How percentage-protected targets can support positive biodiversity outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Conservation science, ecology, and environmental policy.
• Focuses on the ecological basis and effectiveness of global protected area targets.

Background:

• Global targets for protected land area (e.g., 30% by 2030) are increasingly prominent.
• The scientific basis and effectiveness of these percentage-protected targets have been questioned.
• Protected areas are vital for biodiversity due to species' sensitivity to human disturbance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the scientific basis and effectiveness of global percentage-protected area targets.
• To discuss how protected areas can contribute to biodiversity outcomes within broader landscape management.
• To advocate for a balanced approach that integrates scientific evidence with pragmatic conservation goals.

Main Methods:

• The study synthesizes existing scientific literature and ecological principles.
• It analyzes the role of protected areas within diverse geographical and socio-political contexts.
• Examines the contingency of conservation outcomes on factors like location, management, and governance.

Main Results:

• Percentage-protected targets are empirical generalizations and insufficient in isolation.
• Their effectiveness depends on location, management, governance, and landscape context.
• Protected areas can complement other conservation actions and strengthen national biodiversity strategies.

Conclusions:

• Global protected area targets should serve as ambitious anchors for national biodiversity strategies.
• Clear communication of the evidence base and the role of protected areas in broader landscapes is essential.
• A new paradigm emphasizes national support for diverse, locally led conservation initiatives, maintaining a biodiversity focus in definitions.