Species-specific spatial characteristics in reserve site selection

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of selecting reserve sites cost-effectively, taking into account the mobility and habitat area requirements of each species. Many reserve site selection problems are analyzed in mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models due to the mathematical solvers available for this model type. Ideally, such reserve site selection models take into consideration the possibility that species use reserve sites, even small ones, as stepping stones to move from one site to another. This consideration, however, is difficult to include in MILP models. This paper demonstrates and evaluates three alternative MILP models that include species' mobility and habitat area requirements. All models include the possible stepping stone function of reserve sites to some extent, although none does so perfectly. The models demonstrated find spatial reserve networks at lower costs than a non-spatial reserve site selection model.