Spatial Patterns of Conservation Benefits, Priorities, and Barriers in the Congaree Biosphere Region

Abstract

UNESCO biosphere reserves contain areas with widely varied environmental, ecological, and economic characteristics, human land uses, and management jurisdictions and goals. Effective conservation planning thus requires consideration of the spatial patterns of factors that may influence management activities across the landscape. In this study, we examined spatial variation in conservation benefits, priorities, and barriers in the Congaree Biosphere Region (CBR), near Columbia, SC. We first used GIS-based clustering to subdivide the CBR into subregions with comparatively homogeneous land cover and habitats. We then surveyed local stakeholders and conservation experts to identify their perceptions of: 1) existing environmental, economic, and social benefits provided by features within each subregion, and 2) future subregional priorities for and barriers to conservation opportunities. Our results identified both overarching themes that were common across the entire CBR (e.g., the need for enhancing collaborative partnerships; improving habitat quality and connectivity) and subregional differences that could be linked to variations in land cover, protected areas, and existing environmental, social, and cultural features. We conclude by exploring how the identification of CBR subregions and analysis and organization of survey results can facilitate the development of community-informed management strategies based on shared knowledge of conservation benefits and barriers.