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A Global Mitigation Hierarchy for Nature Conservation
William N S Arlidge1,2, Joseph W Bull3, Prue F E Addison4,2
1PhD student.
Bioscience
|May 8, 2018
Summary
Applying the mitigation hierarchy to biodiversity conservation can improve outcomes. This framework helps prioritize actions and evaluate conservation investments by considering counterfactuals and ecosystem dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Policy
- Ecosystem Management
Background:
- Current biodiversity conservation efforts, including international goals and national plans, are largely ineffective.
- There is a need for a more integrated and empirically evaluated approach to conservation interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the application of the mitigation hierarchy, a framework from economic development, to all negative human impacts on biodiversity.
- To assess how this hierarchy can improve the prioritization and evaluation of conservation goals and investments.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the mitigation hierarchy's applicability to biodiversity conservation.
- Discussion of challenges in operationalization, monitoring, and compliance.
- Identification of solutions and research priorities for implementing the framework.
Main Results:
- The mitigation hierarchy offers a structured approach to evaluate biodiversity losses and gains.
- It can drive empirical evaluation of conservation investments by considering counterfactual trends and ecosystem dynamics.
- Challenges include operationalization, monitoring, and ensuring compliance.
Conclusions:
- The mitigation hierarchy has the potential to clarify thinking and integrate diverse conservation elements.
- It could provide a necessary step change for achieving successful biodiversity outcomes.
- Further research and development are needed for its effective global implementation.
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