Transparent framework for setting biodiversity targets
Biodiversity in a pastoral landscape (Richard Gordon).
Setting biodiversity management targets often relies on subjective processes such as expert opinion or political pressure. Other parties frequently question such targets as the processes used to identify them are not clear or repeatable.
We are providing a transparent approach to address this – a risk assessment framework for guiding biodiversity management. This enables the identification of meaningful targets and the construction of defensible action plans, based on explicitly defined functional relationships between land management and biodiversity.
We conducted proof-of-concept work for the framework, using trait-based modelling to simulate the effect of different land-use scenarios on bird biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. For example, if the goal was to have twice as many native bird species as exotic ones in farmland, then at least 15% woody vegetation cover would be required. This proof-of-concept is currently being tested and refined with Greater Wellington Regional Council, with a view to incorporating the tool into the New Zealand Sustainability Dashboard. This will help our regional council and industry partners to set farmland biodiversity management targets.