Marxan and Relatives: Software for Spatial Conservation Prioritization

Abstract

The original intent of Marxan and its predecessors was to solve a version of the minimum set reserve design problem (Cocks and Baird 1989; Chapter 3). In this problem, conservation targets are set for a number of biodiversity features (e.g. three populations of each species), and Marxan selects planning units that represent these targets for a minimum total cost, while allowing for more or less emphasis on spatially clustering the selected planning units. Marxan is now used to solve a range of spatial prioritization problems beyond the selection of reserves. The Marxan software is freely available and interacts with a variety of geographical information system (GIS) tools. It designs clumped reserve systems that make sense to a policy maker or planner.