Journal article
Applying systematic conservation planning to improve the allocation of restoration actions at multiple spatial scales
Restoration Ecology, Vol.29(5), pp.1-12
2021
Abstract
Ecological restoration is increasingly being upscaled to larger spatial scales of 10s to 100 s of kilometres. Yet, the complex logistics and high costs of ecological restoration mean that actions must be placed strategically at local scales of 10s of meters to maximise ecological benefits and reduce socio‐economic costs. Despite the purported use of systematic planning tools for allocating restoration effort, the uptake and implementation of data‐driven restoration planning and ecological goal setting remains poor in many restoration programs. Here we demonstrate how the sequential workflows of systematic conservation planning can be translated to restoration at two spatial scales to enhance estuarine fisheries in eastern Australia. We select estuaries where restoration is feasible and recommended based on quantitative regional ecological goals (i.e. regional scale prioritisation), and then identify potential restoration sites at smaller spatial scales within estuaries based on the principles of spatial ecology to ensure that the success and benefits of restoration are maximised (i.e. local scale prioritisation). At the regional scale, we identified four levels of restoration priorities (very high, high, intermediate, and low) using quantitative ecological goals and the current ecological understanding of each system. At the local scale, we used spatially explicit Bayesian belief networks to identify sites that maximise restoration outcomes based on the environmental niche of habitat‐forming species and the spatial configuration of habitats that maximises their use by fish. We show that using systematic frameworks can become an essential tool to optimise restoration investments at multiple scales as efforts upscale globally.
Details
- Title
- Applying systematic conservation planning to improve the allocation of restoration actions at multiple spatial scales
- Authors
- Ben Gilby (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAndrew Olds (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringChristopher J Brown (Author) - Griffith UniversityRod M Connolly (Author) - Griffith UniversityChristopher Henderson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringPaul S Maxwell (Author) - Healthy Land and WaterThomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Restoration Ecology, Vol.29(5), pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1111/rec.13403
- ISSN
- 1526-100X; 1061-2971
- Grants
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99522305602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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