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The key elements of a comprehensive global mammal conservation strategy
Carlo Rondinini1, Ana S L Rodrigues, Luigi Boitani
1Global Mammal Assessment programme, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale dell'Università 32, 00185 Rome, Italy. carlo.rondinini@uniroma1.it
Summary
A unified global strategy is essential for worldwide mammal conservation, integrating data on species, threats, and costs to prioritize actions effectively.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Global Ecology
- Biodiversity Studies
Background:
- Effective worldwide mammal conservation requires coordinated strategies and optimized resource allocation.
- Previous research focused on phylogeny, extinction risk, and priority species/areas.
- Key elements for a strategy include institutional ownership, clear goals, quantitative targets, indicators, and data on species distribution, threats, and conservation cost-effectiveness.
Discussion:
- This theme issue introduces novel elements for a global mammal conservation strategy.
- It presents an updated Red List Index and identifies evolutionarily distinct, globally endangered species.
- New high-resolution mammal distribution models, connectivity analyses, and future distribution scenarios under climate change are included.
Key Insights:
- Area prioritization schemes now incorporate mammalian phylogeny, governance, and cost-benefit analyses for habitat loss mitigation.
- The research provides updated data and models crucial for informed conservation planning.
- A comprehensive approach is presented, moving beyond existing knowledge gaps.
Outlook:
- The findings lay the groundwork for a unifying global mammal conservation strategy.
- Continued efforts should focus on integrating diverse data and analytical tools.
- Addressing remaining knowledge gaps is crucial for the long-term success of mammal conservation efforts worldwide.
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