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Published on: February 11, 2020
Conservation easements: biodiversity protection and private use
Adena R Rissman1, Lynn Lozier, Tosha Comendant
1Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114, USA. arissman@nature.berkeley.edu
Summary
Conservation easements protect biodiversity but often permit development and private uses, potentially causing habitat fragmentation. Clearer restrictions and research are needed to balance conservation goals with land use.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Land Use Planning
- Environmental Policy
Background:
- Conservation easements are key tools for private land biodiversity protection.
- Quantitative data on easement specifics (protected targets, allowed development, land uses) remain limited.
- Understanding these details is crucial for effective conservation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the species and habitats targeted by conservation easements.
- To assess the extent of structural development and land use permitted by easements.
- To identify potential trade-offs between conservation goals and private land uses.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed staff managing 119 conservation easements from The Nature Conservancy (1985-2004).
- Collected data on easement objectives, allowed development, and permitted land uses.
- Analyzed data to identify patterns and trends in easement characteristics.
Main Results:
- 80% of easements targeted core habitat for species/communities; nearly all aimed to reduce development.
- 85% permitted some residential, commercial use, new structures, or subdivision.
- Working landscape easements (46%) were more likely to serve as biodiversity buffers.
Conclusions:
- Conservation easements require clearer restrictions on building and subdivision.
- Research is needed on the compatibility of private uses with conservation goals.
- Public understanding of easement trade-offs is essential for effective biodiversity conservation.
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