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Lessmann J, Geldmann J, Fajardo J, Marquet PA. The role of funding in the performance of Latin America's protected areas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2307521121. [PMID: 39186646 PMCID: PMC11388404 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307521121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Conservationists have long argued that inadequate funding for managing protected areas (PAs) jeopardizes their ability to achieve conservation goals. However, this claim has rarely been substantiated by quantitative evaluations. To address this, we examined the impact of funding on PA effectiveness both at the scale of 17 national PA systems across Latin America and within a PA system (Ecuador), for which we had precise historical financial data. Most PAs reduced deforestation between 2000 and 2010, demonstrating their crucial role in forest conservation. However, large deficits in funding considerably reduced the effectiveness of PAs in Ecuador (on average, a unit decrease in deficit leads to a 3.07% increase in effectiveness in avoiding deforestation). While differences in effectiveness between individual PAs in Ecuador were associated with funding deficits, national-level socioeconomic metrics (e.g., the Human Development Index) were the major factor when comparing PA system-level effectiveness among countries. This result suggests that while funding plays a major role in the performance of individual PAs, the quality of the socioeconomic context at the country level is critical for the overall performance of the PA systems. We, therefore, emphasize that maximizing the effectiveness of PAs requires a multilevel approach that includes better and more strategic resource allocation for individual PAs, combined with actions for strengthening the governance and institutions that regulate PA systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janeth Lessmann
- Área de Biología Integrativa, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago CP 8331150, Chile
- Centro de Modelamiento Matemático, Universidad de Chile-International Research Laboratory 2807 CNRS, Santiago CP 8370451, Chile
- The United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge CB3 0DL, United Kingdom
| | - Jonas Geldmann
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Javier Fajardo
- Área de Biología Integrativa, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago CP 8331150, Chile
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1DB, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo A Marquet
- Área de Biología Integrativa, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago CP 8331150, Chile
- Centro de Modelamiento Matemático, Universidad de Chile-International Research Laboratory 2807 CNRS, Santiago CP 8370451, Chile
- The Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- Centro de Cambio Global Universidad Católica (UC), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago CP 7810000, Chile
- Instituto de Sistemas Complejos de Valparaíso, Valparaíso CP 2340000, Chile
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2
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Zhao J, Yu L, Newbold T, Chen X. Trends in habitat quality and habitat degradation in terrestrial protected areas. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14348. [PMID: 39166836 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Protected areas are typically considered a cornerstone of conservation programs and play a fundamental role in protecting natural areas and biodiversity. Human-driven land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes lead to habitat loss and biodiversity loss inside protected areas, impairing their effectiveness. However, the global dynamics of habitat quality and habitat degradation in protected areas remain unclear. We used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model based on global annual remotely sensed data to examine the spatial and temporal trends in habitat quality and degradation in global terrestrial protected areas. Habitat quality represented the ability of habitats to provide suitable conditions for the persistence of individuals and populations, and habitat degradation represented the impacts on habitats from human-driven LULC changes in the surrounding landscape. Based on a linear mixed-effects modeling method, we also explored the relationship between habitat degradation trends and protected area characteristics, biophysical factors, and socioeconomic factors. Habitat quality declined by 0.005 (0.6%) and habitat degradation increased by 0.002 (11%) from 1992 to 2020 globally, and similar trends occurred even in remote or restrictively managed protected areas. Habitat degradation was attributed primarily to nonirrigated cropland (62%) and urbanization (27%) in 2020. Increases in elevation, gross domestic production per capita, and human population density and decreases in agricultural suitability were associated with accelerated habitat degradation. Our results suggest that human-induced LULC changes have expanded from already-exploited areas into relatively undisturbed areas, and that in wealthy countries in particular, degradation is related to rapid urbanization and increasing demand for agricultural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiao Zhao
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Le Yu
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Ecological Field Station for East Asian Migratory Birds, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua University (Department of Earth System Science)- Xi'an Institute of Surveying and Mapping Joint Research Center for Next-Generation Smart Mapping, Beijing, China
| | - Tim Newbold
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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3
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den Braber B, Oldekop JA, Devenish K, Godar J, Nolte C, Schmoeller M, Evans KL. Socio-economic and environmental trade-offs in Amazonian protected areas and Indigenous territories revealed by assessing competing land uses. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1482-1492. [PMID: 39009851 PMCID: PMC11310078 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02458-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Protected area (PA) assessments rarely evaluate socio-economic and environmental impacts relative to competing land uses, limiting understanding of socio-environmental trade-offs from efforts to protect 30% of the globe by 2030. Here we assess deforestation and poverty outcomes (fiscal income, income inequality, sanitation and literacy) between 2000 and 2010 of strict PAs (SPAs), sustainable-use PAs (SUPAs) and Indigenous territories (ITs) compared with different land uses (agriculture and mining concessions) across ~5,500 census tracts in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. ITs reduced deforestation relative to all alternative land uses (48-83%) but had smaller socio-economic benefits compared with other protection types and land uses (18-36% depending on outcome), indicating that Indigenous communities experience socio-economic trade-offs. By contrast, SUPAs, and potentially SPAs, did not reduce deforestation relative to small-scale agriculture (landholdings <10 ha) but did so relative to larger agricultural landholdings (70-82%). Critically, these reductions in deforestation frequently occurred without negative socio-economic outcomes. By contrast, ITs and SUPAs protected against deforestation from mining, but at the cost of smaller improvements in income and inequality. Our results suggest that although PAs in the Brazilian Legal Amazon substantially reduced deforestation without compromising local socio-economic development, efforts to secure Indigenous rights need additional interventions to ensure these communities are not further disadvantaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowy den Braber
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Johan A Oldekop
- Global Development Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Katie Devenish
- Global Development Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Javier Godar
- Stockholm Environmental Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christoph Nolte
- Department of Earth & Environment, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marina Schmoeller
- Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- International Institute for Sustainability Australia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Karl L Evans
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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4
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Chen X, Tian T, Pan H, Jin Y, Zhang X, Yang B, Zhang L. Establishing a protected area network in Xinlong with other effective area-based conservation measures. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14297. [PMID: 38752477 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) are pivotal to biodiversity conservation, yet their efficacy is compromised by insufficient funding and management. So-called other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) present a paradigm shift and address PA limitations. Such measures can expand conservation areas, enhance connectivity, and improve the existing system. To assess the conservation status of biodiversity in Tibetan cultural areas in China, we investigated the spatial distribution of wildlife vulnerable to human disturbance (large- and medium-sized mammals and terrestrial birds) in Xinlong, a traditional Tibetan cultural area. In particular, we compared a PA (Xionglongxi Nature Reserve) and OECMs targeting species conservation. We also investigated the relationship of wildlife with human temporal and spatial activities. The OECMs complemented areas not covered by PA, especially in rich understory biodiversity regions. More species in OECMs tolerated human presence than species in the PA. Existing biodiversity reserves failed to cover areas of high conservation value in Tibet and offered limited protection capacity. Expanding PAs and identifying OECMs improved Xinlong's system by covering most biodiversity hotspots. Building on the tradition of wildlife conservation in Tibet, harnessing OECMs may be an effective means of augmenting biodiversity conservation capacity. We recommend further evaluation of OECMs effectiveness and coverage in Tibetan area as a way to enhance the current PA system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Tengteng Tian
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Han Pan
- Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) Foundation, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyi Jin
- Chengdu Aisiyi Ecology Conservation Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaodian Zhang
- Chengdu Aisiyi Ecology Conservation Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) Foundation, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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5
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Mandai SS, Branco EA, Moretto EM, Barros JD, Alves GP, Utsunomiya R, Arcoverde GFB, Assahira C, Arantes CC, Lobo GDS, Calvi MF, Doria CRDC, Johansen IC, Carreiro GA, Bonavigo PH, Ferronato ML, Reis VCES, Moran EF. Two decades of clear-cutting threats in the Brazilian Amazonian protected areas around the Jirau, Santo Antônio, and Belo Monte large dams. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 359:120864. [PMID: 38714029 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Deforestation rates in the Amazon have markedly increased in the last few years, affecting non-protected and protected areas (PAs). Brazil is a hotspot of Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing, and Degazettement (PADDD) events, with most events associated with infrastructure projects. Despite the threats dams impose on PAs, there is a knowledge gap in assessing deforestation in PAs around large dams in the Amazon. This study investigates how deforestation affects Biodiversity Protection Areas (BioPAs) and Indigenous Lands around the Jirau and Santo Antônio (JSA) dams (Madeira River, Rondônia) and Belo Monte dam (Xingu River, Pará) in the Brazilian Amazon. We compared clear-cutting between PAs and control areas and the annual rates of forest change between pre-dam and post-dam periods. We discussed deforestation-related factors (e.g., PADDD events and the presence of management plans or councils). Our results show an increase in deforestation after the operation of the dams when environmental control from licensing agencies decreases and other political and economic factors are in practice. Indigenous Lands experienced a significant increase in deforestation around the Belo Monte dam, which is associated with the demarcation process and land conflicts. Surrounding the JSA dams, sustainable use BioPAs showed high deforestation rates, and 27 PADDD events were reported, four directly related to dams. In addition to dams, deforestation was associated with the crisis of Brazilian democracy and the weakening of environmental policies. In conclusion, the weak environmental control from environmental licensing agencies during dam operation and PADDD events have contributed to increased deforestation rates and additional stresses in the Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Sayuri Mandai
- Institute of Energy and Environment, University of Sao Paulo - Environmental Science Graduate Program (PROCAM), 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto avenue, Butanta, Zip Code 05508-010, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Evandro Albiach Branco
- Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; National Institute for Space Research, 1758 Astronautas avenue, Jardim da Granja, Zip Code 12227-010, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Evandro Mateus Moretto
- Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo - Sustentabilidade, 1000 Arlindo Bettio street, Zip Code 03828-000, São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Jocilene Dantas Barros
- Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; National Institute for Space Research, 1758 Astronautas avenue, Jardim da Granja, Zip Code 12227-010, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Prado Alves
- Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo - Sustentabilidade, 1000 Arlindo Bettio street, Zip Code 03828-000, São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Renata Utsunomiya
- Institute of Energy and Environment, University of Sao Paulo - Environmental Science Graduate Program (PROCAM), 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto avenue, Butanta, Zip Code 05508-010, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Felipe Balué Arcoverde
- Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; National Institute for Space Research, 1758 Astronautas avenue, Jardim da Granja, Zip Code 12227-010, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Cyro Assahira
- Institute of Energy and Environment, University of Sao Paulo - Environmental Science Graduate Program (PROCAM), 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto avenue, Butanta, Zip Code 05508-010, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Caroline C Arantes
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Guilherme de Sousa Lobo
- Center for Environmental Studies and Research, University of Campinas, 155 Flamboyants street, Cidade Universitaria, Zip Code 13083-867, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Miquéias Freitas Calvi
- Faculty of Forestry, Federal University of Pará, 2515 José Porfírio street, São Sebastião, Anex I, Zip Code 68.372-040, Altamira, Para, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Rodrigues da Costa Doria
- Laboratory of Ichthyology and Fisheries, Department of Biology, Federal University of Rondônia, BR-364, Km 9.5 - Rio Branco/Acre Direction, Zip Code 76801-059, Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil.
