A new study finds that marine conservation initiatives can have negative impacts on community livelihoods, including increased anxiety and social division. Researchers recommend that conservation efforts should follow social impact assessments and provide livelihood support for affected communities.
A new study suggests a return-on-investment approach to focus taxonomic research on species in need of conservation. Researchers used this method to identify 24 Australian lizard and snake species that require better classification, highlighting the critical importance of accurate taxonomy for effective conservation.
A new study led by Russ Van Horn finds that steep terrain and rugged spots are crucial for female Andean bears to choose suitable dens for their cubs. The research may aid conservation efforts by providing critical information on managing human activities near bear habitats.
A new study by WCS found that 53% of households in the area had eaten lemur meat over the past year, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to reduce hunting and consumption of these protected species. The study aims to assess the impact of ongoing conservation initiatives and promote alternative protein sources.
A new study found that zoo YouTube videos focus disproportionately on mammals, with only 3% of content dedicated to conservation. However, the study also notes an increase in conservation-focused videos in recent years, highlighting the potential for social media to support global conservation education.
A new study finds that a network of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in the Caribbean and Central and South America will remain robust under climate change. Despite predictions of species shifts, more than half of IBAs are projected to remain climatically suitable for 73% of conservation-concerned species.
A multi-disciplinary team has reconstructed ancient population and land use, showing that humans shaped much of the terrestrial biosphere by 12,000 years ago. The study found a close correlation between areas of high biodiversity and areas long occupied by Indigenous peoples.
A new study classifies different types of wildlife traffickers and sellers in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. The findings help conservation and law enforcement authorities prioritize efforts on professional criminals and identify patterns among repeat offenders.
Researchers call for climate projections to be taken into account in conservation planning to protect areas at risk of biodiversity loss and climate impacts. Climate change is expected to impact 58% of montane forests in the Peruvian Andes, highlighting the need for adaptive management frameworks.
A team of scientists compared different methodologies to count African forest elephants, including dung analysis and camera traps. The study found that a new DNA-based method was comparable in accuracy to traditional methods but less expensive on larger scales.
Recent wildlife documentaries have been found to create problems for public understanding of wider conservation by spreading significant misinformation through personification of animals. The researchers emphasize the importance of factually correct information in these documentaries.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has named 9 distinguished researchers as 2021 recipients of the Pew fellowship in marine conservation. The new fellows will undertake projects addressing ocean conservation and management needs globally, from improving shark conservation to studying coastal habitats.
A UMD study found that supporting Indonesian women in conservation sciences can help tackle global biodiversity challenges. The research, which documented the motivations and challenges faced by women in this field, highlights the need for culturally appropriate training and mentorship to enable their participation.
A review of 126 marine mammal species reveals that accidental capture, climate change, and pollution are driving declines. Conservation efforts have saved some species, but many more are at risk, including the vaquita porpoise and North Atlantic right whale.
A recent study analyzed over 17,000 public comments on orca conservation in Washington state, revealing the most common emotional sentiments were trust, anticipation, and fear. The findings provide valuable insights for conservation managers to understand why people support or reject management actions.
A new special issue of PARKS journal reveals massive impacts of COVID-19 on global conservation, including job losses and environmental rollbacks. However, studies show that Indigenous Peoples and local communities with governance power over their lands were able to continue to steward resources and protected areas.
A University of Queensland and Nature Conservancy study reveals that women's voices are critically lacking in conservation, with gender discrimination being systemic and consistent. The research found positive impacts when women were involved in conservation, but existing gender roles and dynamics limit their participation.
A study published in FACETS highlights how misinformation and polarization are eroding conservation efforts worldwide. Researchers found examples of good intentions leading to harm, such as the case of Huemul deer in Patagonia National Park, Chile, where removing domestic livestock led to a decline in deer population.
A study found that male authors from a few Western countries, such as the US, Canada, and UK, dominate the scientific literature in ecology and conservation biology. The research, published in Conservation Letters, calls for measures to address gender imbalance and geographic diversity.
A study models bird and mammal species distributions under climate scenarios, revealing potential conservation issues across national borders. The authors project that border barriers could obstruct the dispersal of nonflying species as their ranges shift, emphasizing the need to mitigate these impacts.
