Incorporating a distance cost in systematic reserve design

A novel approach to systematic reserve design effectively incorporates the proximity of new land parcels to existing reserves, addressing a critical gap in biodiversity conservation strategies. This method overcomes limitations of previous models by using reserve boundaries rather than centroids to determine distance costs, reducing bias and improving spatial contiguity. Applied to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Australia, this approach demonstrated its ability to select land parcels closer to existing reserves while meeting biodiversity targets. The study highlights the potential for integrating distance costs into reserve planning algorithms, offering more efficient solutions for environmental managers aiming to expand reserve systems.

Zhang, K., Laffan, S. W., Ramp, D., & Webster, E. (2011). Incorporating a distance cost in systematic reserve design. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 25(3), 393–404. https://doi.org/10.1080/13658816.2010.517753