Changing spatial patterns of conservation investment by a major land trust

摘要: Abstract While numerous scientific publications have used biological data and sometimes decision theory to identify where conservation funds should be invested, studies that examine money for actually has been spent how investment patterns changed through time are scarce. We analyze changing spatial of spending on land protection, using investments by a major organization, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in the conterminous United States as case study. focus protection made TNC four decades (1970–2009) fee simple easement acquisitions. During this period, expanded accelerated its conservation. compare different states via two metrics: (1) amount acquire (2) overall area protected. metrics, while correlated, reveal information about TNC’s patterns. activity undertook shows pronounced variation when measured either protected or cost acquiring area. regression approach relate levels across each decade suite socioeconomic factors relevant effectiveness resource allocation decisions. Through time, these variables able explain greater into states. richness native species per state showed strongest association with levels. However, costs also influenced recent but ways differed protect it.