Implementation of the findings of recent research on the development and delivery of incentives, and an assessment of their effectiveness, would be a good starting point. Many of the economic theories underpinning approaches such as market-based instruments and cost-sharing are intuitively appealing, but require close monitoring about how successful they are in practice. Market-based instruments are only one tool for managing and conserving native vegetation, so it is important that a range of options and approaches is examined. Learning from approaches used in areas such as health and welfare has the potential to assist the NRM sector.

The development of a series of case studies that illustrates how monitoring and evaluation have led to management changes, and that addresses the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches at different scales, would be of value.

Assessing the Benefits of Vegetation Enhancement for Biodiversity: A Draft Framework  523 was demonstrated and tested in a series of case studies throughout Australia, but still requires further refinement. A project currently being undertaken by CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems for the Department of Environment and Heritage will test the framework using additional case studies to improve the use of GIS and mapping, refine the methodology and gain a better understanding of the minimum dataset required to provide an accurate picture of the benefits of vegetation enhancement.