30×30 biodiversity gains rely on national coordination

Science
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Abstract:

Abstract

Global commitments to protect 30% of land by 2030 present an opportunity to combat the biodiversity crisis, but reducing extinction risk will depend on where countries expand protection. Here, we explore a range of 30×30 conservation scenarios that vary what dimension of biodiversity is prioritized (taxonomic groups, species-at-risk, biodiversity facets) and how protection is coordinated (transnational, national, or regional approaches) to test which decisions influence our ability to capture biodiversity in spatial planning. Using Canada as a model nation, we evaluate how well each scenario captures biodiversity using scalable indicators while accounting for climate change, data bias, and uncertainty. We find that only 15% of all terrestrial vertebrates, plants, and butterflies (representing only 6.6% of species-at-risk) are adequately represented in existing protected land. However, a nationally coordinated approach to 30×30 could protect 65% of all species representing 40% of all species-at-risk. How protection is coordinated has the largest impact, with regional approaches protecting up to 38% fewer species and 65% fewer species-at-risk, while the choice of biodiversity incurs much smaller trade-offs. These results demonstrate the potential of 30×30 while highlighting the critical importance of biodiversity-informed national strategies.

Take Home Messages

  • The article reports on a study that explored how different 30×30 conservation scenarios, which aim to protect 30% of land by 2030, affect the protection of biodiversity in Canada.
  • The study used spatial prioritization methods to simulate scenarios that vary what dimension of biodiversity (taxonomic groups, species-at-risk, biodiversity facets) and how protection is coordinated (transnational, national, or regional approaches).
  • The study found that existing protected areas in Canada only protect 15% of all terrestrial vertebrates, plants, and butterflies, and 6.6% of species-at-risk. However, a nationally coordinated approach to 30×30 could protect 65% of all species and 40% of species-at-risk.
  • The study also found that how protection is coordinated matters far more than what biodiversity is prioritized, as regional approaches protect up to 38% fewer species and 65% fewer species-at-risk than the national approach. The choice of biodiversity dimension incurs much smaller trade-offs.
  • The study concluded that national strategies for 30×30 are essential for safeguarding biodiversity and contributing to global goals, while also incorporating climate change, overcoming data bias, and respecting Indigenous rights and title.

Link to full article:
30×30 biodiversity gains rely on national coordination | Nature Communications