Strategic Planning for Species Conservation: A Handbook - IUCN
Strategic Planning for Species Conservation: A Handbook - IUCN
Strategic Planning for Species Conservation: A Handbook - IUCN
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<strong>Strategic</strong> <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Species</strong> <strong>Conservation</strong><br />
The sections below detail methods that can be used to evaluate potential Actions. These<br />
methods are discussed in approximate order of data quality, with the first methods<br />
discussed being those which provide the strongest evidence of success and, hence, give<br />
greatest confidence of effectiveness if applied widely. Not all of the methods discussed will<br />
be appropriate in all circumstances. Nevertheless, conservationists are increasingly<br />
recognising the importance of basing management on good evidence (Sutherland et al.<br />
2004), and ef<strong>for</strong>ts should be made to evaluate proposed Actions to the highest standard<br />
that is practicable. Documenting management approaches that have failed is as important<br />
as describing those which have been successful, to avoid repetition of the same<br />
(undoubtedly well-intentioned) mistakes. In<strong>for</strong>mation sharing resources such as http://<br />
ww.conservationevidence.com and http://ww.environmentalevidence.org may be useful in<br />
this regard, and those developing SCSs should draw on such resources, as well as<br />
contributing to them.<br />
8.3.1 Experimental field tests of management Actions<br />
The gold standard <strong>for</strong> evaluating the effectiveness of a particular management method is an<br />
experimental trial conducted under field conditions. Although it is not always possible or<br />
appropriate to conduct such experiments, this approach should be considered where<br />
possible. Even if other approaches (detailed below) are used to identify promising methods,<br />
it is still advisable – once again where possible – to conduct field trials or pilot studies to<br />
confirm the methods’ utility <strong>for</strong> conservation of the species concerned, in the circumstances<br />
under which management would be implemented. Not only does this ensure that the<br />
management is effective, it can also confirm that threats to the species’ conservation have<br />
been correctly diagnosed (Caughley 1994).<br />
Photo 8.1 Flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) in Fernandina Island, Galapagos Islands,<br />
Ecuador © Robert Lacy<br />
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