Policy instruments for the conservation of remnant vegetation on private land

The conservation of remnant vegetation is a central issue for conservation of biodiversity in many countries of old agricultural settlement. Remnants are of two main types: those whose biological interest depend on a continuation of traditional, usually agricultural, land use practices and survivors of pre-agricultural vegetation. Conservation of both types concerned requires active management, although the details of the required management differ between the types. It is shown that, on theoretical grounds, incentive instruments as opposed to sanctions are needed to motivate land-holders to carry out the necessary management. The principal instruments for conserving remnant vegetation types are various forms of management agreements. This paper examines the theoretical case for using different types of management agreements to protect remnants on private land. A model distinguishing different types of risk facing remnants is developed and it is argued that different approaches are needed for the different types of risk. It is shown that the state of the stock of the remnants is a principal determinant of instrument design. The paper considers a range of management agreements that apply to different types of remnants. Economic factors are less important although they have some impact on the design. In particular, where positive management is needed to protect a remnant, the risk of damage from neglect is an important factor. The relative risk from agricultural operations and from neglect can best be decided by studying the reasons why they have survived to date. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.