Final answer:
A site evaluation must be conducted before site reclamation can begin to assess the necessary restoration actions. In conservation planning, the goal is to create a system of many small, interconnected protected areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before a site reclamation can begin, a site evaluation must be conducted. This is a necessary step to assess the current condition of the site, potential contaminants, existing ecosystems, and the overall extent of reclamation needed. Site evaluation is key to ensuring the success of the reclamation process, as it informs planners of the specific actions that need to be taken to restore the site to its former condition or to make it suitable for a new purpose. It serves as the foundation for reclamation planning, which can include strategies such as the establishment of protected areas. When it comes to setting up protected areas for conservation purposes, planners should aim to create comprehensive, effectively managed, and ecologically representative systems. This is achieved through gap analysis and subsequent planning that can involve setting up many small protected areas rather than selecting a single, isolated area, thereby maintaining ecological connectivity and resilience.