Introduction to Marxan

Submitted by lelder on Mon, 06/16/2008 - 2:43pm.
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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.uq.edu.au/marxan  

 

Course Description

This hands-on course will provide participants with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to use MARXAN in a conservation planning exercise.  During the 2-day course, we will cover

  • 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 will be split between lecture (~30%) and hands-on exercises (~70%).  Each participant will have access to a computer equipped with MARXAN and ArcGIS.   The course is partially supported by the CERF funded Australian Environmental Decision Analysis hub (AEDA) and the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust.

 

Registration

$600 (special rates apply to students and NGOs- please inquire).  This includes morning and afternoon tea.    Lunch is available at a number of venues around the University, or participants are welcome to bring their own and enjoy the University grounds.

For questions or further information, please contact Lindsay Kircher l.kircher@uq.edu.au or Karen Hurley k.hurley@uq.edu.au.  

Type of training: 
Multiple
Tool name: 
MARXAN
Training information
Training provider: 
The University of Queensland’s Ecology Centre,Spatial Ecology Laboratory
Reoccurring training opportunity?: 
Reoccurring
Training format : 
Classroom training
Training location: 
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia
Training website: 
http://www.uq.edu.au/marxan/index.html?page=84466
Contact information
Contact name: 
Lindsay Kircher
Contact email: 
l.kircher@uq.edu.au