A conceptual model for conservation planning based on landscape species requirements

Effective conservation planning requires, considering all the complicated biological, social and economic factors which impinge on the ecological integrity of a site, and then focusing inevitably limited conservation resources on those times, places and activities that most impact ecological structure and function. The landscape species concept provides a useful lens for defining conservation landscapes and highlighting potential threats from human activity. This paper outlines a conceptual methodology for landscape conservation being tested by the Wildlife Conservation Society at three sites in Latin America and Africa. Based on the biological requirements of an ecologically functioning population of a landscape species, the “biological” landscape is defined. This landscape is compared to the landscape of human activities through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Focal landscapes sufficient to meet species requirements are defined and threats from human activity evaluated with respect to biological requirements. A suite of landscape species may be selected depending on resources, leading to multiple, often overlapping, focal landscapes. A hypothetical example is presented.