Mature and old-growth forests contribute to large-scale conservation targets in the conterminous United States

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 5

Опубликована: Сен. 28, 2022

Mature and old-growth forests (MOG) of the conterminous United States collectively support exceptional levels biodiversity but have declined substantially from logging development. National-scale proposals to protect 30 50% all lands waters are useful in assessing MOG conservation targets given precarious status these forests. We present first coast spatially explicit assessment based on three structural development measures—canopy height, canopy cover, above-ground living biomass assess relative maturity. were displayed by major forest types ( n = 22), landownerships (federal, state, private, tribal), Gap Analysis Project (GAP) management overlaid NatureServe’s Red-listed Ecosystems species, biomass, drinking water source areas. total ∼67.2 M ha (35.9%) classes scattered across 8 regions with most western regions. All federal combined represented greatest (35%) concentrations MOG, ∼92% which is national ∼9% Bureau Land Management (BLM) ∼3% park (totals do not sum 100% due minor mapping errors datasets). supported highest concentration values. However, BLM did meet lower bound (30%) only ∼24% GAP1,2 (5.9 ha) protection status. The vast majority (76%, 20.8 that store 10.64 Gt CO 2 (e) vulnerable (GAP3). If logged over a decade, half their carbon stock emitted, there would be an estimated 0.5 ppm increase atmospheric 2030, equivalent annual emissions. recommend upper (100%) including elevating Inventoried Roadless Areas. This avoid substantial emissions while allowing ongoing sequestration act as natural climate solutions aid compliance Paris Climate Agreement presidential executive orders 30% 2030. On non-federal lands, fewer regulatory improvements incentives needed.

Язык: Английский

---

Assessing high quality agricultural lands through the ecosystem services lens: Insights from a rapidly urbanizing agricultural region in the western United States

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 349, С. 108435 - 108435

Опубликована: Март 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

---

Gaps and weaknesses in the global protected area network for safeguarding at-risk species

Science Advances, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 9(22)

Опубликована: Июнь 2, 2023

Protected areas are essential to biodiversity conservation. Creating new parks can protect larger populations and more species, yet strengthening existing parks, particularly those vulnerable harmful human activities, is a critical but underappreciated step for safeguarding at-risk species. Here, we model the area of habitat that terrestrial mammals, amphibians, birds have within park networks their vulnerability current downgrading, downsizing, or degazettement events future land-use change. We find roughly 70% species analyzed scant representation in occur affected by shifts formal legal protections increased pressures. Our results also show expanding across just 1% world’s land could preserve irreplaceable habitats 1191 extinction.

Язык: Английский

---

The 30 × 30 Protection Target: Attitudes of Residents from Seven Countries

Sustainability, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 17(8), С. 3444 - 3444

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2025

In December 2022, 196 countries adopted the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under Convention on Biological Diversity. The outlines four ambitious global goals and 23 targets for world to address loss of biodiversity more sustainable use natural resources. One those targets—Target 3—commits achieving protection at least 30% terrestrial inland water areas marine coastal by 2030 (the “30 × 30 target”). This is one largest conservation commitments that around have made. Prior signing Framework, a survey residents in seven (Australia, Barbados, Colombia, Germany, Kenya, Mongolia, USA) was conducted understand their level awareness gauge support target. surveyed late strong majority respondents each country rated target favorably were likely government making it. only multi-country pre-Global provides useful baseline track changes opinion over time.

Язык: Английский

---

Leveraging private lands to meet 2030 biodiversity targets in the United States

Conservation Science and Practice, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 5(4)

Опубликована: Март 9, 2023

Abstract Coincident with international movements to protect 30% of land and sea over the next decade (“30×30”), United States has committed more than doubling its current protected area by 2030. While publicly owned managed areas have been cornerstone area‐based conservation past century, such lands are costly establish limited capacity highest value for biodiversity climate change mitigation. Here we examine potential contributions private reaching 30×30 targets at both federal state scales in States. We find that compared lands, (conservation easements) often designated as high priority, hold significantly higher mean species richness, sequester vulnerable land‐based carbon per unit area. These related findings highlight necessity mechanisms engage landholders enduring partnerships.

