To achieve global biodiversity targets, conservationists and governments must prioritize the establishment and effective management of large, interconnected protected areas with high ecological integrity, according to John G. Robinson from the Wildlife Conservation Society, US, and his colleagues. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), signed at the 2022 Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, recognizes the importance of protecting large areas of natural habitat to maintain the resilience and integrity of ecosystems. The framework emphasizes the need for protected and conserved areas to be in the right places, connected to one another, and well managed. One of the key targets of the GBF is to protect at least 30% of the global land and ocean by 2030, known as the 30×30 target.
To achieve the GBF targets, the authors propose prioritizing large, interconnected protected areas with high ecological integrity that are effectively managed and equitably governed. They stress the importance of conserving landscapes at scales large enough to encompass functioning ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain. This will often require interconnected groups of protected areas that are managed together. Effective governance involves recognizing the diversity of stakeholders and rights holders, and ensuring that the costs and benefits are shared equitably among them. The authors argue that protected and conservation areas that meet all four criteria — which they refer to as “Nature’s Strongholds” — will be particularly critical for biodiversity conservation. Examples of Nature’s Strongholds can be found in the high-biodiversity tropical forest regions of Central Africa and the Amazon.
By utilizing the four criteria outlined in the essay to identify Nature’s Strongholds around the world, governments and conservationists can align their efforts to better address threats to biodiversity. The authors suggest that “Nature’s Strongholds” – large, interconnected, ecologically intact areas that are well managed and equitably governed – can be identified in regions such as Amazonia and Central Africa. This approach offers an effective way to conserve biodiversity on a global scale. By focusing on protecting and managing these areas, conservation efforts can be more targeted and impactful in safeguarding the world’s biodiversity.
Overall, the establishment and effective management of large, interconnected protected areas with high ecological integrity are crucial for achieving global biodiversity targets. The authors emphasize the importance of protecting and conserving landscapes at scales large enough to maintain functioning ecosystems and the biodiversity they support. By ensuring that these areas are well managed and equitably governed, stakeholders can share the costs and benefits of conservation efforts. “Nature’s Strongholds” that meet all four criteria outlined by the authors are identified as particularly important for biodiversity conservation, with examples found in regions like Central Africa and the Amazon.
In conclusion, the authors argue that prioritizing the protection and management of Nature’s Strongholds can help coordinate global efforts to address biodiversity threats. By identifying and focusing on these key areas, governments and conservationists can work together to achieve the goals outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Through effective governance and management of interconnected protected areas, biodiversity conservation can be more successful and impactful on a worldwide scale. The approach of identifying and conserving Nature’s Strongholds offers a practical and strategic way to safeguard biodiversity and ensure the resilience and integrity of ecosystems for the future.