SUMMARY OF DOI SCIENCE NEEDS RELATED TO SPECIES RECOVERY PROJECTS
Major DOI Responsibilities and Interests	Major Unanswered Questions	Needed Science	Timeline
Meet the recovery needs of particular species on federal, and where possible on nonfederal, lands and waters	Conservation Strategy for the Florida Panther in South Florida
	How do panthers use various habitat types and land uses throughout their ranges? What areas serve as important habitat linkages? How can we cultivate public acceptance of Florida panther population expansion or reintroduction How should the conservation needs of panthers be coordinated with private development and public works projects? How will panther habitat be affected by implementation of the various aspects of the CERP and what will this ultimately mean to panther population viability and distribution over the long term?	Tracking data and analysis Evaluation of potential habitat Public attitude surveys and strategies development Information needed to mitigate the adverse effects of development Research to detect responses to habitat changes	FWS is updating the Florida panther recovery plan. FWS Vero field office has the lead. Schedule Draft: 2005 Final: 2006
	Recovery of Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow
	What actions will restore potential habitat for the Cape Sable seaside sparrow and create opportunities for recolonization? How does subpopulation structure affect the long-term viability of this species?	Study and long-term monitoring of habitat response to hydrologic change and fire Study of Cape Sable seaside sparrow responses to changing habitat conditions Detailed study of small populations Assessment of the importance of genetic exchange among subpopulations	Species Recovery Plans for which the FWS Vero field office has the agency lead are rolled into the MSRP Implementation Schedule Draft: 2004 Final: 2005
	West Indian Manatee: Accessibility to and Mortality and Entrapment Risk in the Central and Southern Florida Canal Systems and Structures
	Where do West Indian manatees enter the C&SF Project canal system? Where do West Indian manatees go once they enter the C&SF Project canal system? What areas in the system pose entrapment risks to West Indian manatees? What management changes are needed to protect manatees?	Database of accessible areas, travel routes, and entrapment risks Tools for managers	CERP Manatee Conservation Plan being Developed – Anticipated Draft FY 2004
Assess the responses of species as a basis for adaptive management Assess the responses of species as a basis for adaptive management	Conservation Strategy for the Florida Panther in South Florida
	What are the effects of management activities and resulting ecological changes on the Florida panther?	Monitoring to detect responses to habitat changes	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment ESA calls for updated recovery plans every 5 years, as needed
	Recovery of Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow
	What are the effects of management activities and resulting ecological changes on the Cape Sable seaside sparrow?	Monitoring of Cape Sable seaside sparrow responses to changing habitat conditions	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment ESA calls for updated recovery plans every 5 years, as needed
	West Indian Manatee: Accessibility to and Mortality and Entrapment Risk in the Central and Southern Florida Canal Systems and Structures
	What are the effects of management activities and resulting ecological changes on the West Indian manatee?	Monitoring and analysis of West Indian manatee response to habitat changes	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment ESA calls for updated recovery plans every 5 years, as needed