Язык: Английский

---

Participatory monitoring drives biodiversity knowledge in global protected areas

Communications Earth & Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 4(1)

Опубликована: Июль 4, 2023

Abstract Protected areas are central in strategies to conserve biodiversity. Effective area-based conservation relies on biodiversity data, but the current knowledge base is insufficient and limited by geographic taxonomic biases. Public participation monitoring such as via community-based or citizen science increases data collection also contributes replicating these biases introducing new ones. Here we examine how participatory has changed landscape of open protected using shared Global Biodiversity Information Facility. We highlight a growing dominance within areas. find that patterns geographic, taxonomic, threatened species coverage differ from non-participatory monitoring, suggesting complementarity between two approaches. The relative contribution varies with characteristics both programs. synthesize results derive context-specific for extending impact monitoring.

Язык: Английский

---

Expanding China’s protected areas network to enhance resilience of climate connectivity

Science Bulletin, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 69(14), С. 2273 - 2280

Опубликована: Апрель 18, 2024

Язык: Английский

---

Achieving conservation targets by jointly addressing climate change and biodiversity loss

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2023

Abstract Unprecedented rates of climate change and biodiversity loss have galvanized efforts to expand protected areas (PAs) globally. However, limited spatial overlap between the most important landscapes for mitigating those with highest value may impede simultaneously address both issues through new protections. At same time, there is a need understand how lands high conservation align existing patterns land management, public private, which will inform strategies developing areas. To these challenges, we developed three composite indices identify across conterminous United States (CONUS) Alaska, drawing on suite key ecological environmental indicators. Two characterize addressing (based accessibility, stability, total carbon storage) species richness, integrity, connectivity), while third, combined index addresses challenges. We found that PAs in relatively low lands, regardless used (10%–13% CONUS, 27%–34% Alaska), suggesting effectiveness current protections but substantial opportunity expanding into high‐value, unprotected In landscapes, generally diverged from identified as protecting (22%–38% overlap, depending geography). Our reconciled trade‐offs (66%–72%). Of by each our indices, ≥70% are privately managed 16%–27% underscoring engage private landowners trusts substantially increase footprint States. findings highlight importance balancing objectives when identifying provide guidance where target goals. facilitate planning using an interactive web application.

Язык: Английский

---

Resilient riverine social–ecological systems: A new paradigm to meet global conservation targets

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(6)

Опубликована: Июль 29, 2024

Abstract The United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity set forth the 30 × target, an agenda for countries to protect at least 30% of their terrestrial, inland water, and coastal marine areas by 2030. With <6 years reach that goal, riverine conservation professionals are faced with difficult decision prioritizing which rivers or river segments should be conserved (protected and/or restored). While incorporating resilience into planning is essential enhancing, restoring, maintaining vital ecosystem services (ES) most threatened climate change other environmental human stresses, this paradigm odds traditional approaches either opportunistic reactionary, where only unique highly visible ecosystems have been prioritized. Barriers implementing resilience‐based include: (1) difficulties in conceptualizing quantifying resilience; (2) insufficient consideration social components systems; (3) inapplicability terrestrial‐only models aquatic (4) ad hoc approach conservation. To overcome these barriers, we propose a framework includes: assessing using indicator frameworks; considering as dynamically coupled social–ecological explicitly terrestrial–aquatic network connectivity decision‐making; strategic systems novel resilience–conservation matrix tool. This has potential transform practices around globe more effectively enhance development. article categorized under: Water Life > Conservation, Management, Awareness Science Environmental Change Human Governance

Язык: Английский

---

Spatial distribution of biodiversity citizen science in a natural area depends on area accessibility and differs from other recreational area use

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 3(4)

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2022

Abstract Opportunistic citizen science produces large amounts of primary biodiversity data but is underutilized in the conservation and management protected areas despite these areas’ status as hotspots. Application may be limited by challenge understanding sampling patterns associated with opportunistic at a scale relevant to local area management. An improved activity within could strengthen both analysis promotion guidance activity. We investigated local‐scale activity, using case study approach examine recreationally popular natural that serves regional hotspot. modelled relationship between 10 spatial covariates broadly related ease access interest, factors which have been shown drive scales. further compared distribution professional collection recreational visitor area. found largely complement rather than replicate openly available data. Citizen participation was primarily driven access, especially presence trails. However, use trail network differed from other types use, including weaker preference for well‐established trails stronger association developed areas. This used better account biases manage way supports guides future

Язык: Английский

---