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The positive impact of conservation action
Penny F Langhammer1,2, Joseph W Bull3,4,5, Jake E Bicknell4
1Re:wild, PO Box 129, Austin, TX 78767, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 25, 2024
Summary
Conservation actions significantly benefit biodiversity, with two-thirds of studies showing improvements or slowed declines. Effective strategies include invasive species control, habitat restoration, and protected areas, highlighting the need for scaled-up conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Global biodiversity loss is a critical issue, prompting new international conservation targets.
- Understanding the effectiveness of conservation actions is essential for achieving these targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a global meta-analysis evaluating the outcomes of conservation actions on biodiversity.
- To provide robust evidence on the success rates and impact of various conservation interventions.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 186 studies comprising 665 trials was performed.
- Biodiversity changes over time were measured, comparing conservation actions against a 'no action' counterfactual.
Main Results:
- Conservation actions were effective in two-thirds of cases, either improving biodiversity or mitigating declines.
- Interventions like invasive species control, habitat restoration, protected areas, and sustainable management demonstrated high effectiveness with large effect sizes.
Conclusions:
- Conservation actions are demonstrably successful in preserving and restoring biodiversity.
- Significant scaling up of these proven conservation strategies is required to meet global biodiversity targets.
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