An interoperable and standardized protocol for reporting systematic conservation planning projects

Abstract Systematic conservation planning ( SCP ) is an operational and scientific framework that assists in deciding where, how, and when to implement conservation intervention. Studies using SCP approaches have proliferated due to their immediate relevance for applied conservation. For example, they can help identify cost‐effective opportunities for expanding areas under conservation management to achieve high‐level policy goals such as those of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Yet SCP can be conducted in various ways, and results can vary depending on problem formulation, parameterizations, contexts, and prioritization approaches. There is a need to facilitate comparison of SCP studies to understand key criteria and assumptions made in the planning process. Here, we propose a standardized reporting protocol for SCP that is readily applicable across study aims, realms, and spatial scales. The new Overview and Design Protocol for Systematic Conservation Planning ( ODPSCP ) describes the key steps from the design to the computational stages of SCP . It enables researchers, scientific editors, and decision‐ and policymakers to assess the scope and comprehensiveness of SCP exercises. To facilitate uptake and ease of reporting, the protocol is openly available through an interactive web interface and which can be further enhanced following methodological advancements in conservation planning. We encourage the conservation community to adopt the reporting protocol to promote transparency and reproducibility, standardized reporting as well as facilitate peer review and independent evaluation.

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Publication Details

Journal
Conservation Science and Practice
Published
2025-06-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70097
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Remote Sensing and LiDAR Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.60

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article

An interoperable and standardized protocol for reporting systematic conservation planning projects

Jeffrey O. Hanson, Sylvaine Giakoumi, Diogo Alagador, Martin Jung et al.
2 citations
Conservation Science and Practice
Remote Sensing and LiDAR Applications
1.60
article

An interoperable and standardized protocol for reporting systematic conservation planning projects

Jeffrey O. Hanson, Sylvaine Giakoumi, Diogo Alagador, Martin Jung, Richard Schuster, Louise M. J. O’Connor, Piero Visconti, Robert J. Smith, Miguel B. Araújo, Vanessa M. Adams, Maria Beger, Heini Kujala, Virgilio Hermoso, Jutta Beher, Sílvia B. Carvalho, Anna Meta×as, Anni Arponen, Kerstin Jantke, Jennifer McGowan, José Salgado‐Rojas, Jorge G. Álvarez‐Romero
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Abstract Systematic conservation planning ( SCP ) is an operational and scientific framework that assists in deciding where, how, and when to implement conservation intervention. Studies using SCP approaches have proliferated due to their immediate relevance for applied conservation. For example, they can help identify cost‐effective opportunities for expanding areas under conservation management to achieve high‐level policy goals such as those of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Yet SCP can be conducted in various ways, and results can vary depending on problem formulation, parameterizations, contexts, and prioritization approaches. There is a need to facilitate comparison of SCP studies to understand key criteria and assumptions made in the planning process. Here, we propose a standardized reporting protocol for SCP that is readily applicable across study aims, realms, and spatial scales. The new Overview and Design Protocol for Systematic Conservation Planning ( ODPSCP ) describes the key steps from the design to the computational stages of SCP . It enables researchers, scientific editors, and decision‐ and policymakers to assess the scope and comprehensiveness of SCP exercises. To facilitate uptake and ease of reporting, the protocol is openly available through an interactive web interface and which can be further enhanced following methodological advancements in conservation planning. We encourage the conservation community to adopt the reporting protocol to promote transparency and reproducibility, standardized reporting as well as facilitate peer review and independent evaluation.

Conservation Science and PracticeVol. 7(7)
University of Tasmania (AU), Dalhousie University (CA), University of Leeds (GB), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (AT), University of Turku (FI), Universität Hamburg (DE), The University of Queensland (AU), Tampere University (FI), Universidade do Porto (PT), University of Kent (GB), University of Évora (PT), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (IT), Estación Biológica de Doñana (ES), Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (ES), Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (ES), Finnish Museum of Natural History (FI), Nature Conservancy of Canada (CA), Carleton University (CA), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (ES)
Biodiversa+, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Austrian Science Fund, Koneen Säätiö, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Remote Sensing and LiDAR Applications
1.60
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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