A recent study conducted by Imperial College London, On the Edge, and ZSL has revealed that focusing conservation efforts on just 0.7% of the world’s landmass could potentially protect one-third of the world’s threatened and unique tetrapod species. These efforts target areas with exceptional biodiversity housing species with high levels of evolutionary distinctiveness and global endangerment. Some of the endangered species highlighted in the study include the aye-aye lemur, the secretary bird, the purple frog, and the gharial crocodile.
Despite the potential for conservation gains in these areas, only 20% of the identified regions are currently under some form of protection. Most of these areas face consistent and increasing levels of human pressure, threatening the survival of these unique species. Sebastian Pipins, the lead author of the study, emphasized the urgency of protecting these regions and the significant benefits that can be achieved by safeguarding just a fraction of the Earth’s land surface.
The results of the research pinpoint specific regions, known as EDGE Zones, with exceedingly high levels of threatened evolutionary history. These zones are characterized by the concentration of Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species, which are deemed critical for conservation efforts. These EDGE Zones cover various regions worldwide, including Southeast Asia, the Amazon basin, Madagascar, Mexico, and Indonesia.
The study underscored the importance of considering evolutionary history in conservation efforts to prevent the loss of unique branches of the tree of life. The distribution of almost 3,000 EDGE species was mapped to identify 25 priority EDGE Zones where conservation interventions could have the most significant impact. It was also highlighted that the protection of these unique species lies primarily within the responsibility of individual countries, with 75.6% of EDGE species confined to a single nation.
Despite the critical importance of conserving these EDGE Zones, the researchers found that many of these areas are under high levels of human disturbance, threatening the habitat and survival of these distinct species. Furthermore, the human populations living within these zones are often facing deprivation in education, health, and living standards. The study emphasized the need for global collaboration and support to address these challenges and allocate resources for sustainable development that benefits both humans and nature.
As countries aim to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity’s target, the researchers advocate for prioritizing the unprotected portions of EDGE Zones. They urge world leaders to scale up their commitments and resources to support conservation efforts and restore the natural world that is essential for all life. By focusing on these EDGE Zones, significant gains in biodiversity conservation can be achieved, offering potential for extending the approach to protect other important groups of wildlife, such as plants and fish.
