Environmental Explainer Series: Systematic Conservation Planning

Published on 18 June 2024

Blog post by: Devmini Bandara, RENEW PhD Student

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This is the first in a new blog series written by our researchers to explain key terms in their specific areas of scientific expertise.

Thank you to Devmini Bandara a RENEW, PhD Student working on Theme One (Individual Actors) for writing this explainer about Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP).

What is Systematic Conservation Planning?

In recent years, the increasing recognition of the need for effective conservation measures to protect biodiversity has led to the widespread adoption of Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) across various global contexts.

SCP is a framework designed to assist in making informed decisions about conservation actions. It helps prioritise and choose between different conservation actions while balancing their benefits and costs.

SCP is often associated with designing protected area networks, with the objective of creating or expanding networks to ensure the long-term survival of conservation features. This framework employs quantitative methodologies to identify spatial priorities based on the available data and enables the selection and design of protected areas based on scientific evidence.

Various stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, and conservationists use SCP. For instance, the UK is promoting Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) to create a network of spaces for nature recovery. This will establish priorities and map proposals for specific actions to drive nature’s recovery and provide wider environmental benefits across England. The local authorities and other stakeholders can use the SCP approach to deliver on this by identifying areas with high biodiversity value and considering other important factors like cost and social input.

A photograph of a field with wheat growing, divided by the tracks of a tractor. Above: The UK’s agricultural farmlands represent an opportunity for increasing biodiversity through SCP approaches. Image credit: Megan Andrews, Unsplash

What are the benefits of Systematic Conservation Planning?

SCP provides several benefits, including:

Efficiency: By prioritising areas for protection, SCP ensures that conservation efforts are focused where they are most needed.
Effectiveness: By using scientific data and analysis, SCP increases the likelihood of achieving conservation goals.
Transparency: SCP offers a transparent and reproducible framework for decision-making, enhancing stakeholder engagement.
Adaptability: SCP can be adapted to different contexts and scales, making it applicable across various conservation scenarios.

How does Systematic Conservation Planning work?

Comprising eleven stages, the SCP framework informs decisions on areas to protect biodiversity through the systematic identification and management of areas of high conservation value. The eleven stages of the SCP framework can be categorised into three fundamental steps:

(1) Identifying conservation targets – This is typically based on ecological criteria, including species richness (a wide variety of organisms), endemism (species that are native or invasive), and rarity (species that are uncommon or have small populations).

(2) Identifying potential conservation areas – This often involves using spatial analysis tools such as Zonation, Marxan, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to classify and prioritise areas that are important for conservation.

(3) Selecting conservation actions – This involves identifying the most effective management strategies to evaluate, protect, and manage the identified conservation areas effectively.

An image of a grey Heron targetting fish in a wetland area, thick with trees and reeds.

Above: ‘Spatial analysis tools such as Zonation, Marxan, & Geographic Information Systems (GIS) classify & prioritise areas that are important for conservation. Image credit: Roger Bradshaw, Unsplash

How does Systematic Conservation Planning contribute to biodiversity conservation?

SCP contributes to biodiversity conservation by:

Identifying priority areas: SCP identifies areas with high conservation value, ensuring that they receive adequate protection.
Guiding management strategies: SCP helps design management strategies tailored to the specific needs of conservation areas, maximizing their effectiveness.
Promoting connectivity: SCP considers landscape connectivity, facilitating the movement of species and enhancing ecosystem resilience.
Mitigating threats: SCP assists in identifying and mitigating potential threats to biodiversity, helping to safeguard ecosystems for future generations.

In conclusion, Systematic Conservation Planning is a vital tool for biodiversity conservation, providing a systematic approach to prioritise, protect, and manage areas of natural importance.

References

• Cunningham, C.A., Crick, H.Q.P., Morecroft, M.D., Thomas, C.D. and Beale, C.M. 2023. Reconciling diverse viewpoints within systematic conservation planning. People and Nature. 5(2), pp.621–632. • Margules, C.R. and Pressey, R.L. 2000. Systematic conservation planning. Nature. 405(6783), pp.243–253. • Margules, C., and Sarkar, S. 2007. Systematic Conservation Planning. Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Series. 277. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY. • Mcintosh, E.J., Pressey, R.L., Lloyd, S., Smith, R.J. and Grenyer, R. 2017. Annual Review of Environment and Resources the Impact of Systematic Conservation Planning. • Pressey, R.L. and Bottrill, M.C. 2008. Opportunism, threats, and the evolution of systematic conservation planning. Conservation Biology. 22(5), pp.1340–1345. • Pressey, R.L., Cabeza, M., Watts, M.E., Cowling, R.M. and Wilson, K.A. 2007. Conservation planning in a changing world. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 22(11), pp.583–592.