Habitat allocation to maximize biodiversity: a technical description of the HAMBO model

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of spatial allocations of nature conservation, it is necessary that a benchmark allocation can be known that achieves the maximum ecological value at given costs. This calls for an optimisation model that takes into consideration the main ecological considerations, such as habitat type and connectivity. This document presents the HAMBO model (Habitat Allocation to Maximise BiOdiversity), which maximises the habitat quality of a nature reserve network for a number of species under a given financial budget. For each species the model takes into consideration the suitability of different ecosystems and the home range of the species. The document describes four ways to translate the spatial considerations in the ecological model LARCH to a linear optimisation model, and demonstrates the effects on conservation costs.