A review published in the Journal Birds suggests that studying birds in their natural habitats can improve zoo management and conservation efforts. By analyzing the ecological role of bird species, zoos can design enclosures that support reproduction and develop conservation actions.
A study by University of New South Wales found that kangaroo overgrazing is having a detrimental impact on soil health and vegetation biodiversity, even more so than rabbits. The research suggests that conservation reserves need to rethink their management strategies to address the issue.
A new study reveals that 6% of all global terrestrial protected areas are already made up of cropland, compromising biodiversity conservation goals. The persistence of native species in these areas is incompatible with conversion to cropland, highlighting the need for more effective conservation strategies.
A new study introduces a Resistance-Resilience-Transformation (RRT) classification to assess transformative actions in climate adaptation projects. The RRT classification shows a shift towards more transformative actions, such as species translocation, in recent years.
Researchers describe a critically endangered bat species, Myotis nimbaensis, with bright-orange fur, found in the Nimba Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot. The discovery highlights the importance of sub-Saharan sky islands to bat diversity and conservation efforts.
The growing wolf population in Germany threatens legally binding nature conservation goals due to increased attacks on livestock. The researchers propose simplifying regulatory measures, actively managing the wolf population, and providing financial support for farmers to implement conservation efforts.
A recent study identifies Canada's most critical areas for ecosystem services, including freshwater, carbon storage, and nature-based recreation. The research highlights the need to protect these areas from human activities that threaten their conservation.
A study suggests that 96% of US crop wild relatives require high conservation priority due to limited understanding of their geographic distribution and current conservation status. Conservation action is needed in taxonomic hotspots across the country to safeguard these genetic resources for breeding and food security.
Kyoto University researchers highlight the need for targeted conservation efforts due to 90% extinction risk for Japanese bat species. The study reveals poor alignment between conservation needs and research resource allocation, with many threats understudied.
Translocation of desert tortoises with high genomic variability leads to higher survival rates than those with lower genetic diversity. The study suggests that targeting individuals based on overall genetic diversity may improve conservation outcomes.
A new co-governance model aims to save species such as salmon and southern resident killer whales from extinction through a $381 million conservation plan. The study highlights the importance of urban biodiversity conservation and investment in strategies like habitat restoration and public land management.
Researchers found that small, community-based reserves in Thailand's Salween River Basin serve as critical refuges for fish diversity. These reserves contain on average 27% more fish species and 124% higher fish density compared to adjacent areas.
A University of Stirling study found a decrease in self-reported sea turtle egg consumption and poaching of adult sea turtles after a community-based campaign. However, the increase in anti-poaching law enforcement may have impacted results.
A new report outlines key considerations for using drones in conservation, including a precautionary principle, ethical rules, and minimizing wildlife disturbance. The guide provides practical case studies and drone best practices to ensure safe and responsible use of this technology.
The study suggests that tropical peatlands could reduce the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the likelihood of new diseases jumping from animals to humans. Conservation efforts in these areas could mitigate zoonotic disease transmission, protect human health, and strengthen arguments for their conservation and restoration.
A new high-resolution map of US land value reveals underestimates in existing cost estimates, highlighting the need for higher funding levels for environmental goals. The tool provides policymakers with realistic expectations for conservation funding, enabling more informed decision-making.
The San Diego Zoo Global biobanking project sequenced 131 new placental mammal genomes, bringing the worldwide total to over 250. This project catalogs and characterizes whole branches of Earth's biodiversity spanning 110 million years of mammal evolution.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Queensland found that nearly 80% of threatened species globally are not adequately protected, falling short of the 17% target for land and 10% target for oceans set by the Convention on Biological Diversity.
A new global review finds that protected areas need better funding, climate smart measures, and equitable management to be effective. The study identifies crucial steps to take, including reducing the funding shortfall for area-based conservation measures and recognizing indigenous community groups' role in nature conservation.
Conservation projects that prioritize land-dwelling species can have a significant impact on freshwater ecosystems, increasing benefits by up to 600%. The research found that targeting both terrestrial and aquatic species simultaneously can lead to substantial gains in freshwater conservation. This approach requires considering the con...
