156
Systematic conservation planning: past, present and future
To be successfully implemented, all systematic conservation plans must be complemented with social,
political, and institutional tools and processes (Knight
et al ., 2009 ). There are several operational models
established that outline key considerations that can
help to guide a transparent planning and implementation process (Pressey & Cowling, 2001 ; Knight et al .,
2006 ).
Those who have participated in such processes stress
the importance of providing participants with clear
and transparent explanations of the stages of a conservation planning process and what things need to be
done to achieve them. This includes, for example, an
assessment of conservation issues; identifying opportunities for and constraints on conservation actions;
developing an implementation strategy; and products
such as maps that help guide implementation. The fl exibility of an overriding conservation model is also
important, as it has been increasingly shown that
implementing successful conservation actions is an
ongoing process with feedbacks between planning and
implementation.
Bottrill & Pressey (2009) , for example, have produced a detailed 11 - step process for the successful
implementation of a conservation plan. The steps are
outlined in Table 6.3 . They argue that all 11 stages
must be completed for a conservation plan to be conducted successfully.
An alternative operational framework is provided by
Knight et al . (2006) , who identifi ed the key components for ‘ doing ’ pragmatic conservation planning
(Figure 6.2 ). In their schematic, the thematic components are grouped into three interlinked foundations:
1 empower individuals and institutions;
2 undertake the systematic conservation assessment;
3 secure effective action.
Each foundation is essential for an effective conservation planning process.
The reality is that the implementation of any
conservation plan is diffi cult. Wherever systematic
plans are actually implemented, it quickly becomes
apparent that human society is not an entity with
a single value system (see Chapter 2 ). Whereas a conservationist or amateur naturalist may value a particular site because it contains habitat for an endangered
species, a timber company may value that site because
of the potential revenue that might be generated
from harvesting trees, or a group of mountain bike
enthusiasts may value the site for its recreational
values.
However, when a plan is integrated with expert
knowledge (Pressey & Cowling, 2001 ) and coupled
with an implementation strategy that takes into
context the needs for stakeholder collaboration (Driver
et al ., 2003 ), the planning process itself can provide a
foundation for effective conservation action. This is a
major, often forgotten, value of systematic conservation planning – it not only identifi es the priority conservation areas, but also provides a mechanism for
stakeholder collaboration.
6.7 WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF
SYSTEMATIC CONSERVATION
PLANNING HOLD?
In this chapter, we have delved into the fundamental
principles of systematic conservation planning, while
also providing some contemporary case studies demonstrating the use of different techniques and tools. In
Table 6.3 Steps in the process of developing and
implementing a conservation plan, as outlined by
Bottrill & Pressey (2009) .
Steps
Processes
Stage 1
Scoping and costing the planning
process
Stage 2
Identifying and involving stakeholders
Stage 3
Identifying the context for
conservation areas
Stage 4
Identifying conservation goals
Stage 5
Collecting socio - economic and threat
data
Stage 6
Collecting data on biodiversity and
other natural features
Stage 7
Setting conservation objectives
Stage 8
Reviewing objective achievement in
existing conservation areas
Stage 9
Selecting additional conservation
areas
Stage 10 Applying conservation actions to
selected areas
Stage 11 Maintaining and monitoring
established conservation areas
Systematic conservation planning: past, present and future
To be successfully implemented, all systematic conservation plans must be complemented with social,
political, and institutional tools and processes (Knight
et al ., 2009 ). There are several operational models
established that outline key considerations that can
help to guide a transparent planning and implementation process (Pressey & Cowling, 2001 ; Knight et al .,
2006 ).
Those who have participated in such processes stress
the importance of providing participants with clear
and transparent explanations of the stages of a conservation planning process and what things need to be
done to achieve them. This includes, for example, an
assessment of conservation issues; identifying opportunities for and constraints on conservation actions;
developing an implementation strategy; and products
such as maps that help guide implementation. The fl exibility of an overriding conservation model is also
important, as it has been increasingly shown that
implementing successful conservation actions is an
ongoing process with feedbacks between planning and
implementation.
Bottrill & Pressey (2009) , for example, have produced a detailed 11 - step process for the successful
implementation of a conservation plan. The steps are
outlined in Table 6.3 . They argue that all 11 stages
must be completed for a conservation plan to be conducted successfully.
An alternative operational framework is provided by
Knight et al . (2006) , who identifi ed the key components for ‘ doing ’ pragmatic conservation planning
(Figure 6.2 ). In their schematic, the thematic components are grouped into three interlinked foundations:
1 empower individuals and institutions;
2 undertake the systematic conservation assessment;
3 secure effective action.
Each foundation is essential for an effective conservation planning process.
The reality is that the implementation of any
conservation plan is diffi cult. Wherever systematic
plans are actually implemented, it quickly becomes
apparent that human society is not an entity with
a single value system (see Chapter 2 ). Whereas a conservationist or amateur naturalist may value a particular site because it contains habitat for an endangered
species, a timber company may value that site because
of the potential revenue that might be generated
from harvesting trees, or a group of mountain bike
enthusiasts may value the site for its recreational
values.
However, when a plan is integrated with expert
knowledge (Pressey & Cowling, 2001 ) and coupled
with an implementation strategy that takes into
context the needs for stakeholder collaboration (Driver
et al ., 2003 ), the planning process itself can provide a
foundation for effective conservation action. This is a
major, often forgotten, value of systematic conservation planning – it not only identifi es the priority conservation areas, but also provides a mechanism for
stakeholder collaboration.
6.7 WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF
SYSTEMATIC CONSERVATION
PLANNING HOLD?
In this chapter, we have delved into the fundamental
principles of systematic conservation planning, while
also providing some contemporary case studies demonstrating the use of different techniques and tools. In
Table 6.3 Steps in the process of developing and
implementing a conservation plan, as outlined by
Bottrill & Pressey (2009) .
Steps
Processes
Stage 1
Scoping and costing the planning
process
Stage 2
Identifying and involving stakeholders
Stage 3
Identifying the context for
conservation areas
Stage 4
Identifying conservation goals
Stage 5
Collecting socio - economic and threat
data
Stage 6
Collecting data on biodiversity and
other natural features
Stage 7
Setting conservation objectives
Stage 8
Reviewing objective achievement in
existing conservation areas
Stage 9
Selecting additional conservation
areas
Stage 10 Applying conservation actions to
selected areas
Stage 11 Maintaining and monitoring
established conservation areas