A new study suggests that strengthening the protection of already protected areas is just as important for biodiversity conservation as creating new protected areas. The study found that around 70% of the approximately 5,000 species examined have no apparent representation in protected areas, occur in areas that have been downgraded, downsized, or removed from protection, or are especially vulnerable to extinction due to future land-use change. Strengthening protected areas and expanding park networks across just 1% of the planet’s land area could protect the essential habitats of 1,191 animal species at risk of extinction. The study highlights the need to ensure that already protected areas remain a safe space for biodiversity.
As detailed in a recent study published in the journal ‘Science Advances’, protecting already existing protected areas is just as important as creating new ones for biodiversity conservation. The research showed that around 70 percent of the 5000 species examined have no representation in protected areas or are vulnerable to extinction due to future land-use changes.
The study suggests that by strengthening existing protected areas and expanding park networks across just 1 percent of the planet’s land area, the essential habitats of 1,191 animal species at risk of extinction can be protected. “Parks save species. But they can do so only if the parks themselves are protected against harmful activities,” said David Wilcove, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and public affairs at Princeton’s Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment.
The findings of this study come at a time when there is growing recognition of the need to conserve the planet’s species diversity by creating new protected areas. At the United Nations biodiversity conference COP15 in December 2022, for example, countries agreed on a target to set aside 30 percent of the planet’s lands and seas as protected areas.
However, this research highlights another important aspect of wildlife conservation – ensuring that already protected areas continue to remain a safe space for biodiversity. “Our study pinpoints where new parks can be created, but also where to restore and reinforce existing parks in order to boost wildlife conservation,” said Yiwen Zeng, lead author of the study who completed the research as an associate research scholar at Princeton’s Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment.
The protection of existing protected areas is critical for biodiversity conservation. The study shows that strengthening protection for areas already protected by law or by local communities is just as important for biodiversity conservation as creating new protected areas. Protecting the places that protect species is essential to ensure the survival of vulnerable animal species.
As the last point, this study highlights the importance of protecting already existing protected areas to ensure the survival of vulnerable animal species. The protection of existing protected areas is just as important as creating new ones for biodiversity conservation. By strengthening existing protected areas and expanding park networks, we can protect the essential habitats of animal species at risk of extinction. It is critical that we protect the places that protect species to ensure the survival of vulnerable animal species.
