Comparing the efficiencies of individual-scoring and complementarity-based algorithms in prioritizing existing protected areas

Yiting Wang; Feiling Yang; Chaolang Hua; Jinming Hu; Junjun Wang; Jian Zhou; Zhixue Feng; Chen Zhang; Jin Ye; Ji Zhang; Xian Leng; Ruidong Wu

Ecological Indicators (Jun 2021)

Comparing the efficiencies of individual-scoring and complementarity-based algorithms in prioritizing existing protected areas

Yiting Wang,
Feiling Yang,
Chaolang Hua,
Jinming Hu,
Junjun Wang,
Jian Zhou,
Zhixue Feng,
Chen Zhang,
Jin Ye,
Ji Zhang,
Xian Leng,
Ruidong Wu

Affiliations

Yiting Wang: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Feiling Yang: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Corresponding authors at: Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, 2 North Green Lake Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China.
Chaolang Hua: Yunnan Nature Reserve Research and Monitoring Center, Yunnan Institute of Forest Inventory and Planning, Kunming, Yunnan 650221, China
Jinming Hu: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Junjun Wang: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Jian Zhou: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Zhixue Feng: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Chen Zhang: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Jin Ye: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Ji Zhang: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Xian Leng: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
Ruidong Wu: Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China; Corresponding authors at: Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, 2 North Green Lake Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 125
p. 107539

Abstract

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Evaluation of conservation priorities in existing protected areas (PAs) is critical for effective allocation of limited conservation resources and optimization of PA structure. Traditional approaches of prioritizing within existing PAs are based on individual-scoring and complementarity-based algorithms, and are often guided by individual natural features rather than complementarity among PAs. However, the efficiencies of synthesizing individual-scoring and complementarity-based algorithms in prioritizing PAs are still unknown. Here, we implemented three algorithms for prioritizing 42 Nature Reserves (NRs) in Yunnan Province, China, including an individual-scoring algorithm (ISA), species-number complementarity algorithm (SNCA), and a new species-value complementarity algorithm (SVCA) which synthesized the former two algorithms. Subsequently, the species number and species conservation value evaluated the efficiencies of three algorithms and explored their implications in conservation planning. We found that the spatial distribution of priority levels of NRs varied in different biogeographical regions, and that most of the national NRs received higher conservation priorities than provincial NRs in all three algorithms. Additionally, the average species number conservation efficiency in SNCA was 3.45 and 1.61% higher than in ISA and SVCA, respectively, while the average species conservation value efficiency in SVCA was 1.83 and 3.37% higher than in SNCA and ISA. These results indicated that SNCA could protect more species at a minimum cost if conservation planning was aimed only at protecting the number of species. However, when species conservation value is the focus of conservation planning, SVCA was more cost-effective. Our analysis supports efforts at efficient allocation of conservation resources in individual PAs and entire PA network at different biogeographical scales, and informs decision-makers on leveraging cost-effective conservation efforts in the future.

Published in Ecological Indicators

ISSN: 1470-160X (Print); 1872-7034 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/ecological-indicators

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