Split diversity in constrained conservation prioritization using integer linear programming

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 into the area of NP hard problems, it is possible to solve them in a reasonable amount of time using integer programming. We apply integer linear programming to a variety of models for conservation prioritization that incorporate the SD measure. We exemplarily show the results for two data sets: the Cape region of South Africa and a Caribbean coral reef community. Finally, we provide user-friendly software at http://www.cibiv.at/software/pda.

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Authors
  • von Haeseler, Arndt
  • Bui, Minh Q.
  • Chernomor, Olga
  • Henzinger, Monika
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Shortfacts
Category
Journal Paper
Divisions
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Theory and Applications of Algorithms
Subjects
Informatik Sonstiges
Journal or Publication Title
Methods in Ecology and Evolution
ISSN
2041-210X
Publisher
WILEY-BLACKWELL
Place of Publication
111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA
Page Range
pp. 83-91
Number
1
Volume
6
Date
January 2015
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