Support for decision making in conservation practice: an evidence-based approach

Conservation managers are challenged with the task of compiling management plans in which they have to decide on appropriate actions to meet specific objectives. We argue that support for such decision-making is poor and that decision-makers have little opportunity to capture and evaluate the evidence for effectiveness of alternative management options. The result is that decisions are often made without access to the best quality evidence thus increasing the probability that inappropriate management options will be adopted. The aim of this paper is to propose a mechanism for increasing support by improving information flow to decision-makers within an evidence-based framework. The model of evidence-based practice in medicine and public health is used to explore possibilities for parallel practice in conservation. The processes of management plan and action plan formulation are used as examples of how this model provides opportunities to enhance information flow between scientists and practitioners and to encourage formation of productive partnerships and decision support systems, thereby improving effectiveness. Accessibility of evidence is a key issue addressed through the production of systematic reviews and their results being actively disseminated, in a usable format, to the point of need. The role of funding bodies and particularly governments in catalysing this process is seen as key to achieving more evidence-based conservation practice.