When and where to protect forests.

Area of Science:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Conservation science
• Ecology

Background:

• Deforestation is a primary driver of biodiversity loss globally.
• Limited conservation resources necessitate strategic planning for effective species protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify an optimal sequence for conserving plant species across 458 global forested ecoregions over 50 years.
• To develop a dynamic optimization model for prioritizing conservation investments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dynamic optimization approach incorporating species richness, complementarity, conservation costs, existing protection, deforestation rates, and reforestation potential.
• Modeled conservation strategies over a 50-year timeframe across 458 global forested ecoregions.

Main Results:

• The optimal strategy initially targets ecoregions with high species loss risk and low conservation costs.
• Conservation efforts expand over time to include more ecoregions, focusing on primary forest protection and reforestation.
• Significant species conservation gains are projected for Melanesia, South and Southeast Asia, the Anatolian peninsula, northern South America, and Central America.

Conclusions:

• Targeted investments in conservation yield substantial gains in protecting plant species.
• Dynamic optimization provides a framework for efficient and effective biodiversity conservation strategies.
• Integrating multiple factors like cost, risk, and potential for reforestation is crucial for successful conservation planning.