A new Amazon study suggests that by redesigning conservation projects to consider both freshwater and land species, big positive gains can be made for critical freshwater ecosystems. Conservation efforts could deliver up to 600% more protection for these ecosystems without negatively affecting land species.
A new study finds that integrating terrestrial and freshwater conservation planning doubles protection of tropical freshwater ecosystems. This approach can increase freshwater species protection by up to 600% with only a 1% reduction in terrestrial species protection.
A study suggests that conserving aquatic environments in the Amazon can be more efficient than protecting terrestrial species, with benefits reaching 84% of protection for aquatic species. The approach focuses on rivers and lakes, rather than land-based conservation units.
An automated assessment approach using machine learning algorithms identifies over 4,300 potentially threatened orchid species, highlighting conservation priority areas such as Madagascar, East Africa, and South-east Asia.
University of Queensland research reveals that conservation planning is often inadequate, neglecting critical ecosystem services that benefit humans, such as freshwater and pollination services. The study proposes a formal process for governments and policymakers to develop more effective plans.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland finds that sustainable nature tourism can effectively mediate conflicts between nature conservation and tourism. The approach was successfully implemented in Koli National Park, where it helped balance economic development with environmental protection.
A new study warns that climate change could drive Komodo dragons to extinction due to habitat loss and sea-level rise. The research suggests that conservation strategies are not enough to protect the species in the face of global warming.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba discover that old grasslands have higher plant diversity than new ones, and that grassland longevity can indicate high conservation priority. This finding suggests that focusing conservation efforts on long-standing grasslands will be most effective in preserving biodiversity.
A recent study published in Conservation Letters reveals that conservation efforts have prevented the global extinction of at least 28 bird and mammal species since 1993. The species include the Puerto Rican Amazon, Przewalski's Horse, and Iberian Lynx, among others.
A meta-analysis identified seven countries with high biodiversity risk, including the US, which has a large unprotected area with significant species diversity. Targeting 'cost-effective zones' could help balance conservation goals with economic priorities, potentially expanding protected areas globally.
A German-Israeli research team found that nature conservation initiatives rarely lead to behavioral changes, citing the need for a broader range of interventions. The study analyzed eight national strategy papers on pollinator conservation and identified a lack of focus on behavioral change interventions, with most measures relying on ...
African forest elephants' trail networks benefit humans and local communities. Biological anthropology plays a crucial role in conservation by considering human knowledge and needs alongside species protection.
Researchers reveal that private game farms and reserves offer unequal protection for free-ranging carnivore species in South Africa. The study found that carnivore richness was highest in formal protected areas, with occupancy rates also higher compared to communal lands.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that targeted efforts to increase water efficiency can save enough water annually to fill Lake Mead. The research found that some regions and industries have the greatest potential for water savings, with improved water productivity in corn, cotton, and alfalfa contrib...
A recent study found that only 80 primate studies investigated the effectiveness of conservation interventions, highlighting a severe lack of evidence for effective conservation. The authors propose several actions to improve the evidence base, including increasing resources for intervention-effectiveness testing and publication.
A newly developed genotyping chip can help establish and maintain genetic diversity in reef restoration efforts. The chip allows researchers to genetically identify corals and their symbiotic algae, enabling conservation biologists to track coral diversity and compare samples.
Researchers have assembled a comprehensive checklist of Panama's tree species, including their estimated geographic ranges, providing a quantitative basis for assessing extinction risk and guiding conservation efforts. The study found that 16.2% of Panama's tree species had ranges less than 20,000 km2, signaling endangered status.
A study by WCS and partners pinpointed the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea as crucial countries for safeguarding biodiversity and intact forests. The analysis combines datasets to highlight regions with high conservation value, guiding national development plans towards sustainabl...
A global conservation plan for parasites is proposed to recognize the value of biological diversity. Research suggests that parasites play critical ecological roles, regulating wildlife populations, and propose identifying and conserving half of world's parasites within the next decade.
A genetic study spanning seven countries has identified distinct population clusters of the American Crocodile, with regional differences found in Northern, Central, and Southern America. The findings highlight the importance of habitat conservation and management strategies tailored to each population's unique needs.