Using structured evidence for decision support in protected area co-management

Purpose This paper examines how a discrete choice experiment can provide managers and committee members with structured evidence to coordinate action and justify priorities when mandates and evidence are fragmented across organizations. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes Portugal’s protected area co-management reform through the case of the Litoral Norte Natural Park. A discrete choice experiment was implemented using in-person surveys with local residents (May–June 2023). After excluding protest opt-outs, 138 responses were analyzed using conditional logit models, supported by specification checks and robustness tests. Findings The experiment generated structured evidence that can be used as a shared evaluative reference in multi-actor deliberation. By making trade-offs explicit and producing a clear hierarchy of priorities, the evidence supports the comparison of management options, the prioritization of measures and the justification of trade-offs; it can also strengthen the defensibility of decisions when incorporated into committee deliberation. In this case, erosion control and habitat and species preservation were prioritized, while tourism and nautical sports were secondary. Research limitations/implications The evidence reflects residents’ preferences and one protected area. The study does not observe committee uptake; future research should examine its use over time and across different co-managed parks. Social implications Transparent prioritization can support legitimacy and accountability when embedded in deliberative routines. Originality/value The paper reframes a discrete choice experiment as an applied evidence-use instrument for public sector management in protected area co-management, emphasizing decision support, coordination and justification rather than valuation per se.