Conservation strategies combining species richness and visual value (Arizona, Mexico)

Because multiple goals exist for the conservation of nature, a comparison of different techniques was needed by which multiple goals may be combined into a single best methodology to determine nature reserve placement. The methods developed and presented here for the design and placement of conservation reserves are based on the biotic and visual elements in the San Pedro River region of Arizona, U.S.A. and Sonora, Mexico. Different reserve designs were compared, based on the modeling methods used to create each, to determine their relative ability to conserve the natural environment. The models are termed species richness, visual value, scored, merged, and integrated and reflect the method by which they conserve the natural environment. The evaluation techniques used to compare the different models are representation of species, length of reserve edge, in-holding area, number of view-from cells, representation of attractive cover types, mean view heterogeneity, and number of mountain views. Each evaluation technique reflected an element important to the conservation of terrestrial vertebrate species diversity or visual value.; Each of the models was examined to determine how well it performs given a de novo situation. The spatial locations selected as conservation reserves shifted with the model, even though high species diversity and highly visually valued locations did not shift. Analysis of the different evaluation techniques showed that the integrated model provides a good middle ground approach, although some evaluation criteria were compromised to optimize another. Methods utilized to combine models in past research combined a biotic and visual model by simple overlay techniques, which merged the output of the biotic and visual models into a single reserve design. By using the integrated modeling technique presented here an increase in the representation of a minimum number of species and a minimum number of attractive views occurred. Results varied by model and researchers may choose to select a different modeling strategy based on their goals.; A priori reserve designation, (referred to as the existing reserve design), was compared with a de novo reserve design using the integrated species richness and visual value model. Current reserves lacked some key elements for conserving the biotic and visual elements of the region. Instances occurred where species or attractive cover type views lacked any presence within a current reserve. A reserve design was then created to indicate a possible path for future reserve designation.