The impact of data realities on conservation planning

摘要: Abstract Conservation planning decisions are typically made on the basis of species distribution or occurrence data, which ideally would have complete spatial and taxonomic coverage. Agencies constrained in data they can collect, often pragmatically prioritising certain groups such as threatened species, methods, volunteer surveys. This mismatch between goals realities inevitably leads to bias uncertainty conservation outputs, yet few studies assessed how affect outputs. We conducted a sensitivity analysis Protection Index, method for assessing progress priorities, using an extensive dataset occurrences distributions derived from Florida Natural Areas Inventory. Analyses revealed high proportion records groups, reflecting agencies’ priorities. performed simulating ‘data poor’ scenario typical many real situations; we deleted increasing amounts both biased (exaggerating patterns observed) unbiased (random) manner. effects paucity value potential sites, Certain sites with only important were more sensitive depletion than those occurrences. Data based was influential site threat rank. To maximise benefit surveys perspective, it be better focus poorly surveyed areas rather adding already well represented sites. study demonstrates importance planning, that quality should not ignored.