Multi-Objective Spatial Prioritisation for Protected-Area Network Expansion in Xinjiang, China

Establishing protected areas (PAs) in the right locations is essential for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's 30% target, yet existing PA networks are often misaligned with conservation needs. We used systematic conservation planning to identify priority areas in Xinjiang, China, under four objectives, biodiversity, landscape connectivity, ecosystem services, and their integration, by minimising a composite human-pressure cost while meeting quantitative representation targets, and connectivity was linked to priority setting by ranking patches by their contribution to overall landscape connectivity. The four solutions each covered 30% of Xinjiang but overlapped on 19.76% of the region, and no single objective satisfied all targets. The extant PA network was poorly aligned with these priorities; only 47.10-51.25% of its area fell within priority areas and 77.22-79.06% of priority areas lay outside existing PAs, leaving range-restricted species such as the Ili pika (Ochotona iliensis) (0.10% protected) largely uncovered. Most additional priority areas were expansion zones adjoining existing PAs, with a few large patches contributing disproportionately to connectivity. We therefore propose a tiered pathway: expand existing reserves, secure high-connectivity bridges, refine small patches through ground surveys, and complement by restoring small patches in human-modified landscapes with community participation and fiscal-transfer support.