The distribution of diversity: challenges and applications
155
Cowling, 2003 ), because ‘ … few academic conservation planners regularly climb down from their ivory
towers to get their shoes muddy in the messy, political
trenches, where conservation actually takes place ’
(Knight et al ., 2006 , p. 410). There has been some critical discussion around this quite stark assertion (see, for
example, Pressey & Bottrill, 2009 ), and a number of
operational case studies show that development of a
systematic conservation plan for a particular area by
academics can integrate the diverse disciplines and
activities needed for successful conservation action
into a single, comprehensive process (Boxes 6.2 and
6.3 are good examples). Nonetheless, this debate highlights the point that while the tools of systematic conservation planning are important, they do not in
themselves deliver conservation action.
software systems are not designed to replace people by
making decisions for them; they operate interactively
to facilitate decisions by people.
6.6 CONSULTATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF SYSTEMATIC
CONSERVATION PLANS
Much of the systematic conservation planning literature to date has focused on advancing the ‘ tools ’ of the
systematic conservation planning trade. Far less attention has been dedicated to implementing conservation
plans in the ‘ real world ’ (Salafsky et al ., 2002 ; Knight
& Cowling, 2003 ). Indeed, some experts have argued
that the discipline of systematic conservation planning
is mired in an ‘ implementation crisis ’ (Knight &
Table 6.2 The application of a seven - step systematic conservation planning decision theory framework (Possingham
et al. , 2001 ; K.A. Wilson et al. , 2009 ) to a hypothetical example based on the problem of acquiring new land to add to
a protected area network to protect threatened species.
Step
Details
Example: Acquiring new land to add
to a protected area network with the
aim of protecting threatened species.
1 Statement of
objective(s)
This is a statement of what is hoped to
be achieved and is measurable.
To maximize the representation of
threatened species in protected areas.
2 List of
management
actions
This can range from one action to a
number of actions.
Purchasing new areas to add to the
protected area network. The available
option is either to acquire each parcel of
land or not.
3 State variables
This is the knowledge about the system,
including both biodiversity and human
variables.
Where the threatened species are located
and how much each parcel of land costs.
4 State dynamics
This step requires knowledge about how
the state variables may change (which
may be dependent or independent of the
management action).
Fluctuation of property prices for parcels
of land. These may vary independently or
may increase with the implementation of
the extended reserve network (Armsworth
et al. , 2006 ).
5 Constraints
The constraints are what limit the
application of any management action.
Size of budget, willingness of landholders
to sell their properties, etc.
6 Uncertainty
Most data will contain a degree of
uncertainty.
Inaccuracies in species data regarding
presence and absence due to surveying
methods and species detectability
variation.
7 Solution
methods
A range of mathematical approaches are
used to solve problems (Box 6.4 ).
Algorithm to maximize representation and
minimize cost.
155
Cowling, 2003 ), because ‘ … few academic conservation planners regularly climb down from their ivory
towers to get their shoes muddy in the messy, political
trenches, where conservation actually takes place ’
(Knight et al ., 2006 , p. 410). There has been some critical discussion around this quite stark assertion (see, for
example, Pressey & Bottrill, 2009 ), and a number of
operational case studies show that development of a
systematic conservation plan for a particular area by
academics can integrate the diverse disciplines and
activities needed for successful conservation action
into a single, comprehensive process (Boxes 6.2 and
6.3 are good examples). Nonetheless, this debate highlights the point that while the tools of systematic conservation planning are important, they do not in
themselves deliver conservation action.
software systems are not designed to replace people by
making decisions for them; they operate interactively
to facilitate decisions by people.
6.6 CONSULTATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF SYSTEMATIC
CONSERVATION PLANS
Much of the systematic conservation planning literature to date has focused on advancing the ‘ tools ’ of the
systematic conservation planning trade. Far less attention has been dedicated to implementing conservation
plans in the ‘ real world ’ (Salafsky et al ., 2002 ; Knight
& Cowling, 2003 ). Indeed, some experts have argued
that the discipline of systematic conservation planning
is mired in an ‘ implementation crisis ’ (Knight &
Table 6.2 The application of a seven - step systematic conservation planning decision theory framework (Possingham
et al. , 2001 ; K.A. Wilson et al. , 2009 ) to a hypothetical example based on the problem of acquiring new land to add to
a protected area network to protect threatened species.
Step
Details
Example: Acquiring new land to add
to a protected area network with the
aim of protecting threatened species.
1 Statement of
objective(s)
This is a statement of what is hoped to
be achieved and is measurable.
To maximize the representation of
threatened species in protected areas.
2 List of
management
actions
This can range from one action to a
number of actions.
Purchasing new areas to add to the
protected area network. The available
option is either to acquire each parcel of
land or not.
3 State variables
This is the knowledge about the system,
including both biodiversity and human
variables.
Where the threatened species are located
and how much each parcel of land costs.
4 State dynamics
This step requires knowledge about how
the state variables may change (which
may be dependent or independent of the
management action).
Fluctuation of property prices for parcels
of land. These may vary independently or
may increase with the implementation of
the extended reserve network (Armsworth
et al. , 2006 ).
5 Constraints
The constraints are what limit the
application of any management action.
Size of budget, willingness of landholders
to sell their properties, etc.
6 Uncertainty
Most data will contain a degree of
uncertainty.
Inaccuracies in species data regarding
presence and absence due to surveying
methods and species detectability
variation.
7 Solution
methods
A range of mathematical approaches are
used to solve problems (Box 6.4 ).
Algorithm to maximize representation and
minimize cost.