Maximizing Species Representation under Limited Resources: A New and Efficient Heuristic

The maximal covering species problem (MCSP) is becoming an accepted method for selecting networks of reserves for the preservation of species and their habitats. Drawing on experience with the MC location P (MCLP), we expect that the objective function in the region of the optimum is quite flat. This implies many equal-optimal and near-optimal solutions for any particular problem. We propose a new type of heuristic for the MCSP: an interchange heuristic which frequently provides a better solution than greedy adding heuristics now commonly used. The proposed interchange heuristic, with multiple random starts, gives one a range of alternative sets of sites rather than a single mathematically selected solution, from which a final satisfactory solution can be chosen. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]