Caroline Petersen’s Post

💡A new article in Science Magazine finds that over time, global conservation efforts are effective in preserving biodiversity and ecosystems on a global scale. ✅ Key takeaways from the article include: 🌱Conservation interventions have shown positive impacts, including preventing extinctions and reducing extinction risks. 🦋In two-thirds of trials, conservation either improved the state of biodiversity (absolute positive impacts, 45.4%), or at least slowed declines (relative positive impacts, 20.6%). 🪸Specific interventions such as eradication of invasive species and habitat protection have demonstrated significant positive effects. 👉 You can read the full article and it’s insights here: https://lnkd.in/dHvrsSXi

A new study in Science confirms, at a very large scale, that biodiversity conservation works. Two thirds of the interventions in the study either improved biodiversity or at least halted declines. This is important as it shows that we need to scale up what is currently working rather than despair that it can't be done. There are interesting nuances, including the fact that a fifth of interventions had a negative effect - understanding these and identifying them early on would allow for a better, evidence-based approach. The associated news story also points out the dearth of studies in important biodiversity-rich areas in the Global South. Original study: https://lnkd.in/eGhB76DS BBC News story: https://lnkd.in/eXcxgNCY

Conservation is working! These are the findings of Langhammer et al. in their new paper published in Science Magazine that carried out a meta-analysis of 665 conservation programmes across the world. But we need much more of it and current funding for biodiversity conservation is insufficient to recover nature and meet the global targets set in the Global Biodiversity Framework. https://lnkd.in/eScYnzc5

The science is fairly conclusive, conservation works! The meta-analysis found that in two-thirds of cases, conservation either improved the state of biodiversity or at least slowed declines. Specifically, interventions targeted at species and ecosystems, such as invasive species control, habitat loss reduction and restoration, protected areas, and sustainable management, are highly effective and have large effect sizes. #conservation #biodiversity #landmanagement #scienceandenvironment

Conservation works - we just need more of it! That needs resources and political will from governments across the world. Insightful study by team at Re:wild and many others. Summed up nicely in the discussion section of the paper: "Although the state of biodiversity is declining across the globe in absolute terms, conservation actions work most of the time—the challenge now is to expand these to the scale necessary to reverse the global biodiversity crisis. That is, conservation interventions are working but there are simply not enough conservation actions implemented or in the right places. Realizing the highly ambitious vision of the Global Biodiversity Framework—not simply to slow declines of biodiversity by the end of the decade but to reverse them—will require ... substantially scaled-up funding and commitment for implementation of demonstrably effective conservation interventions ... which in turn depends on increased political will and investment."

Some good news as we head into the weekend. A new study published in Science shows that conservation slows biodiversity loss 🙌   💡A research team led by the conservation organisation Re:wild, the University of Oxford, the University of Kent and the IUCN, found that conservation efforts either improved biodiversity or at least slowed its decline in two-thirds of cases. Effective strategies include: ✅ Controlling invasive species ✅ Reducing habitat loss ✅ Restoring the environment ✅ Creating protected areas ✅ Promoting sustainable management 📣 This research not only provides strong evidence that conservation works, but it also underlines the need to step up efforts to meet global conservation targets and reverse biodiversity loss. https://lnkd.in/dHvrsSXi #restorenature #biodiversity #conservation #naturerestoration

Do conservation efforts result in positive outcomes for biodiversity? As governments around the world have adopted global targets to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity, it’s important to understand the outcomes of conservation actions. A recent meta-analysis finds that two-thirds of the time,  conservation actions had a net positive effect—but did not necessarily stop biodiversity decline. What does this mean in layman’s terms? Conservation actions including protected areas and management provide better outcomes for biodiversity than no action. Read the full study in Science Magazine: https://bit.ly/4baEdya  

#sciencesunday Are we truly having an impact on biodiversity conservation? The ongoing biodiversity crisis demands urgent intervention to shield species from extinction and ecosystems from major damage. Every year, billions of dollars are directed toward worldwide conservation efforts. It's crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives in promoting biodiversity to inform future approaches. A study by Langhammer et al. analyzed whether conservation actions, such as protected areas and management, lead to improved outcomes compared to doing nothing. The study concluded that in over half of the cases, conservation measures had a beneficial effect, though they did not completely halt the global decline in biodiversity. Putting the costs into perspective, they concluded: "Although high, these costs are dwarfed by the value that biodiversity provides to society through the delivery of ecosystem services. Thus, conservation actions are investments rather than payments—and, as our study demonstrates, they are typically investments that yield genuine, high-magnitude positive impacts." Get the full study from Science Magazine: https://lnkd.in/dHvrsSXi

🔬 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲-𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀! Last week, Science Magazine published a research paper, by experts from IUCN, Re:wild, BirdLife International and many other organisations, analysing 665 conservation initiatives around the world with regard to their effects on biodiversity levels. 📈 The study established that in two-thirds of cases, conservation either 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 the state of biodiversity or at least 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀. 🤝 It also emphasized that multiple types of conservation actions are usually beneficial and needed to curb biodiversity loss. 🌎 The categories analysed include management of protected areas, climate change adaptation and control of pollution. These are areas to which EAZA Members also contribute. 💪 This is great evidence to remain optimistic and keep up with the great work our community is doing! However, it also shows there is room for improvement. So, let's work together to take that 67% effectiveness to 100%! 💚 Curious about the results? Read the paper here ➡️ https://loom.ly/AosuxyE #wildlife #conservation #research #savingspeciestogether #eaza

The first global assessment of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) reveals their significant contribution to the '30x30' biodiversity Target 3. This groundbreaking study highlights the role of OECMs in complementing traditional protected areas for global conservation efforts. Key findings: - 820 OECM sites across 9 countries cover 1.9 million km², contributing over 1% to the 30% target. - Over 50% are government-governed, with a notable 40.9% under shared governance. - Nearly 30% overlap with Key Biodiversity Areas, emphasizing their conservation importance. Examples of OECMs include: 1. Indigenous territories 2. Wise use wetlands 3. Forestry set-asides 4. Managed rangelands 5. Sacred and cultural sites 6. Fisheries closures 7. Military areas These diverse sites demonstrate how OECMs can recognize effective conservation beyond traditional protected areas, supporting biodiversity while respecting local values and practices. As we approach 2030, scaling up OECM recognition and implementation is crucial for meeting global biodiversity targets and ensuring equitable, effective conservation strategies. #Biodiversity #Conservation #OECMs #30x30 #SustainableDevelopment