Held April 12-13, 2007 in Brisbane

Background

Marxan (Ian Ball and Hugh Possingham, 2000) is a software program used to support the design of marine and terrestrial reserves worldwide. Using Marxan, conservation planners can identify an efficient system of conservation sites that include a suite of biodiversity targets at a minimal cost. Marxan provides a unique method for designing reserves that is systematic and repeatable. 

It is the most utilized conservation planning tool worldwide; over 60 countries, 1100 users, and 600 organizations use Marxan to support the design of terrestrial and marine reserves. For example, it has been used to help zone the Great Barrier Marine Park, design marine reserves in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and set spatial priorities in the Romanian Carpathians to protect large carnivores. Marxan is available at no charge from The Spatial Ecology Lab: http://www.ecology.uq.edu.au/marxan.htm.

Course Description

This hands-on course provided participants with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to use Marxan in a conservation planning exercise. During the 2-day course, topics covered included:

• Key concepts in systematic conservation planning
• Creation of planning units
• Creating the essential Marxan input files
• Parameter setting in Marxan
• Understanding and using Marxan results

The course time was split between lectures (~30%) and hands-on exercises (~70%). Each participant had access to a computer equipped with Marxan and ArcGIS.   The course was supported by the CERF funded Australian Environmental Decision Analysis hub (AEDA) and the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust, and was designed and conducted by Carissa Klein and Matt Watts. Invitations were distributed far and wide and there was an overwhelming response. In total 37 people participated form as far afield as China, the Galapagos Islands and Fiji. The majority of participants were from around Australia, or were visiting Australia from their institute overseas.

A survey of all participants conducted indicated a very high satisfaction with the course, and provided valuable feedback for future training course. Some participating organisations indicated their interest in further training specifically for their organisation. Another introductory course and an advanced course will be conducted in November 2007.  These will be advertised on this web site.

Course Material for Download