Abstract
Marxan is reserve selection software that was developed to identify efficient, near-optimal spatial solutions to conservation planning. Here we describe its basic mechanisms and introduce previous studies to outline the program's use and potential applications. Marxan seeks sets of planning units to achieve a given conservation goal at minimum cost based on the principle of complementarity. It uses a wide array of conservation targets, including genetic diversity and habitat types as surrogates, in addition to species. We introduce previous studies focused on reserve selection under future climate or land-use change and on evaluating priority areas by considering trade-offs between biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. We also review research on priority areas for the reintroduction, restoration, and management of invasive species. Marxan depends on user-specified ecological and socioeconomic parameters and, therefore, may be subject to bias. Nevertheless, Marxan can suggest spatially explicit solutions based on conservation targets and given costs, facilitating the effective investment of monetary or human resources and aiding consensus among stakeholders and decision makers.
