A robust optimization approach for solving problems in conservation planning

摘要

Highlights?We propose a robust optimization approach to problems in conservation planning.?We apply the method to two of the basic formulations in conservation planning.?We show the value of the method in reserve selection and invasive species control.?We propose a bi-objective optimization technique to handle infeasibility.AbstractIn conservation planning, the data related to size, growth and diffusion of populations is sparse, hard to collect and unreliable at best. If and when the data is readily available, it is not of sufficient quantity to construct a probability distribution. In such a scenario, applying deterministic or stochastic approaches to the problems in conservation planning either ignores the uncertainty completely or assumes a distribution that does not accurately describe the nature of uncertainty. To overcome these drawbacks, we propose a robust optimization approach to problems in