CREDOS: a conservation reserve evaluation and design optimisation system

A number of spatial decision support systems (SDSSs) are already available for the systematic planning of conservation reserves. These existing systems offer varying levels of integration and interactivity. However, these systems generate solutions that are sub-optimal. Integer programming (IP) optimisation techniques guarantee optimal solutions but have been criticised for excessively long or intractable solution times. Modern IP software has addressed this criticism by finding solutions in quick time. The aim in using IP techniques in this paper is to design conservation reserves that are of the minimum possible area to satisfy defined conservation targets, thereby producing reserve systems of greatest efficiency. The Conservation Reserve Evaluation and Design Optimisation System (CREDOS) is a fully integrated SDSS that calls on a third-party optimiser to generate solutions. We attempt to provide a foundation for a viable alternative to existi ng systems by tightly coupling CREDOS with a proprietary geographic information system (GIS) and IP analytical software by means of an interactive interface. It provides conservation planners with a fully featured planning system for both terrestrial and marine conservation reserves that is easy to use, offers high levels of interactivity and flexibility, and produces practical and efficient solutions that can be used to support their experience and judgement. This paper describes the methodology used in the design and construction of CREDOS, and discusses the effectiveness of the system in facilitating the planning of conservation reserves. The functionality of CREDOS is assessed in the context of designing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The results are maximally efficient, practical, and manageable arrangements of potential MPA sites that satisfy conservation targets.