| | - Igor Cavallini Johansen
- Center for Environmental Studies and Research, University of Campinas, 155 Flamboyants street, Cidade Universitaria, Zip Code 13083-867, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela Alves Carreiro
- Research Group on Environmental Planning and Management (PLANGEA), School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; National Institute for Space Research, 1758 Astronautas avenue, Jardim da Granja, Zip Code 12227-010, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Henrique Bonavigo
- Ação Ecológica Guaporé - Ecoporé, 3335 Rafael Vaz e Silva street, Liberdade, Zip Code 76803-847, Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil; Federal University of Rondônia, BR-364, Km 9.5, Zip Code 76801-059, Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Lucian Ferronato
- Ação Ecológica Guaporé - Ecoporé, 3335 Rafael Vaz e Silva street, Liberdade, Zip Code 76803-847, Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa Cristine E Souza Reis
- Center for Environmental Studies and Research, University of Campinas, 155 Flamboyants street, Cidade Universitaria, Zip Code 13083-867, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Australian Rivers Institute - Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan Campus, QLD 4111, Australia.
| | - Emílio Federico Moran
- Center for Environmental Studies and Research, University of Campinas, 155 Flamboyants street, Cidade Universitaria, Zip Code 13083-867, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Michigan State University, 405 S. Harrison street, Zip Code 48823, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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6
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Robinson JG, LaBruna D, O’Brien T, Clyne PJ, Dudley N, Andelman SJ, Bennett EL, Chicchon A, Durigan C, Grantham H, Kinnaird M, Lieberman S, Maisels F, Moreira A, Rao M, Stokes E, Walston J, Watson JEM. Scaling up area-based conservation to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework's 30x30 target: The role of Nature's Strongholds. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002613. [PMID: 38771730 PMCID: PMC11108224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), signed in 2022 by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, recognized the importance of area-based conservation, and its goals and targets specify the characteristics of protected and conserved areas (PCAs) that disproportionately contribute to biodiversity conservation. To achieve the GBF's target of conserving a global area of 30% by 2030, this Essay argues for recognizing these characteristics and scaling them up through the conservation of areas that are: extensive (typically larger than 5,000 km2); have interconnected PCAs (either physically or as part of a jurisdictional network, and frequently embedded in larger conservation landscapes); have high ecological integrity; and are effectively managed and equitably governed. These areas are presented as "Nature's Strongholds," illustrated by examples from the Congo and Amazon basins. Conserving Nature's Strongholds offers an approach to scale up initiatives to address global threats to biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G. Robinson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Danielle LaBruna
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Peter J. Clyne
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Sandy J. Andelman
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Avecita Chicchon
- Andes-Amazon Initiative, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Carlos Durigan
- Wildlife Conservation Society Brasil, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Hedley Grantham
- Center for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Sue Lieberman
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Fiona Maisels
- Wildlife Conservation Society Congo, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Moreira
- Global Environmental Facility, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Madhu Rao
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- World Commission on Protected Areas, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Emma Stokes
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Joe Walston
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - James EM Watson
- School of The Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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7
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Langhammer PF, Bull JW, Bicknell JE, Oakley JL, Brown MH, Bruford MW, Butchart SHM, Carr JA, Church D, Cooney R, Cutajar S, Foden W, Foster MN, Gascon C, Geldmann J, Genovesi P, Hoffmann M, Howard-McCombe J, Lewis T, Macfarlane NBW, Melvin ZE, Merizalde RS, Morehouse MG, Pagad S, Polidoro B, Sechrest W, Segelbacher G, Smith KG, Steadman J, Strongin K, Williams J, Woodley S, Brooks TM. The positive impact of conservation action. Science 2024; 384:453-458. [PMID: 38662833 DOI: 10.1126/science.adj6598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Governments recently adopted new global targets to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. It is therefore crucial to understand the outcomes of conservation actions. We conducted a global meta-analysis of 186 studies (including 665 trials) that measured biodiversity over time and compared outcomes under conservation action with a suitable counterfactual of no action. We find that in two-thirds of cases, conservation either improved the state of biodiversity or at least slowed declines. Specifically, we find that interventions targeted at species and ecosystems, such as invasive species control, habitat loss reduction and restoration, protected areas, and sustainable management, are highly effective and have large effect sizes. This provides the strongest evidence to date that conservation actions are successful but require transformational scaling up to meet global targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny F Langhammer
- Re:wild, PO Box 129, Austin, TX 78767, USA
- Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, PO Box 874501, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Joseph W Bull
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Rd, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NR, UK
- Wild Business Ltd, London, UK
| | - Jake E Bicknell
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NR, UK
| | | | | | - Michael W Bruford
- School of Biosciences and Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
- IUCN SSC Conservation Genetics Specialist Group, 28 rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
| | - Stuart H M Butchart
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Jamie A Carr
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York YO10 15DD, UK
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
- IUCN SSC Climate Change Specialist Group, 28 rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
| | - Don Church
- Re:wild, PO Box 129, Austin, TX 78767, USA
| | - Rosie Cooney
- CEESP/SSC IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group, 28 rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, ACT 2601, Australia
| | | | - Wendy Foden
- IUCN SSC Climate Change Specialist Group, 28 rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
- South African National Parks, Cape Research Centre, Tokai, Cape Town, 7966, South Africa
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
- Global Change Biology Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | - Claude Gascon
- The Global Environment Facility, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA
| | - Jonas Geldmann
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen E, Denmark
| | - Piero Genovesi
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
- IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, 00144 Rome, Italy
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Michael Hoffmann
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, 28 rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
- Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Jo Howard-McCombe
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
- RZSS WildGenes, Conservation Department, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, UK
| | - Tiffany Lewis
- Arizona State University, 427 E. Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | | | - Zoe E Melvin
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
- Bangor University, School of Natural Sciences, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales LL57 2UW, UK
| | | | - Meredith G Morehouse
- LLaves: Keys to Bilingual Conservation, LLC, 346 Mayberry Hill Road, Casco, Maine 04015, USA
| | - Shyama Pagad
- University of Auckland, Auckland 1072, New Zealand
| | - Beth Polidoro
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, 28 rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
- Arizona State University, 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ 85382, USA
| | | | - Gernot Segelbacher
- IUCN SSC Conservation Genetics Specialist Group, 28 rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
- University Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kevin G Smith
- IUCN, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Janna Steadman
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NR, UK
| | - Kyle Strongin
- Arizona State University, 800 S. Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Jake Williams
- Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot SL5 7PY, UK
| | - Stephen Woodley
- IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, 64 Juniper Road, Chelsea, Quebec J9B 1T3, Canada
| | - Thomas M Brooks
- IUCN, 28 rue Mauverney, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
- World Agroforestry Center, University of The Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
- Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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8
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Cerullo G, Worthington T, Brancalion P, Brandão J, d'Albertas F, Eyres A, Swinfield T, Edwards D, Balmford A. Conflicts and opportunities for commercial tree plantation expansion and biodiversity restoration across Brazil. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17208. [PMID: 38441414 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Substantial global restoration commitments are occurring alongside a rapid expansion in land-hungry tropical commodities, including to supply increasing demand for wood products. Future commercial tree plantations may deliver high timber yields, shrinking the footprint of production forestry, but there is an as-yet unquantified risk that plantations may expand into priority restoration areas, with marked environmental costs. Focusing on Brazil-a country of exceptional restoration importance and one of the largest tropical timber producers-we use random forest models and information on the economic, social, and spatial drivers of historic commercial tree plantation expansion to estimate and map the probability of future monoculture tree plantation expansion between 2020 and 2030. We then evaluate potential plantation-restoration conflicts and opportunities at national and biome-scales and under different future production and restoration pathways. Our simulations show that of 2.8 Mha of future plantation expansion (equivalent to plantation expansion 2010-2020), ~78,000 ha (3%) is forecast to occur in the top 1% of restoration priority areas for terrestrial vertebrates, with ~547,500 ha (20%) and ~1,300,000 ha (46%) in the top 10% and 30% of priority areas, respectively. Just ~459,000 ha (16%) of expansion is forecast within low-restoration areas (bottom 30% restoration priorities), and the first 1 Mha of plantation expansion is likely to have disproportionate impacts, with potential restoration-plantation overlap starkest in the Atlantic Forest but prominent in the Pampas and Cerrado as well. Our findings suggest that robust, coherent land-use policies must be deployed to ensure that significant trade-offs between restoration and production objectives are navigated, and that commodity expansion does not undermine the most tractable conservation gains under emerging global restoration agendas. They also highlight the potentially significant role an engaged forestry sector could play in improving biodiversity outcomes in restoration projects in Brazil, and presumably elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pedro Brancalion
- Department of Forest Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joyce Brandão
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francisco d'Albertas
- International Institute for Sustainability, Estrada Dona Castorina, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alison Eyres
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - David Edwards
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Balmford
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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9
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Nunes FSM, Soares-Filho BS, Oliveira AR, Veloso LVS, Schmitt J, Van der Hoff R, Assis DC, Costa RP, Börner J, Ribeiro SMC, Rajão RGL, de Oliveira U, Costa MA. Lessons from the historical dynamics of environmental law enforcement in the Brazilian Amazon. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1828. [PMID: 38246941 PMCID: PMC10800348 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52180-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we analyze critical changes in environmental law enforcement in the Brazilian Amazon between 2000 and 2020. Based on a dataset of law enforcement indicators, we discuss how these changes explain recent Amazon deforestation dynamics. Our analysis also covers changes in the legal prosecution process and documents a militarization of enforcement between 2018 and 2022. From 2004 to 2018, 43.6 thousand land-use embargoes and 84.3 thousand fines were issued, targeting 3.3 million ha of land, and totaling USD 9.3 billion in penalties. Nevertheless, enforcement relaxed and became spatially more limited, signaling an increasing lack of commitment by the State to enforcing the law. The number of embargoes and asset confiscations dropped by 59% and 55% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. These changes were accompanied by a marked increase in enforcement expenditure, suggesting a massive efficiency loss. More importantly, the creation of so-called conciliation hearings and the centralization of legal processes in 2019 reduced the number of actual judgments and fines collected by 85% and decreased the ratio between lawsuits resulting in paid fines over filed ones from 17 to 5%. As Brazil gears up to crack-down on illegal deforestation once again, our assessment suggests urgent entry points for policy action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe S M Nunes
- Center for Remote Sensing (CSR), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 662731270-901, Brazil.
