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Published on: December 9, 2012
Understanding the effects of different social data on selecting priority conservation areas
Azadeh Karimi1,2, Ayesha I T Tulloch1, Greg Brown1
1School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
Summary
Integrating social data into conservation planning significantly alters priority areas. Understanding whether social data represents constraints or opportunities is key for effective conservation strategies and actions.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Science
- Environmental Planning
- Social-Ecological Systems
Background:
- Conservation success depends on integrating social and environmental factors for cost-effective strategies.
- Limited attention has been given to the value of different social data types in conservation planning.
- Spatially explicit social data is crucial for understanding broad social-ecological contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the spatial concurrence of social values and land-use preferences with biological data in conservation planning.
- To determine the effect of different types of social data on spatial prioritization outcomes.
- To assess how integrating social data influences conservation priority areas.
Main Methods:
- A regional systematic conservation planning case study in Australia was conducted.
- Spatially explicit social values and land-use preferences were collected using a public participation geographic information system.
- Zonation software was used to integrate social and biological data in spatial prioritization scenarios.
Main Results:
- The type of social data (conservation opportunities vs. constraints) significantly affected spatial prioritization.
- Integrating social values and land-use preferences resulted in spatial prioritizations 1.2-51% different from biological data alone.
- Including noncompatible economic values and development preferences as costs substantially changed conservation priority areas (48.2% and 47.4%).
Conclusions:
- A multifaceted conservation prioritization approach combining social and biological data is essential.
- Conservation planners can identify the most impactful types of social data to collect for effective actions.
- Considering both compatible and noncompatible social values enhances the feasibility of conservation actions.
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