Exact integer linear programming solvers outperform simulated annealing for solving conservation planning problems

PeerJ
Richard SchusterJoseph Bennett

Abstract

The resources available for conserving biodiversity are limited, and so protected areas need to be established in places that will achieve objectives for minimal cost. Two of the main algorithms for solving systematic conservation planning problems are Simulated Annealing (SA) and exact integer linear programing (EILP) solvers. Using a case study in BC, Canada, we compare the cost-effectiveness and processing times of SA used in Marxan versus EILP using both commercial and open-source algorithms. Plans for expanding protected area systems based on EILP algorithms were 12-30% cheaper than plans using SA, due to EILP's ability to find optimal solutions as opposed to approximations. The best EILP solver we examined was on average 1,071 times faster than the SA algorithm tested. The performance advantages of EILP solvers were also observed when we aimed for spatially compact solutions by including a boundary penalty. One practical advantage of using EILP over SA is that the analysis does not require calibration, saving even more time. Given the performance of EILP solvers, they can be used to generate conservation plans in real-time during stakeholder meetings and can facilitate rapid sensitivity analysis, and contribute to a more ...Continue Reading

References

May 23, 2000·Nature·C R Margules, R L Pressey
Oct 20, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Robin NaidooMathieu Rouget
May 13, 1983·Science·S KirkpatrickM P Vecchi
Sep 2, 2008·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Robert L Pressey, Madeleine C Bottrill
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Jun 12, 2014·PloS One·Richard SchusterPeter Arcese
Jun 25, 2014·PLoS Biology·Oscar VenterJames E M Watson
Apr 17, 2019·Nature Communications·Richard SchusterJoseph R Bennett
Nov 7, 2019·Scientific Reports·Amanda D RodewaldPeter Arcese

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Citations

Jul 14, 2021·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Daniele BaiseroAndrew J Plumptre

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Software Mentioned

Marxan
Gurobi
Rsymphony
prioritizr
prioritizr R
R
R package
SYMPHONY
R package prioritizr
eBird

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