| | - Britaldo S Soares-Filho
- Center for Remote Sensing (CSR), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 662731270-901, Brazil
| | - Amanda R Oliveira
- Center for Remote Sensing (CSR), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 662731270-901, Brazil
| | - Laura V S Veloso
- Laboratory of Environmental Services Management (LAGESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jair Schmitt
- Brazil's Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Richard Van der Hoff
- Laboratory of Environmental Services Management (LAGESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Debora C Assis
- Center for Remote Sensing (CSR), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 662731270-901, Brazil
- Laboratory of Environmental Services Management (LAGESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rayane P Costa
- Laboratory of Environmental Services Management (LAGESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jan Börner
- Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sonia M C Ribeiro
- Center for Remote Sensing (CSR), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 662731270-901, Brazil
| | - Raoni G L Rajão
- Center for Remote Sensing (CSR), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 662731270-901, Brazil
- Laboratory of Environmental Services Management (LAGESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ubirajara de Oliveira
- Center for Remote Sensing (CSR), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 662731270-901, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Azevedo Costa
- Center for Remote Sensing (CSR), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 662731270-901, Brazil
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10
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Sze JS, Childs DZ, Carrasco LR, Fernández-Llamazares Á, Garnett ST, Edwards DP. Indigenous Peoples' Lands are critical for safeguarding vertebrate diversity across the tropics. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e16981. [PMID: 37888836 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Indigenous Peoples are long-term custodians of their lands, but only recently are their contributions to conservation starting to be recognized in biodiversity policy and practice. Tropical forest loss and degradation are lower in Indigenous lands than unprotected areas, yet the role of Indigenous Peoples' Lands (IPL) in biodiversity conservation has not been properly assessed from regional to global scales. Using species distribution ranges of 11,872 tropical forest-dependent vertebrates to create area of habitat maps, we identified the overlap of these species ranges with IPL and then compared values inside and outside of IPL for species richness, extinction vulnerability, and range-size rarity. Of assessed vertebrates, at least 76.8% had range overlaps with IPL, on average overlapping ~25% of their ranges; at least 120 species were found only within IPL. Species richness within IPL was highest in South America, while IPL in Southeast Asia had highest extinction vulnerability, and IPL in Dominica and New Caledonia were important for range-size rarity. Most countries in the Americas had higher species richness within IPL than outside, whereas most countries in Asia had lower extinction vulnerability scores inside IPL and more countries in Africa and Asia had slightly higher range-size rarity in IPL. Our findings suggest that IPL provide critical support for tropical forest-dependent vertebrates, highlighting the need for greater inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in conservation target-setting and program implementation, and stronger upholding of Indigenous Peoples' rights in conservation policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyne S Sze
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Dylan Z Childs
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - L Roman Carrasco
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology (BABVE-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stephen T Garnett
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - David P Edwards
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Plant Sciences and Conservation Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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11
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Caballero CB, Biggs TW, Vergopolan N, West TAP, Ruhoff A. Transformation of Brazil's biomes: The dynamics and fate of agriculture and pasture expansion into native vegetation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:166323. [PMID: 37595919 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Land use and cover change (LUCC) in Brazil encompass a complex interplay of diverse factors across different biomes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for informed decision-making and sustainable land management. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed LUCC patterns and drivers using 30 m resolution MapBiomas Collection 6.0 data (1985-2020). By mapping deforestation of primary and secondary natural vegetation, natural vegetation regeneration, and transitions between pasture, soybean, agriculture, and irrigation, we shed light on the intricate nature of LUCC in Brazil. Our findings highlight significant and increasing trends of deforestation in primary vegetation in the country. Simultaneously, the Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Pampa, and other regions of the Cerrado have experienced intensification processes. Notably, the pasture area in Brazil reached its peak in 2006 and has since witnessed a gradual replacement by soybean and other crops. While pasture-driven deforestation persists in most biomes, the net pasture area has only increased in the Amazon and Pantanal, decreasing in other biomes due to the conversion of pasturelands to intensive cropping in other regions. Our analysis further reveals that primary and secondary vegetation deforestation accounts for a substantial portion of overall forest loss, with 72 % and 17 %, respectively. Of the cleared areas, 48 % were in pasture, 9 % in soybean cultivation, and 16 % in other agricultural uses in 2020. Additionally, we observed a lower rate of deforestation in the Atlantic Forest, a biome that has been significantly influenced by anthropogenic activities since 1986. This holistic quantification of LUCC dynamics provides a solid foundation for understanding the impacts of these changes on local to continental-scale land-atmosphere interactions. By unraveling the complex nature of LUCC in Brazil, this study aims to contribute to the development of effective strategies for sustainable land management and decision-making processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassia Brocca Caballero
- Institute of Hydraulic Research, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 91509900, Brazil; Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
| | - Trent Wade Biggs
- Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Noemi Vergopolan
- Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences Program, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA; NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Thales A P West
- Environmental Geography Group, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije University Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1105 1081, the Netherlands; Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB21TN, United Kingdom
| | - Anderson Ruhoff
- Institute of Hydraulic Research, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 91509900, Brazil
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12
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Ota M, Ota T, Shimizu K, Onda N, Ma V, Sokh H, Mizoue N. Forest conservation effectiveness of community forests may decline in the future: Evidence from Cambodia. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad320. [PMID: 37908560 PMCID: PMC10614049 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Community forests (CFs) have been widely established in tropical countries as a tool to achieve forest conservation. Many studies have shown that CFs can contribute to the reduction of deforestation, yet studies that evaluate the contribution of CFs to reducing forest degradation and facilitating forest recovery remain scarce. We investigated the ability of CFs to prevent deforestation and forest degradation and to facilitate forest recovery by using a country-scale longitudinal tree canopy cover and forest cover data set in Cambodia. We found that CFs can prevent both forest degradation and deforestation, but we did not observe a forest recovery effect. We also found that recently established CFs are not effective for forest conservation compared with older CFs. We conclude that, to date, CFs are an effective forest conservation tool; however, this does not necessarily mean that new CFs will be as effective as established ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Ota
- Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Ota
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Katsuto Shimizu
- Department of Forest Management, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan
| | - Nariaki Onda
- Tohoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0123, Japan
| | - Vuthy Ma
- Forest-Wildlife Research and Development Institute, Forestry Administration, Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, 120806, Cambodia
| | - Heng Sokh
- Forest-Wildlife Research and Development Institute, Forestry Administration, Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, 120806, Cambodia
| | - Nobuya Mizoue
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
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13
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Geng M, Li X, Mu H, Yu G, Chai L, Yang Z, Liu H, Huang J, Liu H, Ju Z. Human footprints in the Global South accelerate biomass carbon loss in ecologically sensitive regions. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:5881-5895. [PMID: 37565368 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Human activities have placed significant pressure on the terrestrial biosphere, leading to ecosystem degradation and carbon losses. However, the full impact of these activities on terrestrial biomass carbon remains unexplored. In this study, we examined changes in global human footprint (HFP) and human-induced aboveground biomass carbon (AGBC) losses from 2000 to 2018. Our findings show an increasing trend in HFP globally, resulting in the conversion of wilderness areas to highly modified regions. These changes have altered global biomes' habitats, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. We also found accelerated AGBC loss driven by HFP expansion, with a total loss of 19.99 ± 0.196 PgC from 2000 to 2018, especially in tropical regions. Additionally, AGBC is more vulnerable in the Global South than in the Global North. Human activities threaten natural habitats, resulting in increasing AGBC loss even in strictly protected areas. Therefore, scientifically guided planning of future human activities is crucial to protect half of Earth through mitigation and adaptation under future risks of climate change and global urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqing Geng
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuecao Li
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing for Agri-Hazards, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Haowei Mu
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guojiang Yu
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Chai
- International College, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongwen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haimeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxi Huang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing for Agri-Hazards, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Han Liu
- Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation, Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengshan Ju
- Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation, Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China
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14
