Conserving Biological Diversity and the Conservation Reserve Program

ABSTRACT The lack of success with the endangered species approach to conserving biodiversity has led to calls for programs that are designed to maintain viable populations of species before they become endangered. While wildlife preserves are an important component of biodiversity conservation, effective protection of species will often take place on land that is used primarily for purposes other than wildlife habitat. The suitability of these lands as wildlife habitat can be influenced by government programs. An important example of a program affecting agricultural land use is the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which is the largest land retirement program in US. history. The expected down‐sizing of the program in the mid 90s sharpens the need for improved targeting if the program is to continue to provide wildlife benefits. This paper studies how well the current CRP fares as a biodiversity conservation program and suggests possible ways to target the CRP to conserve wildlife habitat. A methodology for tackling this task in Oregon is outlined.