Policyscape—A Spatially Explicit Evaluation of Voluntary Conservation in a Policy Mix for Biodiversity Conservation in Norway

We use spatially explicit indicators for biodiversity conservation status and opportunity costs of conservation to evaluate the role of voluntary forest conservation in a mix of policy instruments distributed across a landscape. We define a spatially explicit evaluation of a policy mix as a “policyscape analysis.” A policyscape analysis includes a comparison of (1) actual spatial overlap of instruments, (2) “functional overlap” of instruments in a cost-effectiveness space, and (3) complementary spatial targeting of instruments as computed by reserve site selection models. To illustrate, we evaluate the actual spatial coverage in cost-effectiveness space of Norway's public protected areas and private voluntary forest conservation. We use proxies for conservation value and opportunity cost—a national Nature Index for forests and forest productivity classes. We conclude by discussing the empirical challenges of our “policyscape analysis.” These have bearing on future “return-on-investment” analysis and reserve site selection modeling in Norway.