International research over a decade shows two-thirds of conservation actions are effective, offering hope for endangered species

A comprehensive study spanning ten years has revealed that conservation measures are significantly effective at reducing global biodiversity loss. The research, involving 665 trials conducted worldwide and published in the prestigious journal Science, brings a “ray of light” for biodiversity, according to Dr. Penny Langhammer, executive vice-president of Re: wild.

The study, the first of its kind, examined a wide array of conservation strategies, from the hatching of Chinook salmon to the eradication of invasive algae. The results indicated that these measures positively impacted biodiversity in two-thirds of the cases studied. This finding is particularly encouraging as one out of every three species monitored is currently endangered due to human activities.

Some notable successes highlighted in the study include a 74% reduction in deforestation rates in the Congo Basin due to new management plans and a doubling of Least Tern breeding rates on Florida’s barrier islands thanks to effective predator management strategies.

However, the study also noted that in one out of every five cases, the conservation measures led to a decline in the targeted species. Despite this, Dr. Langhammer pointed out an interesting silver lining: even when interventions did not benefit the intended species, other species often unintentionally reaped advantages. For instance, marine protected areas designed for Australian seahorses inadvertently increased their natural predators’ populations, impacting the seahorses negatively.

The urgency of these efforts is underscored by the current extinction rate, which is 100 to 1,000 times faster than expected under natural conditions. This acceleration is driven by climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species spread. Dr. Joseph Bull, an associate professor at the University of Oxford, emphasized that while conservation efforts are proving effective, they are not funded adequately to truly reverse the global decline in biodiversity.

In response to the crisis, almost 200 countries signed the Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, committing to halt nature’s decline by the decade’s end and mobilizing at least $200 billion annually from various sources for conservation. However, current investments fall short, with only an estimated $121 billion being allocated each year.

The study also revealed a geographic imbalance in conservation research, with a significant number of trials conducted in Western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, and fewer in the biodiversity-rich Global South. Dr. Fiona Matthews from the University of Sussex noted this disparity, attributing it to the nature of academic publishing and funding rather than a failure of the researchers.

Looking ahead, further research aims to extend these studies to other parts of the world, ensuring a broader understanding of conservation impacts globally. The positive outcomes of this study bring not only hope but also a call to action for increased funding and international cooperation in conservation efforts, aimed at safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity for future generations