A global comparative analysis of impact evaluation methods in estimating the effectiveness of protected areas

摘要: Abstract Impact evaluation aims to estimate the effect of an intervention on intended, and perhaps unintended, outcomes compared no or different intervention. Traditional impact methods used in environmental sciences tend compare protected control areas that differ several characteristics, thereby hampering attribution causality such as lower rates deforestation occurring consequence protection. To overcome this problem, counterfactual have been developed improve sciences, including studies aim measure effects avoiding deforestation. The goal is achieved by identification carefully selected comparable areas. Here, we report a systematic review evaluate whether estimates about effectiveness area between traditional methods. We found from avoided due establishment were generally higher than those However, based linear models multivariate ordinations similar obtained Although rarely used, appear promising parts toolbox, although their limitations need be better understood.