A Framework for Evaluating Mechanisms to Support Seasonal Migratory Species

Abstract

Effectively supporting seasonal migratory species requires spatial and temporal coordination of mechanisms to induce conservation, often across many public and private actors. We develop a framework to evaluate the efficacy of such mechanisms based on two salient ecological characteristics of migratory species: route plasticity and resilience. We describe how combinations of these characteristics heighten the relevance of four challenges facing spatial–temporal coordination of migratory species support: free riding, holdouts, transaction costs, and transnational coordination. After detailing how the available mechanisms might best meet migratory species’ needs and mitigate coordination challenges across resilience and route plasticity space, we use the framework to identify combinations of mechanisms that can support the needs of two migratory species: mule deer and monarchs.