David B. Lindenmayer|Charles Zammit|Simon Attwood|Emma C. Burns|Claire L. Shepherd|Geoff Kay|Jeff T. Wood
A Novel and Cost-Effective Monitoring Approach for Outcomes in an Australian Biodiversity Conservation Incentive Program
Australian National University|Australian Research Council|Australian Government|Australian Government|Australian National University|Australian National University|Australian Research Council|Australian National University|Australian Research Council|Australian National University
report design implementation ecological monitoring australian biodiversity conservation incentive scheme environmental stewardship program program uses competitive auctions contract individual land managers 15 years conserve matters national environmental significance initial priority nationally threatened ecological communities ecological monitoring explicitly aligned programs policy objective desired outcomes applied programs initial project targeted critically endangered white boxyellow boxblakelys red gum grassy woodland derived native grassland ecological community south eastern australia woodlands reduced 3 original extent persist mostly small remnants variable condition private farmland established monitoring sites 153 farms located 172232 sq km farm established monitoring site within woodland patch funded management wherever possible matched control site monitoring entailed gathering data vegetation condition reptiles birds also gathered data costs experimental design site establishment field survey data analysis costs monitoring approximately 85 programs investment first four years hence broad accord general rule thumb 510 programs funding invested monitoring initial monitoring site benchmarking completed propose implement novel rotating sampling approach maintain scientific integrity achieving annual costefficiency 23 discuss useful lessons relevant monitoring programs need provide managers reliable early evidence program effectiveness demonstrate opportunities costefficiencies