Name: Threat Ranking Tool (Miradi Software)

Reference: Miradi 4.1.3 software available for download: https://miradi.org/

Miradi web tutorial: http://elearn.tnc.org/cap/miradi/player.html

Self-guided tutorial: http://www.conservationgateway.org/Documents/Miradi-Self-guided-Tutorial_2012-10-22.pptx

Conservation Measures Partnership (2013) Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation. Version 3.0. http://cmp-openstandards.org/

Guidance:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.panda.org%2Fstandards%2F1_4_threats_ranking&ei=BI1vVLKLBrOxsAT5uIGICw&usg=AFQjCNGyJ9mjeXas_w8BbhbkbtuhwPeZHg&sig2=uhWiZAEKoNS780qpiQmQAQ&bvm=bv.80185997,d.cWc&cad=rja


Conservation planning step(s) when this would be used: This is used during the threats analysis component of the Review Status step.

Description of tool use:  This tool uses either a simple or stress-based threat ranking which is based on a combination of scope, severity, and irreversibility. The tool provides specific categories for each ranking (e.g. Low: The effects of the threat are easily reversible and the target can be easily restored at a relatively low cost and/or within 0-5 years, e.g., off-road vehicles trespassing in wetland) and summarizes the overall threat index ranking using a rule-based system. This tool is part of the Miradi software suite of tools, designed to facilitate the planning framework developed by the Conservation Measures Partnership.

Experience and expertise required to use the tool: This tool is easily assimilated and does not require a high level of specialist expertise.

Data requirements: The tool can be used effectively in situations that are data poor.

Cost: There are a number of cost options appropriate for open-source software, with licensing and financial principles found here: https://www.miradi.org/faqs/. Low or no-cost options are available as well as trial versions. 

Strengths and weaknesses, when to use and interpret with caution: The strength of the Miradi threat ranking tool is that it guides practitioners through the process of rating direct threats to determine which are the most important to address. After users respond to questions on topics such as the scope and severity of threats, the program uses scoring algorithms to rank the threats to determine those that require priority attention. This allows for users to develop a relative index of threats for their project/plan with associated information that can be used for prioritization.

The accuracy of the threat assessment will only be as robust as the experts who are using the tool or the information that is provided for the tool. In addition, the algorithms that are used to rank the threats can be inconsistent, and can sometimes produce results that are incongruous. The prioritization of threats using this tool should be used in conjunction with other sources of information. 

Case study: Hundreds of case studies that use the Open Standards and Miradi framework can be found at https://www.miradishare.org/  and at http://www.rare.org/places/#.VG-Xx8n4Ksw  (multiple languages/organizations available).

Example: Akumal Talum, Mexico; https://www.miradishare.org/reports/projectThreats/tnc-thenatureconserva-2014-00164/

Back to Abruzzi Table 1.
___________________________________________________________________________
Contributor(s): Amielle DeWan
Affiliation: IFAW
Email: adewan@ifaw.org
Date: 7 February 2011