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C-Plan Conservation Planning SystemSearch fields
Description and method logicMethod purposeC-Plan is used to assess options for achieving conservation targets and to guide decisions about areas to be protected or developed.
SummaryC-Plan is an interactive software-based decision support tool designed to work in conjunction with geographical information system (GIS) software to map options for achieving conservation targets. It is based on irreplaceability, which is a measure of the likelihood of needing a particular site in a region for achieving conservation targets. High irrepaceability values indicate few to no replacements and low values indicate many possible replacements[1].
The decision support system was first developed in 1995-6 to support Regional Forest Agreements and conservation planning in New South Wales. It has also been applied to freshwater and marine systems across the world ranging from global to local government scales. There is an interface with Marxan software. Method logic
C-Plan allows users to map options for achieving explicit conservation targets. It also allows users to define which sites are to be placed under conservation management and generates a new pattern of options resulting from this. The main components are:
The C-Plan functions consist of code that estimates irreplaceability using a statistical estimator[2], communicate between the system’s three main components, and support interactive functions related to individual sites or networks of sites and ways of selecting sites for consideration[1]. The database engine offers a formal way of storing large tabular data sets. It uses structured query language (SQL) for the selection of sites of interest, and facilitates linking C-Plan to a GIS system[1]. The GIS system currently links with ESRI to provide a graphical interface, spatial information and geoprocessing potential[1]. Criteria groupings of the methodSpatial data: site, feature (biological, physical, social, economic or other variables) and feature target (desired target or threshold for a specific feature). The range of data included in each of these inputs can be very broad.
Data required
C-Plan accepts three types of inputs:
Other spatial data can also be incorporated such as roads and other infrastructure. Resources requiredExpertise requiredC-Plan requires experience with conservation planning and GIS software.
Materials requiredC-Plan software, Microsoft operating system, GIS software and access to spatial datasets.
Method outputsOutputsThe program output comes in the form of tables, maps or diagrams used for decision support. These outputs include information on site characteristics, similar characteristics across sites, and the extent to which the conservation targets have been reached.
Uses
Criteria by category
Physical and chemicalSocio-culturalManagement and planningSignificanceFloraFaunaReviewRecommended userC-Plan can be used by those familiar with conservation planning concepts and GIS. The results could be useful for government agencies, natural resource managers and others.
Strengths
Limitations
Case studiesBrigalow Belt South biogeographic regionCape Byron Marine ParkCobar Peneplain biogeographic regionGeorges River catchmentLower Hunter and Central Coast local government areasManning Shelf, Hawkesbury Shelf, Batemans Shelf and Twofold Shelf marine bioregionsRegional Forest Agreements: Comprehensive assessment for the Eden Management AreaRegional Forest Agreements: Comprehensive assessment, southern regionRegional Forest Agreements: Comprehensive assessment, upper and lower north-east regionsRegional Forest Agreements: Interim Assessment Process (NSW)Riverina biogeographic regionWyong ShireLinks
References
Last updated: 15 December 2020 This page should be cited as: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2020) C-Plan Conservation Planning System, WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/resources/tools/assessment-search-tool/c-plan-conservation-planning-system/ |