Then, teams may need to add species with unique ecological requirements or threats that are not already reflected by the ecological systems in which they are embedded. These are considered “fine-filter” targets with special conservation needs that go beyond conserving the ecosystem.

• Lumping vs. Splitting Targets. When in doubt, lump co-occurring targets. It’s easy enough to split out the targets later if needed. Examples: longleaf pine woodland and associated communities; rare fish assemblage.
• Species as Targets. You may need to add species targets with unique ecological requirements or threats that are not already reflected by the ecological systems in which they are embedded. These are considered “fine-filter” targets with special conservation needs that go beyond conserving the ecosystem.
  • Assemblages of species . Often there is a group or guild of species that share similar conservation requirements (e.g. reef fish community).
  • Migratory species . If migratory bird, fish or other animal species are selected as targets, the life-stage of the species at the project area should be explicitly identified as the target. A project team cannot be responsible for conserving a species across its range, but rather only for that part of the species life cycle when it resides in the project area. Turbo-CAP also suggests that project teams make the habitat the target rather than the species itself – e.g. Mule deer wintering habitat instead over Over-wintering mule deer.
  • Keystone species. “Keystone” species are species that drive major ecological processes; if they were removed the ecosystem would change dramatically. Keystone species may be “apex predators” (e.g., wolves in Yellowstone, major herbivores (e.g., elephants in African savanna), or "filters" (e.g., oysters in Chesapeake Bay).
• Stratify Targets? Sometimes a given ecosystem target over a large landscape or a region has very different Health conditions or faces different Threats in different locations, and therefore requires different Strategies. For example, a river target might be stratified into 2 reaches (Upper River & Lower River). Or a Longleaf Pine Forest might be stratified into 2 ownerships (Longleaf Pine - Military Lands and Longleaf Pine - Private Lands).
• More Than 8 Targets? turboCAP’s limit of eight focal targets is based upon the experience of developing hundreds of CAPs for priority landscapes, where eight or fewer targets worked at 95% of the places. It also helps project teams focus on their highest priorities.
• Targets Map. A map showing the approximate locations of the targets within a project area often proves invaluable in considering their health, threats and strategies. Roughly drawn “cartoon maps” or “mud maps” (as they are called in Australia) can be sufficient for a first iteration CAP.