The spatial pattern of landscape reconstruction makes a substantial difference to
environmental outcomes. We develop a spatially explicit bio-economic model that optimises
the reconstruction of a heavily cleared landscape through revegetation. The model determines
the spatial priorities for revegetation that minimises economic costs subject to achieving
particular improvements in habitat for 29 woodland-dependent bird species. The study
focuses on the Avoca catchment (330 thousand ha) in North-Central Victoria. Our model
incorporates spatial pattern and heterogeneity of existing and reconstructed vegetation types.
The revegetation priorities are identified as being: sites in the vicinity of existing remnants,
riparian areas, and parts of the landscape with diverse land uses and vegetation types. Optimal
reconstruction design is affected by opportunity costs due to the loss of agricultural
production and the costs of revegetation.
1 Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy, School of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University
of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009
2 Department of Primary Industries, Rutherglen, RMB 1145 Chiltern Valley Rd, Rutherglen, Victoria, 3685
3 North Central Catchment Management Authority, PO Box 18, Huntly, Victoria, 355
