUnding. The CLS Center Direct or w ill direct the Center's work from
his/her duty st ation. The Center has an extensive net work of col laborators, partner
and cl ients.
RMRS Collaborations
The basic operating principle f or t he CLS is openness iJnd flexibility. All RMRS
scientists are welcomed to participate In t he Cent er in the way and degree they see
fit. There is no mandate fo r researchers working on landscape ecological projects to
forma lly Involve the Cenl er in their work. Rather, the Center provides a structure that
can be used by individual researchers to provide enhanced visibility and
communication of their work, promote collaboration, and facilitate acquisition of
funding. The CLS incorporiltes a nu mber of RM RS cross"prop,rilm research projec ts,
Involving t he all seven RMRS research programs.
Center for Landscape Science
4
collaboration with Universities
External partnerships wit h university researchers are a key to effective t<xt<cution of
t he RMRS CLS miss ion. CLS welcomes collaborations with university scient ists and
graduate students on any topic related to the Center's mission. ClS Inheri ts a large
numbe r of productive resea rch relationships with universities, whic h will provide an
outstanding foundation fo r t he Cl S resea rch effort.
Collaborations with Governmental Research OrganizatIons
Pa rt nerships with governmental age nclt<s and organizations are critical to
accomplish ing t he Center's mission. The CLS will actively communicate with federal,
state, and triba l ma nagement agencies. There a re t wo primary purposes for this
communication, First. it will in fo rm the user commun ity abo ut t he Center's existence,
mission, work and prodUcts, which are critical for the Center's rele vance and impact.
Second, we will actively solicit input from the use r community on topics <lnd Issues of
particular importance to ma nClge rs. ClS Inheri ts a number of ongoing research
projects involving multiple fede ra l and state entities, Incl uding proJecb with
researchers at several other FS Research Stations, USGS Biologica l Science Centers,
State na tu ral resou rces management agencies, Tribes and the Western Environmental
Threats Assessment Center.
Relationship with Climate Science Cen ters and Landscape Conservation Coop eratives
The regio nal Climate Scie nce Centers {CSCs) Clnd lan dscape Conservation
Cooperatives (LCes) provide a major focus fo r curren t and future landscCl pc-scale
research, particU la rly on topics rcl<lted to cllm<lte change im pacts and adapt<l tlon. The
ClS Is un iquely positioned to integrate with three reglonill Climate Science Centers
and four landscape Conse rV<ltlon Cooperat ives. Center scient ists' e~ l sting research
programs have already established strong a nd productive collaborations with four
lCCs. The CLS Is also excellently positioned to integr~te resea rch with t he th ree
Ciim<lte Science Centers in t he western United States. Th ese productive connec tions
wit h tile LCCs Cln d CSCs are essential to t he successfu l linkage of the ClS with majo r
regional researc h initiatives, as well as high likelihood of success In securing additional
research fundine for t hese efforts.
12. BUDGET AND
FUNDING
The Center Is a zero-sum entity that requests no speci<ll fu nding allocations.
Resea rch wi thi n the Cente r will be funded th ro ugh grants and agreeme nts wit h
pClrtner and cl ient organizat ions. Participating RMRS scientists and profe ssiona ls
wil l be expected to actively see k fu nding to support t heir projects.
13. FACILITIES AND
EQUIPMENT
The Ce nter req uests no addlt ional facilities other t h;]n those currently assillned to
t he RMRS scientists anc professiona ls that participClte as part of Cl S
14. COOPERATION
CLS Is Cl cooperative network of researchers spanning an immense num ber of
federCl I, State, un iversity, trib<ll and non-gove rn men tal organizations. As such, (t Is
built on a model of cooperation a nd networking among all partne rs to maximize
inclusiveness and efficiency in advancing and delivering scientific knowledge on a
broad ra nge of landscilpe ecology topics.
Center
(or Landscape Scietlce
5
15. PROGRAM
M AN AGEM ENT,
OVERSIGHT, AND
SUPPORT
Governance of the Center will be within t he Science Program In which the CLS
Center Director resides. The governance structure will be similar to existing RMRS
centers (I.e. ALWRI, RO&A, FEIS etc). The CLS Center Director will be an RMRS
scientist. The CLS Center Director wi1llead inciusive and collaboratfve discussions
wi th RMRS and other resea rch and management partners to set the research
priorities, and develop a detailed strategic plan. The CLS C!!nter Director will
continue to report activities to the Forest and Woodlands Ecosystems Science
(FWE) Program Manager. We commit to having iln Operating Plan finalized within
six months of chartering. The Operating Plan w ill clarify the Center's strategic
vision, iln d focus effort on t he most promising opportunities t o produce t he most
value to t ne resea rch and management communit ies, and att ract reso urces to
support t he Center's work. The Center adopt s a model of openness and
inclusiveness. Any RMRS scientist Interested in collaborating and participating is
welcome to join the discussion. participants may work on any topic within or
ou tside of t he scope of t he CLS focal areas and may collaborat e or work
independently as t hey see fit. All RMRS pa rticipants wHi rema in under t he authority
of t heir existing resea rch Programs and will follow the guidance of t hose Program
Managers and Charters. The CLS Center Director will not have supervisory authority
over any of the RMRS scientists or professionals who voluntarily agree t o
pa rticipate In the CLS efforts. The CLS Center Director's role is to provide st rategiC
guidance and direction to t he overall CLS; to mark et the research expertise and
capac ltv to potential funding institutions and resource management clients; and to
develop funding streams to support the Center. The CLS Cent er Director will be
appointed by the RMRS Leadership Team, and win have a tenure of five years. At
thc five·vear Center Review, t he Leodership Team may decide to appoint a new CLS
Center Direct or or retain t he existinR CLS Center Director.
16. ANN UA L WORK
An annual work plan will be developed by the CLS Center Director based on Input
from the user community, including participating scientists and external partners.
To reduce red undancy and excessive reporting wor k, the workplan will be
completed In combinat ion the previous year' s ann llal report. These plans will be
comple t ed durIng the first quart er of each new fiscal year. The annual work plan
will be reviewed and approved by the Program Manilger In the program In which
the CLS Center Director resides.
PLANNING AN D
AC COMPLISHM ENT
REPORTING
Center for I..andscupe Science
6
Cente r fo r Landscape Science, Center of Excellence - PRO GRAM CHARTERAPPR OVAl
•••
Forests and Woodland Ecosystems Science
Program Manager, Rocky M ountain Research
Station
JJ S
,
---:--'-1 --
~~ ...........
Director, Rocky Mountain Researcll Station
Manager
Dmcer for Landscape Sc(enCfI
7