title: Using modeling tools for implementing feasible land use and nature conservation governance systems in small islands - The Pico Island (Azores) case-study.
abstract: The present study deals with the development of systematic conservation planning as management instrument in small oceanic islands, ensuring open systems of governance, and able to integrate an informed and involved participation of the stakeholders. Marxan software was used to define management areas according a set of alternative land use scenarios considering different conservation and management paradigms. Modeled conservation zones were interpreted and compared with the existing protected areas allowing more fused information for future trade-outs and stakeholder's involvement. The results, allowing the identification of Target Management Units (TMU) based on the consideration of different development scenarios proved to be consistent with a feasible development of evaluation approaches able to support sound governance systems. Moreover, the detailed geographic identification of TMU seems to be able to support participated policies towards a more sustainable management of the entire island.
authors.affiliation: ICAAM - Instituto de Ciências Agrícolas e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Portugal; Departamento de Paisagem, Ambiente e Ordenamento, Universidade de Évora, Portugal.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Paisagem, Ambiente e Ordenamento, Universidade de Évora, Portugal; e-GEO Centro de Estudos de Geografia e Planeamento Regional, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.affiliation: ICAAM - Instituto de Ciências Agrícolas e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Portugal; Departamento de Paisagem, Ambiente e Ordenamento, Universidade de Évora, Portugal. Electronic address: nunogui@uevora.pt.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guiomar
authors.affiliation: Ce3C - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, University of the Azores (Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Department of Biology), Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil
mesh_terms: D001394:Azores; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D058735:Environmental Policy; D006076:Government; D008962:Models, Theoretical
keywords: Conservation targets; Conservation trade-offs; Island National Park (INP); Nature conservation; Planning units