Springsnail Conservation in Nevada and the Great Basin

Springsnail Conservation in Nevada and the Great Basin Jon Sjöberg Nevada Department of Wildlife Nevada Association of Conservation Districts November 7, 2017

What are springsnails? �Tiny freshwater snails that occur in spring and spring brook outflow habitats �Adult springsnails are typically 8 mm or less in length �Highly endemic (unique to specific locations) �At least 83 species in 6 genera known from Nevada �A species may occur in a single, or multiple springs �Multiple species can occur in a single spring and partition based on unique habitats

Springsnails occur throughout Nevada and the Great Basin

�Springsnails can occur in many different spring types Limnocrene Rheocrene �Dependent on constant, consistent spring flows and water chemistry that are stable over time Hillslope

Why do we care? �Springsnails reflect the unique hydrographic history of the Great Basin and surrounding areas �They are a primary indicator of water quality and abundance on the landscape �Springsnail presence shows that groundwater aquifers are in good condition and being maintained �Indicators of good ecological health that maintains conditions for wildlife and economic uses �The failure to maintain these springs and springsnails provides a target for outside efforts to list species and restricts options to manage and maintain our landscapes

Threats to springsnails and habitats �Loss of groundwater flows and maintenance of spring discharge �Poor management of spring habitats �Diversions, capping spring systems and alteration of spring brook habitats �Invasive species �Climate change

Conservation needs �The key to springsnail conservation is conservation of the spring and spring brook habitats that they depend on �Maintaining spring discharge at the source �Good water quality �Seasonally stable flows

Protecting spring channels and outflows that provide springsnail habitats along their length Big Spring, Lockes Ranch, Railroad Valley

Avoid unnecessary disturbance to emergent (in water) and riparian cover that provides springsnail habitat Maintain substrate types that springsnails need for reproduction and survival

A conservation approach �Conservation of springsnails is the conservation of the springs they’re dependent on �We can’t target conservation of all of these species (100+ in Nevada and Utah) individually �The key is having good strategies and methods to protect and maintain spring and spring brook habitats across the landscape �Coordinated efforts consistently applied (BMPs) �Properly functioning springs provide important ecological and economic benefits �Focus on the unique needs of different spring types �Science based �Strategies to engage both public lands and private landowners

A conservation approach �Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Springsnails in Nevada and Utah �Over 100 species of springsnails in NV and UT �The Agreement is a commitment for conservation of these species and habitats by multiple agencies and organizations �NDOW, Utah DWR �US FWS, BLM, US Forest Service, NPS, NRCS �The Nature Conservancy �Next step is development of the Conservation Strategy

A conservation approach �The Conservation Strategy will include: �Conceptual conservation approaches to restore and maintain the function of springs and springsnail habitat needs �Development of a regional database on springsnail information and to track conservation progress �Outreach to engage private landowners and inform partners on conservation methods and approaches

A conservation approach �But – right now the strategy is focused on public land springs and spring habitats: �A significant number of springs, and springsnail species, occur on private lands �How can we engage private landowners and insure that they have input into conservation strategies and a role and ownership in conservation of these species?

The role of NVACD and private landowners �A high percentage of known springsnail populations occur on private lands �Conservation of springs and spring outflow habitats on private lands is absolutely essential to: �Insure the maintenance of properly functioning spring habitats across the landscape �Maintain unique populations of springsnails and other spring-dependent wildlife species �Avoid ESA listing of springsnails and prevent future listing actions

The role of NVACD and private landowners � Conservation Districts have a unique role in facilitating conservation at the local level � Help us identify opportunities for voluntary, incentive based actions that will conserve and protect springs and spring-based resources and habitats � CDs are a critical link in connecting private landowners to resources and opportunities for spring conservation � Help us identify and facilitate strategies for conservation at the local level � Coordinated efforts through NRCS, NDOW and other partners? � Workshops? � Individual and programmatic conservation agreements with private landowners? � Other types of conservation agreements and projects to enhance and protect spring resources?

Positive outcomes �The goal of these conservation efforts is to insure the maintenance of these unique species and habitats in perpetuity and to: �Keep high-quality water resources available on the landscape for wildlife and economic benefits (grazing and agriculture) �Respect the unique needs and role of private landowners and water rights holders �Minimize future regulatory constraints by preventing future ESA listing actions

Positive outcomes �Conserving springs and springsnails means: �Healthy ecosystems that maintain thriving populations of wildlife of all types �Maintaining water on the landscape that’s critical to economic benefits for Nevada communities �Insuring local input and control over these critical resources into the future �Preserving these unique elements of Nevada’s natural heritage for future generations

Questions?