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Selection of Reserves for Woodland Caribou Using an Optimization Approach

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  • Richard R Schneider
  • Grant Hauer
  • Kimberly Dawe
  • Wiktor Adamowicz
  • Stan Boutin

Abstract

Habitat protection has been identified as an important strategy for the conservation of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus). However, because of the economic opportunity costs associated with protection it is unlikely that all caribou ranges can be protected in their entirety. We used an optimization approach to identify reserve designs for caribou in Alberta, Canada, across a range of potential protection targets. Our designs minimized costs as well as three demographic risk factors: current industrial footprint, presence of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and climate change. We found that, using optimization, 60% of current caribou range can be protected (including 17% in existing parks) while maintaining access to over 98% of the value of resources on public lands. The trade-off between minimizing cost and minimizing demographic risk factors was minimal because the spatial distributions of cost and risk were similar. The prospects for protection are much reduced if protection is directed towards the herds that are most at risk of near-term extirpation.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard R Schneider & Grant Hauer & Kimberly Dawe & Wiktor Adamowicz & Stan Boutin, 2012. "Selection of Reserves for Woodland Caribou Using an Optimization Approach," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(2), pages 1-9, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0031672
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031672
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hauer, Grant & Cumming, Steve & Schmiegelow, Fiona & Adamowicz, Wiktor & Weber, Marian & Jagodzinski, Robert, 2010. "Tradeoffs between forestry resource and conservation values under alternate policy regimes: A spatial analysis of the western Canadian boreal plains," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(21), pages 2590-2603.
    2. Hauer, Grant & Adamowicz, Wiktor L. & Jagodzinski, Robert, 2010. "A Net Present Value Model of Natural Gas Exploitation in Northern Alberta: An Analysis of Land Values in Woodland Caribou Ranges," Project Report Series 91422, University of Alberta, Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology.
    3. Richard R Schneider & Grant Hauer & Dan Farr & W L Adamowicz & Stan Boutin, 2011. "Achieving Conservation when Opportunity Costs Are High: Optimizing Reserve Design in Alberta's Oil Sands Region," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(8), pages 1-8, August.
    4. C. R. Margules & R. L. Pressey, 2000. "Systematic conservation planning," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6783), pages 243-253, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bošković, Branko & Nøstbakken, Linda, 2017. "The cost of endangered species protection: Evidence from auctions for natural resources," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 174-192.

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