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Brodie JF, Mohd-Azlan J, Chen C, Wearn OR, Deith MCM, Ball JGC, Slade EM, Burslem DFRP, Teoh SW, Williams PJ, Nguyen A, Moore JH, Goetz SJ, Burns P, Jantz P, Hakkenberg CR, Kaszta ZM, Cushman S, Coomes D, Helmy OE, Reynolds G, Rodríguez JP, Jetz W, Luskin MS. Landscape-scale benefits of protected areas for tropical biodiversity. Nature 2023; 620:807-812. [PMID: 37612395 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06410-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The United Nations recently agreed to major expansions of global protected areas (PAs) to slow biodiversity declines1. However, although reserves often reduce habitat loss, their efficacy at preserving animal diversity and their influence on biodiversity in surrounding unprotected areas remain unclear2-5. Unregulated hunting can empty PAs of large animals6, illegal tree felling can degrade habitat quality7, and parks can simply displace disturbances such as logging and hunting to unprotected areas of the landscape8 (a phenomenon called leakage). Alternatively, well-functioning PAs could enhance animal diversity within reserves as well as in nearby unprotected sites9 (an effect called spillover). Here we test whether PAs across mega-diverse Southeast Asia contribute to vertebrate conservation inside and outside their boundaries. Reserves increased all facets of bird diversity. Large reserves were also associated with substantially enhanced mammal diversity in the adjacent unprotected landscape. Rather than PAs generating leakage that deteriorated ecological conditions elsewhere, our results are consistent with PAs inducing spillover that benefits biodiversity in surrounding areas. These findings support the United Nations goal of achieving 30% PA coverage by 2030 by demonstrating that PAs are associated with higher vertebrate diversity both inside their boundaries and in the broader landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jedediah F Brodie
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia.
| | - Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Oliver R Wearn
- Fauna and Flora International-Vietnam Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mairin C M Deith
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James G C Ball
- Department of Plant Sciences and Conservation Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eleanor M Slade
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Shu Woan Teoh
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Peter J Williams
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - An Nguyen
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan H Moore
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Scott J Goetz
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Patrick Burns
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Patrick Jantz
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Christopher R Hakkenberg
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Zaneta M Kaszta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sam Cushman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - David Coomes
- Department of Plant Sciences and Conservation Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Olga E Helmy
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Glen Reynolds
- The South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP), Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Jon Paul Rodríguez
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Investigation (IVIC) and Provita, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Matthew Scott Luskin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
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15
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Liu Y, Zhao W, Zhang Z, Hua T, Ferreira CSS. The role of nature reserves in conservation effectiveness of ecosystem services in China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 342:118228. [PMID: 37295148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Establishing nature reserves (NRs) is a common method to avoid biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystem services (ESs). The evaluation of ESs in NRs and the exploration of associated influencing factors are the basis for improving ESs and management. However, the ES effectiveness of NRs over time remains questionable, namely due to the heterogeneity of landscape characteristics inside and outside of NRs. This study (i) quantifies the role of 75 NRs in China in maintaining ESs (i.e., net primary production (NPP), soil conservation, sandstorm prevention and water yield) from 2000 to 2020, (ii) reveals the trade-offs/synergies, and (iii) identifies the main influencing factors of the ES effectiveness of NRs. The results show that more than 80% of NRs had positive ES effectiveness, which was greater in older NRs. For different ESs, effectiveness over time increases for NPP (E_NPP), soil conservation (E_SC) and sandstorm prevention (E_SP) but declines for water yield (E_WY). There is a clear synergistic relationship between E_NPP and E_SC. Moreover, the effectiveness of ESs is closely correlated with elevation, precipitation, and perimeter area ratio. Our findings can provide important information to support site selection and management of reserves to improve the delivery of critical ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wenwu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Zhuhai Branch of State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, China
| | - Ting Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Carla Sofia Santos Ferreira
- Department of Physical Geography and Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-10691, Sweden; Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Agrarian Technical School, Coimbra, Portugal
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16
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Duncanson L, Liang M, Leitold V, Armston J, Krishna Moorthy SM, Dubayah R, Costedoat S, Enquist BJ, Fatoyinbo L, Goetz SJ, Gonzalez-Roglich M, Merow C, Roehrdanz PR, Tabor K, Zvoleff A. The effectiveness of global protected areas for climate change mitigation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2908. [PMID: 37263997 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Forests play a critical role in stabilizing Earth's climate. Establishing protected areas (PAs) represents one approach to forest conservation, but PAs were rarely created to mitigate climate change. The global impact of PAs on the carbon cycle has not previously been quantified due to a lack of accurate global-scale carbon stock maps. Here we used ~412 million lidar samples from NASA's GEDI mission to estimate a total PA aboveground carbon (C) stock of 61.43 Gt (+/- 0.31), 26% of all mapped terrestrial woody C. Of this total, 9.65 + /- 0.88 Gt of additional carbon was attributed to PA status. These higher C stocks are primarily from avoided emissions from deforestation and degradation in PAs compared to unprotected forests. This total is roughly equivalent to one year of annual global fossil fuel emissions. These results underscore the importance of conservation of high biomass forests for avoiding carbon emissions and preserving future sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Duncanson
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - M Liang
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - V Leitold
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - J Armston
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - S M Krishna Moorthy
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - R Dubayah
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - S Costedoat
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA
| | - B J Enquist
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA
| | - L Fatoyinbo
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - S J Goetz
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | | | - C Merow
- Eversource Energy Center and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - P R Roehrdanz
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA
| | - K Tabor
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
- Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Zvoleff
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA
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17
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Silva-Junior CHL, Silva FB, Arisi BM, Mataveli G, Pessôa ACM, Carvalho NS, Reis JBC, Silva Júnior AR, Motta NACS, E Silva PVM, Ribeiro FD, Siqueira-Gay J, Alencar A, Saatchi S, Aragão LEOC, Anderson LO, Melo M. Brazilian Amazon indigenous territories under deforestation pressure. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5851. [PMID: 37037850 PMCID: PMC10085996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32746-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies showed that Brazilian Amazon indigenous territories (ITs) are efficient models for preserving forests by reducing deforestation, fires, and related carbon emissions. Considering the importance of ITs for conserving socio-environmental and cultural diversity and the recent climb in the Brazilian Amazon deforestation, we used official remote sensing datasets to analyze deforestation inside and outside indigenous territories within Brazil's Amazon biome during the 2013-2021 period. Deforestation has increased by 129% inside ITs since 2013, followed by an increase in illegal mining areas. In 2019-2021, deforestation was 195% higher and 30% farther from the borders towards the interior of indigenous territories than in previous years (2013-2018). Furthermore, about 59% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions within ITs in 2013-2021 (96 million tons) occurred in the last three years of analyzed years, revealing the magnitude of increasing deforestation to climate impacts. Therefore, curbing deforestation in indigenous territories must be a priority for the Brazilian government to secure these peoples' land rights, ensure the forests' protection and regulate the global climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celso H L Silva-Junior
- Institute of Environment and Sustainability, University of California Los Angeles - UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory - JPL, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Maranhão - UFMA, São Luís, Brazil.
| | - Fabrício B Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Meio Ambiente, Universidade Ceuma - UNICEUMA, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme Mataveli
- National Institute for Space Research - INPE, São José Dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana C M Pessôa
- National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters - Cemaden, São José Dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - João B C Reis
- National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters - Cemaden, São José Dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - Admo R Silva Júnior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Maranhão - UFMA, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Nathalia A C S Motta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Meio Ambiente, Universidade Ceuma - UNICEUMA, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Ane Alencar
- Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia - IPAM, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Sassan Saatchi
- Institute of Environment and Sustainability, University of California Los Angeles - UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory - JPL, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Luiz E O C Aragão
- National Institute for Space Research - INPE, São José Dos Campos, SP, Brazil
- University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Liana O Anderson
- National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters - Cemaden, São José Dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - Maycon Melo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Meio Ambiente, Universidade Ceuma - UNICEUMA, São Luís, MA, Brazil
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18
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Lavoie A, Thomas E, Olivier A. Local working collections as the foundation for an integrated conservation of Theobroma cacao L. in Latin America. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1063266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The intraspecific diversity of cacao has traditionally been preserved in genebanks. However, these establishments face various challenges, notably insufficient funding, accession redundancy, misidentification and lack of wild cacao population samples. In natural environments, it is expected that unknown varieties of cacao may still be found, but wild populations of cacao are increasingly threatened by climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, land use changes and poor knowledge. Farmers also retain diversity, but on-farm conservation is affected by geopolitical, economic, management and cultural issues, that are influenced at multiple scales, from the household to the international market. Taking separately, ex situ, in situ and on-farm conservation have not achieved adequate conservation fostering the inclusion of all stakeholders and the broad use of cacao diversity. We analyze the use of the traditional conservation strategies (ex situ, in situ and on-farm) and propose an integrated approach based on local working collections to secure cacao diversity in the long term. We argue that national conservation networks should be implemented in countries of origin to simultaneously maximize alpha (diversity held in any given working collection), beta (the change in diversity between working collections in different regions) and gamma diversity (overall diversity in a country).
