Factors

Abstract

A factor is anything that has the potential to influence or change a feature, or to affect the way in which a feature is managed. These influences may exist, or have existed, at any time in the past, present or future. Factors can be natural or anthropogenic in origin, and they can be internal (on-site) or external (off-site). This chapter introduces the concept and application of factors in management planning. Factors will be revisited at several key stages in the planning process for each feature: the selection of attributes for features, the selection of performance indicators for features and the management rationale. To avoid unnecessary repetition, a master list of all the factors is prepared at an early stage in the plan. The list should contain all the factors that have affected, are affecting, or may in the future affect, any of the features on a site. Once a master list has been prepared, it can be used to ensure that all the relevant factors are considered for each feature. The management of habitats and species is nearly always about controlling factors, or taking remedial action following the impact of a factor. Control means the removal, maintenance, adjustment or application of factors, either directly or indirectly. Factors can have a positive or negative influence. Some factors, for example, invasive alien species, will always be negative. Others, such as grazing, can be positive or negative. Our ability to achieve conservation objectives will always be constrained by our ability to control factors. We can never be certain that we have identified all the factors, and we should not assume that we fully understand the implications of each factor. However, management planning is a process, and we can only react to what is known and understood at any given time. Time will reveal our errors and failures, and then we can take different actions.