Abstract
Globally, most biodiversity conservation programmes are not currently evaluated
in terms of their costs and benefits, or their rate of return on the original investment.
Assessing the cost-effectiveness of such schemes is challenging as the relationship between
spending and the effectiveness of conservation is dependent on many biological and socioeconomic
factors. Here, we evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a selection of species and
habitat conservation schemes undertaken through the Scotland Rural Development Programme.
We use a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, based on expert
knowledge, to estimate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different schemes and
understand variations in the results. Our findings highlight a lack of geographical targeting
in terms of where the funding might achieve the most conservation benefit, which may be
contributing to high costs per unit of effectiveness. Recommendations include the need for
improved advice on appropriate management and monitoring programmes that are linked
closely to objectives. Conservation schemes within Scotland were used as the focus of the
study, but the approaches used, interpretations drawn and improvements identified could be
applied to any regional, national or international biodiversity conservation programmes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1359 - 1375 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Biodiversity and Conservation |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | First published - 2015 |
Bibliographical note
20615891023311
Keywords
- Agri-environment schemes
- Conservation monitoring
- Conservation objectives
- Conservation planning
- Expert knowledge
- Scotland Rural Development Programme
- Stakeholder engagement