Area-based conservation in the twenty-first century

Area of Science:

• Conservation science
• Biodiversity
• Ecosystem services

Background:

• Global biodiversity crisis requires transformative conservation strategies.
• Area-based conservation (protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures) is a key strategy.
• Current efforts face challenges in ecological representation and management effectiveness.

Observation:

• Since 2010, protected area expansion shows limited success in covering diverse biodiversity elements (ecoregions, threatened species, Key Biodiversity Areas, wilderness).
• Coverage of vital ecosystem services (fisheries, carbon sequestration) also remains insufficient.
• Indigenous peoples, community groups, and private initiatives are crucial for conservation success.

Findings:

• Protected area expansion has not adequately increased coverage for biodiversity or ecosystem services.
• Existing conservation strategies fall short of stemming biodiversity loss effectively.
• Collaboration and integration with diverse conservation actors are essential.

Implications:

• Future area-based conservation must improve ecological representation and management effectiveness to meet global biodiversity goals.
• Enhanced collaboration with Indigenous peoples, local communities, and private initiatives is critical.
• Long-term success necessitates adequate financing, climate change adaptation, and integration into broader land, water, and sea management policies.