Towards Coherence in Site Networks
Waterbirds around the world. Eds. G.C. Boere, C.A. Galbraith & D.A. Stroud. The Stationery Office, Edinburgh, UK. pp. 673-674. 2006
4 Pages Posted: 11 Apr 2015
Date Written: 2006
Abstract
When does a collection of sites become a network? And when does a network become coherent? Network administrators are often vague in defining the purposes and targets for individual networks. As a result, “coherence” often means little more than “a network that includes all my sites”. Objectives of a site network must foster a synergy of the functions and values of its parts. The objectives (and strategies) of key site networks are explored to give the concept a more scientific basis, so that it can be a credible statutory objective and a yardstick for measuring success. Issues include: cost-effectiveness (geographical concentration); risk reduction (geographical spread); “capture”; “completion”; representativity; and viability. These objectives have implications for the way statutory site frameworks are operated, and the policy choices to be made. This paper challenges us to be more specific about the ecological meaning that underpins our network concepts, and also briefly comments on site network coherence within existing legal frameworks.
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