The 'Back on Track' Method
Many conservation agencies are now facing the challenge of deciding how best to use limited resources on an increasing number of listed threatened species. As a result, there are a number of different species-prioritisation methods emerging around the world.
The 'Back on Track' species prioritisation framework is based on Marsh et al.(2006) Optimizing allocation of management resources for wildlife(Conservation Biology published online November 2006). This method provides an opportunity for both scientists and decision-makers (managers) to provide input, and can be applied across a range of taxonomic groups.
Bluegrass © Don Butler.
In Queensland, marine, freshwater and terrestrial flora and fauna species are being assessed using 'Back on Track'.
There are four stages to the 'Back on Track' species prioritisation process:
- Species assessments – where species native to Queensland are assessed by experts against multiple criteria;
- Criteria weighting – where criteria are weighted by senior decision-makers,
- Generating the species priority list, and
- State and NRM Regional workshops where NRM regional bodies undertake planning workshops using the results of 'Back on Track' as a starting point. Common threats to priority species are identified and management actions developed that will return the greatest conservation benefit from the resources invested.
Stage 1 – Species assessments
All species native to Queensland are assessed by technical experts in a series of workshops. In each workshop, a group of experts assess each species against three major sets of criteria (with sub components).
Stage 2 – Criteria Weighting
The criteria weighted by senior decision-makers and managers to reflect the priorities of their agencies and regional bodies.
This exercise has been carried out with senior managers of the Environmental Protection Agency (Executive Director and Regional Director level) to apply to all species in Queensland. Senior management of Queensland 's 14 Natural Resource Management regions (including Board members) are also undertaking this exercise, so that they can provide input on how to focus resources in their region.
Stage 3 – Generating the Species Priority List
Grey nurse shark © Environmental
Protection Agency.
When both the 'criteria weighting' and 'species assessment' stages of the prioritisation process have been completed, the final species priority list can be generated.
The expert score that each species obtained for each sub criterion is then multiplied by the weighting of each sub criterion to provide a component score. Component scores are then summed to provide a total score for each species out of a possible 400. The scores are then ranked, and species with the highest scores are given the highest priority ranking. Species will either be ranked as 'Critical Priority', 'High Priority, 'Medium Priority', 'Low Priority' and 'Poorly Known'(data deficient).
At the species assessment stage, research priorities are identified for data deficient species in order to focus research and other information gathering processes e.g. surveys.
Stage 4 – State and NRM Regional Workshops
With the support of the EPA, 14 Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies across Queensland will organise workshops within their regions (using local expertise) to develop on-ground management actions that will deliver the greatest conservation benefit for a range of species. By developing actions that target threats affecting multiple species, resources devoted to these projects will achieve the greatest conservation benefit. Actions that address threats at the habitat and ecosystem level are encouraged through this process.
Download a detailed description of the 'Back on Track' method.
Return to 'Back on Track' main page.
Last updated: 04 January 2007
