Split diversity in constrained conservation prioritization using integer linear programming.

ABSTRACT: Phylogenetic diversity (PD) is a measure of biodiversity based on the evolutionary history of species. Here, we discuss several optimization problems related to the use of PD, and the more general measure split diversity (SD), in conservation prioritization.Depending on the conservation goal and the information available about species, one can construct optimization routines that incorporate various conservation constraints. We demonstrate how this information can be used to select sets of species for conservation action. Specifically, we discuss the use of species' geographic distributions, the choice of candidates under economic pressure, and the use of predator-prey interactions between the species in a community to define viability constraints.Despite such optimization problems falling

SUBMITTER: Chernomor O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4392707 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature