How to choose the best category for a protected area? A multicriteria analysis method based on ecosystem services conservation

This study proposes a novel methodology to define protected area (PA) categories based on the analysis of how much a PA can protect important ecosystem services (ESs). PA are important tools to minimize the continuing global biodiversity conservation crisis. However, the contribution of PA to conservation is variable, mainly due to the diverse management categories with which they can be associated. In order to support the assignment of a PA to a management category, a multicriteria analysis (MCA) strategy was developed. Essentially, it consisted of the application of an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and its association to management categories that could support the conservation of the most significant ESs. To test the methodology, the framework was applied to the Carijos Ecological Station (ESEC Carijos), Santa Catarina, Brazil, and its surrounding area of influence. Using the IUCN list of categories for the case study, it was found that IUCN Ia and IV could be the most efficient measures to protect important ESs at ESEC Carijos. Although the methodology was applied to a particular case, it could be employed worldwide, establishing the best category to be assigned to an existing or proposed potential PA.