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19
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Gonçalves GSR, Cerqueira PV, Silva DP, Gomes LB, Leão CF, de Andrade AFA, Santos MPD. Multi-temporal ecological niche modeling for bird conservation in the face of climate change scenarios in Caatinga, Brazil. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14882. [PMID: 36874965 PMCID: PMC9979838 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Global shifts in climatic patterns have been recorded over the last decades. Such modifications mainly correspond to increased temperatures and rainfall regime changes, which are becoming more variable and extreme. Methods We aimed to evaluate the impact of future changes in climatic patterns on the distribution of 19 endemic or threatened bird taxa of the Caatinga. We assessed whether current protected areas (PAs) are adequate and whether they will maintain their effectiveness in the future. Also, we identified climatically stable areas that might work as refugia for an array of species. Results We observed that 84% and 87% of the bird species of Caatinga analyzed in this study will face high area losses in their predicted range distribution areas in future scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively). We also observed that the current PAs in Caatinga are ineffective in protecting these species in both present and future scenarios, even when considering all protection area categories. However, several suitable areas can still be allocated for conservation, where there are vegetation remnants and a high amount of species. Therefore, our study paves a path for conservation actions to mitigate current and future extinctions due to climate change by choosing more suitable protection areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pablo Vieira Cerqueira
- Laboratório de Biogeografia da Conservação e Macroecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Daniel Paiva Silva
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Letícia Braga Gomes
- Laboratório de Biogeografia da Conservação e Macroecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Camila Ferreira Leão
- Laboratório de Biogeografia da Conservação e Macroecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
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20
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Benzeev R, Zhang S, Rauber MA, Vance EA, Newton P. Formalizing tenure of Indigenous lands improved forest outcomes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgac287. [PMID: 36712937 PMCID: PMC9879837 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Across the globe, the legal land rights and tenure of many Indigenous peoples are yet to be recognized. A growing body of research demonstrates that tenure of Indigenous lands improves livelihoods and protects forests in addition to inherently recognizing human rights. However, the effect of tenure on environmental outcomes has scarcely been tested in regions with high development pressure, such as those with persisting forest-agriculture conflicts. In this paper, we conduct an event study and a difference-in-differences analysis to estimate the average treatment effect of land tenure on forest cover change for 129 Indigenous lands in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil from 1985 to 2019. We found that forest outcomes in Indigenous lands improved following tenure compared to pretenure and that forest outcomes improved in tenured compared to nontenured lands. We also found that formalized tenure, rather than incomplete tenure, was necessary to improve forest outcomes. Our study is the first rigorous analysis of the effect of tenure on Indigenous lands in the globally important Atlantic Forest biome and contributes to a growing body of literature on the role of rights-based approaches to conservation. The evidence presented in this study may support efforts to secure the legal rights and autonomy of Indigenous peoples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayna Benzeev
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder, Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sam Zhang
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | | | - Eric A Vance
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Peter Newton
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder, Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
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21
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Siegel K, Farah Perez A, Kinnebrew E, Mills‐Novoa M, Ochoa J, Shoffner E. Integration of qualitative and quantitative methods for land-use-change modeling in a deforestation frontier. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13924. [PMID: 35443092 PMCID: PMC10084278 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Development and implementation of effective protected area management to reduce deforestation depend in part on identifying factors contributing to forest loss and areas at risk of conversion, but standard land-use-change modeling may not fully capture contextual factors that are not easily quantified. To better understand deforestation and agricultural expansion in Amazonian protected areas, we combined quantitative land-use-change modeling with qualitative discourse analysis in a case study of Brazil's Jamanxim National Forest. We modeled land-use change from 2008 to 2018 and projected deforestation through 2028. We used variables identified in a review of studies that modeled land-use change in the Amazon (e.g., variables related to agricultural suitability and economic accessibility) and from a critical discourse analysis that examined documents produced by different actors (e.g., government agencies and conservation nonprofit organizations) at various spatial scales. As measured by analysis of variance, McFadden's adjusted pseudo R2 , and quantity and allocation disagreement, we found that including variables in the model identified as important to deforestation dynamics through the qualitative discourse analysis (e.g., the proportion of unallocated public land, distance to proposed infrastructure developments, and density of recent fires) alongside more traditional variables (e.g., elevation, distance to roads, and protection status) improved the predictive ability of these models. Models that included discourse analysis variables and traditional variables explained up to 19.3% more of the observed variation in deforestation probability than a model that included only traditional variables and 4.1% more variation than a model with only discourse analysis variables. Our approach of integrating qualitative and quantitative methods in land-use-change modeling provides a framework for future interdisciplinary work in land-use change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Siegel
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & ManagementUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderColoradoUSA
| | - Aldo Farah Perez
- Department of Earth & the EnvironmentFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Eva Kinnebrew
- Rubenstein School of the Environment & Natural Resources and Gund Institute for EnvironmentUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
| | - Megan Mills‐Novoa
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & ManagementUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
- School of Geography & DevelopmentUniversity of ArizonaTucsonArizonaUSA
- Energy and Resources GroupUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - José Ochoa
- Geography Graduate GroupUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
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22
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Figel JJ, Botero-Cañola S, Lavariega MC, Luna-Krauletz MD. Overlooked jaguar guardians: Indigenous territories and range-wide conservation of a cultural icon. AMBIO 2022; 51:2532-2543. [PMID: 35723798 PMCID: PMC9583995 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01754-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Indigenous territories (ITs) are an integral component of global conservation strategies. We evaluate the range-wide overlap of ITs and the distribution of the jaguar (Panthera onca), a Neotropical apex predator with considerable cultural significance among Indigenous Peoples. We quantified overlap between protected areas (PAs) and ITs among: (1) jaguar range, (2) the species' core habitats, known as Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs), and (3) corridors connecting JCUs. We further evaluated deforestation rates between 2000 and 2020 among protected, unprotected, and indigenous portions of JCUs and corridors and compared jaguar density estimates among these land tenures. Our results indicate that ITs overlap 27.7% of jaguar range. South American JCUs and corridors, which comprise ~ 94% of jaguar distribution, experienced significantly less deforestation where ITs intersected PAs. We documented an unbalanced ratio of jaguar density estimates between indigenous and non-indigenous areas, highlighting the need for more representative sampling. Collaborative approaches for jaguar conservation, informed and guided by indigenous knowledge, can support more inclusive and effective monitoring that reduces dependence on external support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe J. Figel
- Laboratorio de Conservación Colombia, Crr. 81 N 48B-51, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Mario C. Lavariega
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional-Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Hornos 1003, Noche Buena, 71230 Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca México
| | - María Delfina Luna-Krauletz
- Instituto de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad de la Sierra Juárez, Av. Universidad s/n, 68725 Ixtlán de Juárez, Oaxaca México
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23
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Asamoah EF, Maina JM. Nature-based climate solutions require a mix of socioeconomic and governance attributes. iScience 2022; 25:105699. [PMID: 36567709 PMCID: PMC9768352 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature-based climate solutions (NCS) can play a crucial role in reducing climate change. There is, however, a lack of understanding of the biophysical, social, and political contexts surrounding NCS, which hampers its practical implementation. Here, we used estimates of carbon sink potential to identify socioeconomic and ecological factors that may stimulate NCS implementation in developing economies. We considered carbon sink potential for eight NCS, including reforestation, peatland restoration, natural forest management, improved rice cultivation, optimal grazing intensity, grazing (legumes), avoided peatland impacts, and avoided coastal impacts. Food insecurity hotspots, which currently receive the most development aid, have the lowest likelihood of realizing NCS' potential. Poor governance structures and food insecurity impede the implementation of NCS projects at the country level. By carefully assessing complementary food security, sustainable financing, and soil quality safeguards, NCS as a nationally determined contribution to climate mitigation can be made more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest F. Asamoah
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde 2109, NSW, Australia,Corresponding author
| | - Joseph M. Maina
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde 2109, NSW, Australia,Corresponding author
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24
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Sze JS, Childs DZ, Carrasco LR, Edwards DP. Indigenous lands in protected areas have high forest integrity across the tropics. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4949-4956.e3. [PMID: 36302386 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Intact tropical forests have a high conservation value.1 Although perceived as wild,2 they have been under long-term human influence.3 As global area-based conservation targets increase, the ecological contributions of Indigenous peoples through their governance institutions and practices4 are gaining mainstream interest. Indigenous lands-covering a quarter of Earth's surface5 and overlapping with a third of intact forests6-often have reduced deforestation, degradation, and carbon emissions, compared with non-protected areas and protected areas.7,8 A key question with implications for the design of more equitable and effective conservation policies is to understand the impacts of Indigenous lands on forest integrity and long-term use, as critical measures of ecosystem health included within the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.9 Using the forest landscape integrity index10 and Anthromes11 datasets, we find that high-integrity forests tend to be located within the overlap of protected areas and Indigenous lands (protected-Indigenous areas). After accounting for location biases through statistical matching and regression, protected-Indigenous areas had the highest protective effect on forest integrity and the lowest land-use intensity relative to Indigenous lands, protected areas, and non-protected controls pan-tropically. The protective effect of Indigenous lands on forest integrity was lower in Indigenous lands than in protected areas and non-protected areas in the Americas and Asia. The combined positive effects of state legislation and Indigenous presence in protected-Indigenous areas may contribute to maintaining tropical forest integrity. Understanding management and governance in protected-Indigenous areas can help states to appropriately support community-governed lands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyne S Sze
