Mapping Expert Knowledge: Redesigning the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

Expert consultation has been used to fill the information gaps that hamper conservation planning and nature reserve design. The use of expert knowledge in conservation planning is difficult, however, because it is subjective, biased, and value‐laden. Decision theory provides a systematic and comprehensive means for addressing experts' subjective—and sometimes contradictory—judgments in the design of nature reserves. Thus, the experts can separate the objective criteria from the subjective components of decision making that place value on those criteria. When linked to a geographic information system ( GIS ), these techniques foster consensus among experts by allowing the exploration of alternative designs in an iterative way. We used such a decision‐analysis approach to redesign the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve ( MBBR ) in central Mexico. We examined three reserve scenarios to identify the optimal overwintering habitats considering ( 1 ) an area equivalent to the previously defined boundaries of the core zone of the MBBR ( 4500 ha ); ( 2 ) an area equivalent to the previously defined boundaries of the whole MBBR ( 16,000 ha ); and ( 3 ) the maximum possible extent for a new core zone. This last scenario produced an area of 21,727 ha. These results were transferred to the GIS to create the respective nominal maps that were presented to the environmental authorities, who selected the third scenario for the core zone of the new MBBR. Our results allowed us to locate the prime overwintering habitats precisely and to delimit a core area for the reserve that would minimize the inclusion of forest stands valuable to local loggers.

Integrating Stakeholder Preferences and GIS-Based Multicriteria Analysis to Identify Forest Landscape Restoration Priorities

“…In the intelligence stage, we sought the opinion of stakeholders to identify and evaluate socioeconomic and environmental criteria [30]. Following Eastman et al [31], a thematic raster layer was developed for each of the criteria based on the available data for the study region.…”

“…Only three criteria (Distance from forest, rate of land use change, and risk of erosion) were mentioned by more than 50% of the people consulted ( Table 2). Identifying relevant criteria by means of expert opinion should be taken with caution because the expert knowledge can be incomplete, imprecise and value-biased [30]. Further, even when a set of criteria is eventually agreed upon by stakeholders, this may need to be modified considerably depending on the availability of data for practical application as shown by this study.…”

Ecological Correlates to Lemur Community Structure in Southeast Madagascar

“…We asked people (N = 18) to identify lemurs from illustrations in Mittermeier et al (1994), including physical descriptions of each species, and requested information on hunting techniques. Though it is ideal to measure the intensity of each response variable directly, many researchers use subjective measures or expert knowledge of anthropogenic disturbances in conservation biology (Bojorquez-Tapia et al, 2003;Ricketts and Imhoff, 2003;Ricketts et al, 1999) because of the difficulties in accurately measuring some variations, such as hunting pressures or a lack of time to conduct exhaustive scientific research or both (Davis et al, 1990). For example, Peres and Dolman (2000) used subjective measures of primate hunting pressures over a 100-yr period for 56 sites in Brazilian Amazonia.…”

“…For example, Peres and Dolman (2000) used subjective measures of primate hunting pressures over a 100-yr period for 56 sites in Brazilian Amazonia. To reduce inaccuracies inherent in the subjective measures (Bojorquez-Tapia et al, 2003), only Lehman estimated intensities of anthropogenic disturbances. Following Peres and Dolman (2000), we used a 4-point intensity scale at each site:…”

Assessing land use and land cover change using the participatory geographical information system (PGIS) approach in Nguruman Sub-catchment, Kajiado north Sub county, kenya

“…Moreover, the Ogiek, Sengwer and Yaiku indigenous communities in Kenya were able to initiate their own ancestral land and cultural rights, and natural land resource management projects after a participatory resource mapping exercise carried out in 2006 (Muchemi et al, 2009 Baaru and Gachene (2016) used PGIS to empower locals in their natural resource assessment and in identifying the problems faced by the community in Kathekakai -Machakos District, Kenya. Participatory approaches have also been useful in mapping areas that should be preserved (Bojorquez-Tapia et al, 2003;Brown et al, 2004;Kathumo and Gachene, 2012). As observed by Nabwire and Nyabenge (2006) and Kathumo and Gachene (2012), spatial inventories of natural resources, claiming land use rights and perceived problems can be documented through participatory GIS mapping, to enhance equitable and sustainable natural resource management.…”