Prioritizing populations based on recovery potential

For wide-ranging species, it is often too expensive or politically challenging to effectively implement conservation action across their range. In these cases, actions may be vigorously applied where the situation appears most dire, but inadvertently at expense of success more probable. Consequently, prudent use a prioritization approach that highlights areas probable success. Using Southern Mountain Caribou as target we develop simple algorithm integrates scaled habitat quality measures and population characteristics known affect demographics caribou weights them according relative importance defined by expert opinion. The ranks subpopulations status and, result, how likely they are respond additional efforts contribute long-term species persistence. Sensitivity analyses then used measure implications variance among key criteria potential in weighting. transparent method quickly allows for real, changes values, scaling, weighting, thus providing baseline metric discussion, subpopulation comparisons, adaptive management action. A web-based application can directly adapted other species. This framework scientists managers prioritizing populations receiving recovery maximize impact.