Abstract Biodiversity loss is a major threat to the integrity of ecosystems and is projected to worsen, yet the path to successful conservation remains elusive. Decision support frameworks (DSFs) are increasingly applied by resource managers to navigate the complexity, uncertainty, and differing socio-ecological objectives inherent to conservation problems. Most published conservation research that uses DSFs focuses on analytical stages (e.g., identifying an optimal decision), making it difficult to assess and learn from previous examples in a conservation practice context. Here, we (1) evaluate the relationship between the application of decision science and the resulting conservation outcomes, and (2) identify and address existing barriers to the application of DSFs to conservation practice. To do this, we develop a framework for evaluating conservation initiatives using decision science that emphasizes setting attainable goals, building momentum, and obtaining partner buy-in. We apply this framework to a systematic review of amphibian conservation decision support projects, including a follow-up survey of the pertinent conservation practitioners, stakeholders, and scientists. We found that all projects identified optimal solutions to reach stated objectives, but positive conservation outcomes were limited when implementation challenges arose. Further, we identified multiple barriers (e.g., dynamic and hierarchical leadership, scale complexity, limited resource availability) that can inhibit the progression from decision identification to action implementation (i.e., ‘decision-implementation gap’), and to successful conservation outcomes. Based on these results, we provide potential actionable steps and avenues for future development of DSFs to facilitate the transition from decision to action and the realization of conservation successes.

中文翻译：

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保护科学从决策到行动

摘要 生物多样性丧失是生态系统完整性的主要威胁，预计会恶化，但成功保护的道路仍然难以捉摸。资源管理者越来越多地应用决策支持框架 (DSF) 来应对保护问题固有的复杂性、不确定性和不同的社会生态目标。大多数已发表的使用 DSF 的保护研究侧重于分析阶段（例如，确定最佳决策），因此很难在保护实践环境中评估和学习以前的例子。在这里，我们 (1) 评估决策科学的应用与由此产生的保护结果之间的关系，以及 (2) 确定并解决将 DSF 应用于保护实践的现有障碍。去做这个，我们使用决策科学开发了一个评估保护计划的框架，该框架强调设定可实现的目标、建立动力和获得合作伙伴的支持。我们将此框架应用于两栖动物保护决策支持项目的系统审查，包括对相关保护从业者、利益相关者和科学家的后续调查。我们发现所有项目都确定了实现既定目标的最佳解决方案，但在实施挑战出现时，积极的保护成果有限。此外，我们确定了多种障碍（例如，动态和层级领导、规模复杂性、有限的资源可用性），这些障碍可以抑制从决策识别到行动实施（即“决策-实施差距”）以及成功保护结果的进程。