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
| | - Dylan Z Childs
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - L Roman Carrasco
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - David P Edwards
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
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25
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West TAP, Rausch L, Munger J, Gibbs HK. Protected areas still used to produce Brazil's cattle. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thales A. P. West
- Environmental Geography Group, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) Vrije University Amsterdam Amsterdam Netherlands
- Center for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Lisa Rausch
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - Jacob Munger
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - Holly K. Gibbs
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
- Department of Geography University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
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26
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Black B, Anthony BP. Counterfactual assessment of protected area avoided deforestation in Cambodia: Trends in effectiveness, spillover effects and the influence of establishment date. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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27
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Pacheco A, Meyer C. Land tenure drives Brazil's deforestation rates across socio-environmental contexts. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5759. [PMID: 36182932 PMCID: PMC9526711 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33398-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many tropical forestlands are experiencing changes in land-tenure regimes, but how these changes may affect deforestation rates remains ambiguous. Here, we use Brazil’s land-tenure and deforestation data and quasi-experimental methods to analyze how six land-tenure regimes (undesignated/untitled, private, strictly-protected and sustainable-use protected areas, indigenous, and quilombola lands) affect deforestation across 49 spatiotemporal scales. We find that undesignated/untitled public regimes with poorly defined tenure rights increase deforestation relative to any alternative regime in most contexts. The privatization of these undesignated/untitled lands often reduces this deforestation, particularly when private regimes are subject to strict environmental regulations such as the Forest Code in Amazonia. However, private regimes decrease deforestation less effectively and less reliably than alternative well-defined regimes, and directly privatizing either conservation regimes or indigenous lands would most likely increase deforestation. This study informs the ongoing political debate around land privatization/protection in tropical landscapes and can be used to envisage policy aligned with sustainable development goals. How land-tenure regimes affect deforestation remains ambiguous. This study shows how deforestation in Brazil is land-tenure dependent, and how strategies to effectively reduce deforestation can range from strengthening poorly defined rights to strengthening conservation-focused regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pacheco
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. .,Institute for Food and Resource Economics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Carsten Meyer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. .,Institute of Geosciences and Geography, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany. .,Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
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28
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Snyder HT, Oyanedel R, Sneddon CS, Scheld AM. Attitudes and behaviors for understanding compliance in Greenland's Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fishery. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hunter T. Snyder
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College Hanover New Hampshire USA
| | - Rodrigo Oyanedel
- Department of Zoology, Interdisciplinary Center for Conservation Science University of Oxford Oxfordshire UK
| | - Christopher S. Sneddon
- Department of Geography Dartmouth College Hanover New Hampshire USA
- Department of Environmental Studies Dartmouth College Hanover New Hampshire USA
| | - Andrew M. Scheld
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point Virginia USA
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29
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Chen J, Shi H, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang Z. Effectiveness of China’s Protected Areas in Mitigating Human Activity Pressure. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159335. [PMID: 35954691 PMCID: PMC9368507 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Global protected areas are the key factor in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, few studies use human activity pressure to assess the effectiveness of protected areas. This study constructed a human activity pressure index to assess the effectiveness of China’s protected areas, and predicted the change trend in 2050 under the SSP scenarios. The results are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the pressure of human activities in 75.15% of China’s protected areas is on the rise, accounting for 37.98% of the total area of the reserves. (2) China’s protected areas can relieve the pressure of human activities by 1.37%, and there are regional differences in the effectiveness. (3) Under the SSP scenarios, the protected areas can alleviate the effect of the pressure of the population well. These results can provide a systematic and scientific reference for the planning, construction, evaluation and management of global protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- School of Tourism and Urban-Rural Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China; (J.C.); (X.W.)
| | - Hong Shi
- School of Tourism and Historical Culture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.Z.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Tourism and Urban-Rural Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China; (J.C.); (X.W.)
| | - Yiduo Zhang
- School of Tourism and Historical Culture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zihan Zhang
- School of Tourism and Historical Culture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.Z.)
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30
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Mataveli G, de Oliveira G, Chaves MED, Dalagnol R, Wagner FH, Ipia AHS, Silva‐Junior CHL, Aragão LEOC. Science‐based planning can support law enforcement actions to curb deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Mataveli
- Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division National Institute for Space Research (INPE) São José dos Campos Brazil
| | | | - Michel E. D. Chaves
- Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division National Institute for Space Research (INPE) São José dos Campos Brazil
| | - Ricardo Dalagnol
- NASA ‐ Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena California USA
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - Fabien H. Wagner
- NASA ‐ Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena California USA
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - Alber H. S. Ipia
- Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division National Institute for Space Research (INPE) São José dos Campos Brazil
| | - Celso H. L. Silva‐Junior
- NASA ‐ Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena California USA
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
- Department of Agricultural Engineering State University of Maranhão São Luís Brazil
| | - Luiz E. O. C. Aragão
- Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division National Institute for Space Research (INPE) São José dos Campos Brazil
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UK
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31
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What Is the Relationship between Natural Protected Areas and Stakeholders? Based on Literature Analysis from 2000–2021. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13050734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of natural protected areas (NPAs) is an effective means to deal with the degradation of ecosystems caused by climate change and human activities. The area and number of NPAs in the world have shown an obvious growth trend, and their development has ushered in a new bottleneck. More importantly, the management quality of NPAs should be improved, and the key to improving management quality lies in human beings, but the stakeholder groups involved in NPAs are often overlooked by policymakers. In this study, a quantitative review of the global scientific literature on NPAs stakeholders was conducted using a bibliometric approach. The research hotspots and trends, number, time, and countries were analyzed based on data from published articles. The stakeholder types and internal relationships in NPAs were summarized and mapped. The common problems of resources and community resident management among stakeholders were discussed. A total of 5584 research articles selected from the Web of Science core collection database were used as data sources and were visualized using VOSviewer and the Biblioshiny program in the R language. The results of the study help to reveal the mutual influence mechanism between stakeholders during the development of nature reserves and contribute to the sustainable development of global protected areas and human well-being.
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Balancing the Conservation and Poverty Eradication: Differences in the Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Protected Areas between Poor and Non-Poor Counties in China. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14094984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the spatial distribution characteristics of protected areas is the basis to balance the conservation and regional development. With the increasing number and area of protected areas, China has also made decisive progress in the fight against poverty. However, the spatial distribution characteristics of various types of protected areas in poor counties in China are still unclear and lacking further analysis on the differences compared to non-poor counties. Here, we first integrated the spatial distribution data of 8133 protected areas in China and overlaid them with 832 poor counties. Then we explored the spatial distribution characteristics of protected areas and the relationship with socio-economic and natural environment in poor and non-poor counties. The results showed that the area coverage of nature reserves in poor counties in China was significantly higher than that in non-poor counties (p < 0.001), while the area coverage of natural parks in non-poor counties was significantly higher than that in poor counties (p < 0.05). The area coverages of protected areas in poor counties in Northeast (p < 0.05), Southwest (p < 0.001), Central (p < 0.05), and East China (p < 0.01) were significantly higher than that in non-poor counties. Furthermore, the area coverage of nature reserves in poor counties was significantly positively correlated with mean elevation (p < 0.001), and the area coverage of natural parks in non-poor counties was significantly positively correlated with road network density (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the proportion of farmland (p < 0.001). This study can provide a reference to help China and other similar countries in the establishment of protected area systems to balance the conservation and poverty eradication for regional sustainable development.
