The Extent and Location of Nature Conservation Areas

Abstract

This paper reviews very briefly the main factors of relevance in determining the optimal distribution of nature conservation areas within a region or country. Whilst much will depend on the existing location of areas of high conservation value, the selection of an appropriate strategy for nature conservation within a region will also depend on the likely effects of isolation between conservation areas—which, in turn, will depend to some extent on the types of plants and animals that are to be conserved.Considering a number of alternative patterns of conservation areas, it is concluded that patterns which combine a minimum of fragmentation with extensive regional coverage are likely to be preferred to more fragmented patterns involving the same total area of land.