The prioritizr R package uses mixed integer linear programming (MILP) techniques to provide a flexible interface for building and solving conservation planning problems (Rodrigues et al. 2000; Billionnet 2013). It supports a broad range of objectives, constraints, and penalties that can be used to custom-tailor conservation planning problems to the specific needs of a conservation planning exercise. Once built, conservation planning problems can be solved using a variety of commercial and open-source exact algorithm solvers. In contrast to the algorithms conventionally used to solve conservation problems, such as heuristics or simulated annealing (Ball et al. 2009), the exact algorithms used here are guaranteed to find optimal solutions. Furthermore, conservation problems can be constructed to optimize the spatial allocation of different management actions or zones, meaning that conservation practitioners can identify solutions that benefit multiple stakeholders. Finally, this package has the functionality to read input data formatted for the Marxan conservation planning program (Ball et al. 2009), and find much cheaper solutions in a much shorter period of time than Marxan (Beyer et al. 2016). See the online code repository for more information.
This package contains several vignettes that are designed to
showcase its functionality. To view them, please use the code
vignette("name", package = "prioritizr") where "name" is the
name of the desired vignette (e.g., "gurobi_installation").
Background information on systematic conservation planning and a comprehensive overview of the package and its usage.
Tutorial using Tasmania, Australia as a case-study. This tutorial uses vector-based planning unit data and is written for individuals familiar with the Marxan decision support tool.
Tutorial using Salt Spring Island, Canada as a case-study. This tutorial uses raster-based planning unit data.
Tutorial on using multiple management actions or zones to create detailed prioritizations.
Instructions for installing and setting up the Gurobi optimization software for use with the package.
Reports run times for solving conservation planning problems of varying size and complexity using different solvers.
List of publications that have cited the package.
Ball IR, Possingham HP, and Watts M (2009) Marxan and relatives: Software for spatial conservation prioritisation in Spatial conservation prioritisation: Quantitative methods and computational tools. Eds Moilanen A, Wilson KA, and Possingham HP. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
Beyer HL, Dujardin Y, Watts ME, and Possingham HP (2016) Solving conservation planning problems with integer linear programming. Ecological Modelling, 228: 14--22.
Billionnet A (2013) Mathematical optimization ideas for biodiversity conservation. European Journal of Operational Research, 231: 514--534.
Rodrigues AS, Cerdeira OJ, and Gaston KJ (2000) Flexibility, efficiency, and accountability: adapting reserve selection algorithms to more complex conservation problems. Ecography, 23: 565--574.