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Tisler TR, Teixeira FZ, Nóbrega RA. Conservation opportunities and challenges in Brazil's roadless and railroad-less areas. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabi5548. [PMID: 35245118 PMCID: PMC8896799 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi5548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Policy and legislation rarely acknowledge the importance of keeping intact ecosystems road- and railroad-free. By modeling Brazil's remaining roadless and railroad-less (RLRL) areas, we found that, although they hold the vast majority of the country's remaining native vegetation (81.5%), because of their limited protection status, only 38% of Brazil's remaining native vegetation is both protected and in RLRL areas. Current federal policy aims to develop transportation infrastructure designed with antiquated planning methods that threaten remaining intact ecosystems, while concurrently weakening the country's hallmark environmental protections and commitments. Where Brazil builds its new roads and railroads matters for conservation planning. The occurrence of native vegetation and anthropic land use is associated, at varying degrees, to transportation infrastructure throughout most of Brazil. We highlight that by pursuing conservation opportunities in RLRL areas, Brazil could instead make impactful steps for conservation, restoration planning, and tangible progress toward achieving national and international environmental and conservation commitments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor R. Tisler
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Análise e Modelagem de Sistemas Ambientais, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Transportation Research and Environmental Modeling (TREM) Group, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Z. Teixeira
- Transportation Research and Environmental Modeling (TREM) Group, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Núcleo de Ecologia de Rodovias e Ferrovias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A.A. Nóbrega
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Análise e Modelagem de Sistemas Ambientais, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Transportation Research and Environmental Modeling (TREM) Group, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Ahmed S, Soorae PS, Hammadi EA, Zaabi RA, Saji A, Khan SB, Sakkir S, Ali A, Khaliq I, Gubiani RE, Javed S, Omari KA, Dhaheri SA. Does habitat heterogeneity influence taxonomic richness and abundance? A case study from a terrestrial protected area in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:1737-1746. [PMID: 35280566 PMCID: PMC8913417 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity is under enormous pressure from multiple threats including climate change, land use change, habitat alterations and hunting pressure. One way to ease this pressure on biodiversity and to mitigate the effects of above-mentioned threats, is to establish protected areas. Importance of protected increases many folds in regions that are considered as biodiversity poor regions i.e. deserts. Protected areas have long been a major pillar of biodiversity conservation strategies; the Houbara Protected Area (HPA) is one of the 13 terrestrial protected areas in Abu Dhabi Emirate officially declared in 2017. However, no information regarding the status of biodiversity in the HPA has been communicated to the research fraternity. During the present study, surveys were conducted to fill this gap. The survey area was divided in to 50 grids of 5 × 5 km2 and monitoring surveys were undertaken from January to December 2016. A total of 14 bi-monthly to monthly surveys were conducted within HPA and 196 species of different taxonomical groups were recorded. A year-long survey yielded highly diversified fauna and flora from 19 different habitat types (H) 1.32, (E) 2.28, Shannon Diversity Index). We looked at the influence of habitat breadth and temperature on the species richness and abundance, results shows that in desert setup heterogeneity of habitat is not an important factor in maintaining the biodiversity as total number of individuals as well as species were similar in the grids that have different number of habitat types (df = 34.3, t = -0.472, P = 0.640). However, we did find a positive impact of mean monthly temperature on species richness (df = 154, t = 2.53, P = 0.012). Our study highlights the importance of temperature in driving species abundance and richness in protected area. Abundance and species richness are similar in protected areas indicating that protection is allowing species to explore the heterogenous habitats. Overall, we can conclude that protection is beneficial for species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakeel Ahmed
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Eissa Al Hammadi
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rashed Al Zaabi
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anitha Saji
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shahid B Khan
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sabitha Sakkir
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Imran Khaliq
- Department of Ecology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), Überlandtrasse 113, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.,WSL, Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Flüelastr. 11, 7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland
| | - Robert E Gubiani
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sálim Javed
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaldoun Al Omari
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shaikha Al Dhaheri
- Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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The “New Transamazonian Highway”: BR-319 and Its Current Environmental Degradation. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14020823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Brazilian government intends to complete the paving of the BR-319 highway, which connects Porto Velho in the deforestation arc region with Manaus in the middle of the Amazon Forest. This paving is being planned despite environmental legislation, and there is concern that its effectiveness will cause additional deforestation, threatening large portions of forest, conservation units (CUs), and indigenous lands (ILs) in the surrounding areas. In this study, we evaluated environmental degradation along the BR-319 highway from 2008 to 2020 and verified whether highway maintenance has contributed to deforestation. For this purpose, we created a 20 km buffer adjacent to the BR-319 highway and evaluated variables extracted from remote sensing information between 2008 and 2020. Fire foci, burned areas, and rainfall data were used to calculate a drought index using statistical tests for a time series. Furthermore, these were related to data on deforestation, CUs, and ILs using principal component analysis and Pearson’s correlation. Our results showed that 743 km2 of forest was deforested during the period evaluated, most of which occurred in the last four years. A total of 16,472 fire foci were identified. Both deforestation and fire foci occurred mainly outside the CUs and ILs. The most affected areas were close to capital cities, and after resuming road maintenance in 2015, deforestation increased outside the capital cities. Current government policy for Amazon occupation promotes deforestation and will compromise Brazil’s climate goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and deforestation.
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Vitorino LC, de Souza UJB, Oliveira Reis MN, Bessa LA. The impact of COVID-19 on the indigenous peoples related to air and road networks and habitat loss. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000166. [PMID: 36962276 PMCID: PMC10021690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The vegetation loss in the Brazil's Legal Amazon (BLA) in 2020 corresponds to the highest loss observed in a decade, caused by the intensification of fires, mineral extraction activities, and other pressures. The possibility of earning from illegal activities such as deforestation and mining attracts the population to indigenous territories, while fires aggravate respiratory problems and enhance the current COVID-19 crisis. Furthermore, the BLA's road network is usually related to increased deforestation and fires in its areas of influence, and airports are known to contribute to spreading COVID-19 infections worldwide. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the effect of characteristics of Special Indigenous Health Districts (DSEIs) (including population, number of airports, and extent of the road network) and vegetation loss rates (deforestation, and area of vegetation lost by fires and mining) on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among the indigenous population in DSEIs in the BLA. We observed a positive correlation between the number of cases and deaths and the number of Indigenous Primary Healthcare Units, suggesting that many of these units did not increase appropriate activities for prevention and protection from COVID-19 in the DSEIs. The DSEIs with larger air transport and road networks were more affected by COVID-19. These networks constituted critical mechanisms for facilitating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the BLA. Additionally, we noted that changes that impact the landscape of DSEIs, such as fires and mining, also impact legal indigenous areas (IAs). Thus, IAs are not spared from exploratory processes in the district's landscape. Models that associate the air transport and road networks with the transformation of the landscape in IAs from burning or mining can explain the number of indigenous people who died due to COVID-19. These results are particularly important given the current disruptive scenario imposed by the Brazilian government on critical institutions that detect and fight fires in indigenous lands and the policies enacted to combat COVID-19 in Brazil, which are based on denying isolation measures and delaying vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Layara Alexandre Bessa
- Laboratory of Plant Mineral Nutrition and Center of Excellence in Exponential Agriculture-CEAGRE, Goiano Federal Institute, Rio Verde-GO, Brasil
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Peruvian Amazon disappearing: Transformation of protected areas during the last two decades (2001–2019) and potential future deforestation modelling using cloud computing and MaxEnt approach. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Pokorny B, Pacheco P, de Jong W, Entenmann SK. Forest frontiers out of control: The long-term effects of discourses, policies, and markets on conservation and development of the Brazilian Amazon. AMBIO 2021; 50:2199-2223. [PMID: 34637088 PMCID: PMC8507351 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
With the Brazilian military governments of the 1960s, systematic economic development of the Amazon began. Social and environmental concerns have entered Amazonian discourses and policies only since the 1990s. Since then, reports of threats to forests and indigenous people have alternated with reports of socio-economic progress and environmental achievements. These contradictions often arise from limited thematic, sectoral, temporal, or spatial perspectives, and lead to misinterpretation. Our paper offers a comprehensive picture of discourses, policies, and socio-environmental dynamics for the entire region over the last five decades. We distinguish eight historical policy phases, each of which had little effect on near-linear dynamics of demographic growth and land-use expansion, although some policies showed the potential to change the course of development. To prevent local, national, and international actors from continuing to assert harmful interests in the region, a coherent long-term commitment and change in the collective mindset are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benno Pokorny
- Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg (Germany), Tennenbacher Strasse 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pablo Pacheco
- World Wide Fund for Nature, 1250 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037 USA
| | - Wil de Jong
- Center for Southeast Asian and Integrated Area Studies, Kyoto University (Japan), 46 Shimoadachichou, Sakyoku, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan
| | - Steffen Karl Entenmann
- Chair of Silvicutlure, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg (Germany), Tennenbacher Strasse 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Land Use and Land Cover Changes in the Diversity and Life Zone for Uncontacted Indigenous People: Deforestation Hotspots in the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazon. FORESTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/f12111539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Land use and land cover change (LULC) is an essential component for the monitoring environmental change and managing natural resources in areas of high natural and cultural biodiversity, such as the Amazon biome. This study was conducted in in the northern Amazon of Ecuador, specifically in the Diversity and Life Zone (DLZ) of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve (YBR). The general aim was to investigate the territorial dynamics of land use/land cover changes to support policies for environmental and sociocultural protection in the DLZ. Specific objectives included (i) mapping LULC spatial and temporal dynamics in the DLZ in the period from 1999 to 2018, (ii) identifying sensitive LULC hotspots within the DLZ, and (iii) defining the possible policy implications for sustainable land use in the DLZ. Multitemporal satellite imagery from the Landsat series was used to map changes in LULC, which were divided into three-time stages (1999–2009, 2009–2018, 1999–2018). We adopted open-access Landsat images downloaded from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The processes for assessing LULC in the DLZ included (1) data collection and analysis, (2) data processing for remote sensing, (3) thematic land cover, and (4) homogenization and vectorization of images. The results showed that in the period 1999–2018, most of the uses and land cover were transformed into pastures in the DLZ. Therefore, it is important to improve territorial planning, to avoid conflicts between indigenous populations, migrant settlers, and uncontacted indigenous populations that live in the DLZ, within the YBR.
