Structural factors influencing conservation decision-making: a case of species prioritisation in Australia
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Prioritisation methods have been adopted for >20 years to inform resource allocation in species conservation. The academic literature on prioritisation focuses on technical matters, with little attention to the socio-political factors affecting the uptake of priorities. We investigated the policy instruments employed to promote uptake, and the structural factors affecting the uptake of priorities, using as our case study a species prioritisation method adopted by the Queensland Government (Australia). We interviewed 79 key informants and analysed policy documents and plans. The Queensland Government relied on 'information delivery' as a policy instrument to foster uptake. We identified communication channels to assist 'information delivery' between Government and intended users, but also found that several structural factors limited their use: fragmentation of policies, the relative strength of alternative priorities and centralisation of power in decision-making. We discuss the results in relation to other conservation planning initiatives and suggest how structural barriers can be addressed.
Journal
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
Publication Name
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
Volume
60
ISBN/ISSN
1360-0559
Edition
N/A
Issue
11
Pages Count
21
Location
N/A
Publisher
Routledge
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
N/A
Publish Date
N/A
Url
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Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1080/09640568.2016.1268107