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Buřivalová Z, Hart SJ, Radeloff VC, Srinivasan U. Early warning sign of forest loss in protected areas. Curr Biol 2021; 31:4620-4626.e3. [PMID: 34411528 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
As humanity is facing the double challenge of species extinctions and climate change, designating parts of forests as protected areas is a key conservation strategy.1-4 Protected areas, encompassing 14.9% of the Earth's land surface and 19% of global forests, can prevent forest loss but do not do so perfectly everywhere.5-12 The reasons why protection only works in some areas are difficult to generalize: older and newer parks, protected areas with higher and lower suitability for agriculture, and more and less strict protection can be more effective at preventing forest loss than their counterparts.6,8,9,12-16 Yet predicting future forest loss within protected areas is crucial to proactive conservation. Here, we identify an early warning sign of subsequent forest loss, based on forest loss patterns in strict protected areas and their surrounding landscape worldwide, from 2000 to 2018.17,18 We found that a low level in the absolute forest cover immediately outside of a protected area signals a high risk of future forest loss inside the protected area itself. When the amount of forest left outside drops to <20%, the protected area is likely to experience rates of forest loss matching those in the wider landscape, regardless of its protection status (e.g., 5% loss outside will be matched by 5% loss inside). This knowledge could be used to direct funding to protected areas threatened by imminent forest loss, helping to proactively bolster protection to prevent forest loss, especially in countries where detailed information is lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Buřivalová
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Sarah J Hart
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Volker C Radeloff
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Umesh Srinivasan
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
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Edwards DP, Cerullo GR, Chomba S, Worthington TA, Balmford AP, Chazdon RL, Harrison RD. Upscaling tropical restoration to deliver environmental benefits and socially equitable outcomes. Curr Biol 2021; 31:R1326-R1341. [PMID: 34637743 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration offers immense potential to return hundreds of millions of hectares of degraded tropical landscapes to functioning ecosystems. Well-designed restoration can tackle multiple Sustainable Development Goals, driving synergistic benefits for biodiversity, ecosystem services, agricultural and timber production, and local livelihoods at large spatial scales. To deliver on this potential, restoration efforts must recognise and reduce trade-offs among objectives, and minimize competition with food production and conservation of native ecosystems. Restoration initiatives also need to confront core environmental challenges of climate change and inappropriate planting in savanna biomes, be robustly funded over the long term, and address issues of poor governance, inadequate land tenure, and socio-cultural disparities in benefits and costs. Tackling these issues using the landscape approach is vital to realising the potential for restoration to break the cycle of land degradation and poverty, and deliver on its core environmental and social promises.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Edwards
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
| | | | | | | | - Andrew P Balmford
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Robin L Chazdon
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
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Sustainable-use protected areas catalyze enhanced livelihoods in rural Amazonia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2105480118. [PMID: 34580218 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2105480118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Finding new pathways for reconciling socioeconomic well-being and nature sustainability is critically important for contemporary societies, especially in tropical developing countries where sustaining local livelihoods often clashes with biodiversity conservation. Many projects aimed at reconciling the goals of biodiversity conservation and social aspirations within protected areas (PAs) have failed on one or both counts. Here, we investigate the social consequences of living either inside or outside sustainable-use PAs in the Brazilian Amazon, using data from more than 100 local communities along a 2,000-km section of a major Amazonian river. The PAs in this region are now widely viewed as conservation triumphs, having implemented community comanagement of fisheries and recovery of overexploited wildlife populations. We document clear differences in social welfare in communities inside and outside PAs. Specifically, communities inside PAs enjoy better access to health care, education, electricity, basic sanitation, and communication infrastructure. Moreover, living within a PA was the strongest predictor of household wealth, followed by cash-transfer programs and the number of people per household. These collective cobenefits clearly influence life satisfaction, with only 5% of all adult residents inside PAs aspiring to move to urban centers, compared with 58% of adults in unprotected areas. Our results clearly demonstrate that large-scale "win-win" conservation solutions are possible in tropical countries with limited financial and human resources and reinforce the need to genuinely empower local people in integrated conservation-development programs.
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Gonçalves-Souza D, Vilela B, Phalan B, Dobrovolski R. The role of protected areas in maintaining natural vegetation in Brazil. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabh2932. [PMID: 34533997 PMCID: PMC8448448 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh2932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The destruction of natural vegetation in recent decades has been concentrated in the tropics, where ecosystem processes underpin global homeostasis and harbor most of the world’s biodiversity. Protected areas (PAs) are the primary societal tool to avoid this destruction, yet their effectiveness is often questioned. Here, we quantified the impact of PAs and indigenous lands in avoiding 34 years of vegetation destruction in forested and nonforested biomes in Brazil. We showed that the odds of destruction in the PA network are four times lower than in unprotected areas, and generally, this positive effect extends to a buffer zone around PAs. Among the most effective groups of PAs are those that are older, larger, located in the Amazonian region, and indigenous lands. Despite recent setbacks for the Brazilian PA system, we highlight the benefits of PAs for biodiversity and climate if they were instead strengthened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gonçalves-Souza
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
- Corresponding author.
| | - Bruno Vilela
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Ben Phalan
- Centre for Conservation of Atlantic Forest Birds, Instituto Claravis, Parque das Aves, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
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Vittor AY, Laporta GZ, Sallum MAM, Walker RT. The COVID-19 crisis and Amazonia's indigenous people: Implications for conservation and global health. WORLD DEVELOPMENT 2021; 145:105533. [PMID: 36570383 PMCID: PMC9758534 DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystem health and zoonotic diseases are closely interwoven. Even as we grapple with the SARS-Coronavirus-2 pandemic, which may have its origins in wildlife, weakening environmental policies in the Brazilian Amazon are elevating the risk of additional zoonotic spillover events. We examine the links between deforestation and disease emergence in the Amazon, as illustrated by outbreaks of yellow fever virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and Oropouche virus. It has been well established that in Brazil, indigenous territories exhibit lower rates of forest conversion and degradation than in areas designated for sustainable use. In this way, Amazonia's indigenous tribes promote public health while sustaining ecosystem services. However, indigenous land rights are under attack due to current policies enabling illegal land grabbing, mining and logging. Further adding to the existential struggle of indigenous tribes, malaria and SARS-Coronavirus-2 are wreaking havoc on these vulnerable populations. There is a critical need for protection of indigenous people's rights and health, as well as a sustained effort to support the study of mechanisms underlying anthropogenic land use change and zoonotic disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Y Vittor
- Division of Infectious Disease and Global Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Gabriel Zorello Laporta
- Setor de Pós-graduação, Pesquisa e Inovação, Centro Universitário Saúde ABC (FMABC), Fundação do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Anice Mureb Sallum
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Robert T Walker
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Pressey RL, Visconti P, McKinnon MC, Gurney GG, Barnes MD, Glew L, Maron M. The mismeasure of conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 36:808-821. [PMID: 34303527 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
One of the basic purposes of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation interventions is to achieve conservation impact, the sum of avoided biodiversity loss and promoted recovery relative to outcomes without protection. In the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity's negotiations on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, we find that targets for area-based interventions are framed overwhelmingly with measures that fail to inform decision-makers about impact and that risk diverting limited resources away from achieving it. We show that predicting impact in space and time is feasible and can provide the basis for global guidance for jurisdictions to develop targets for conservation impact and shift investment priorities to areas where impact can be most effectively achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Pressey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
| | - Piero Visconti
- International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | | | - Georgina G Gurney
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Megan D Barnes
- Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Martine Maron
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Alejo C, Meyer C, Walker WS, Gorelik SR, Josse C, Aragon-Osejo JL, Rios S, Augusto C, Llanos A, Coomes OT, Potvin C. Are indigenous territories effective natural climate solutions? A neotropical analysis using matching methods and geographic discontinuity designs. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245110. [PMID: 34252100 PMCID: PMC8274867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Indigenous Territories (ITs) with less centralized forest governance than Protected Areas (PAs) may represent cost-effective natural climate solutions to meet the Paris agreement. However, the literature has been limited to examining the effect of ITs on deforestation, despite the influence of anthropogenic degradation. Thus, little is known about the temporal and spatial effect of allocating ITs on carbon stocks dynamics that account for losses from deforestation and degradation. Using Amazon Basin countries and Panama, this study aims to estimate the temporal and spatial effects of ITs and PAs on carbon stocks. To estimate the temporal effects, we use annual carbon density maps, matching analysis, and linear mixed models. Furthermore, we explore the spatial heterogeneity of these estimates through geographic discontinuity designs, allowing us to assess the spatial effect of ITs and PAs boundaries on carbon stocks. The temporal effects highlight that allocating ITs preserves carbon stocks and buffer losses as well as allocating PAs in Panama and Amazon Basin countries. The geographic discontinuity designs reveal that ITs' boundaries secure more extensive carbon stocks than their surroundings, and this difference tends to increase towards the least accessible areas, suggesting that indigenous land use in neotropical forests may have a temporarily and spatially stable impact on carbon stocks. Our findings imply that ITs in neotropical forests support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Thus, Indigenous peoples must become recipients of countries' results-based payments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Alejo
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chris Meyer
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Local Energy Alliance Program, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Wayne S. Walker
- Woodwell Climate Research Center, Falmouth, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Seth R. Gorelik
- Woodwell Climate Research Center, Falmouth, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Carmen Josse
- Red Amazónica de Información Socioambiental Georreferenciada, São Paulo, Brazil
- Fundación EcoCiencia, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jose Luis Aragon-Osejo
- Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sandra Rios
- Red Amazónica de Información Socioambiental Georreferenciada, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto del Bien Común, Lima, Perú
| | - Cicero Augusto
- Red Amazónica de Información Socioambiental Georreferenciada, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto Socioambiental, São Paulo, Brasil
| | | | - Oliver T. Coomes
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Catherine Potvin
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
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Mataveli GAV, Pereira G, de Oliveira G, Seixas HT, Cardozo FDS, Shimabukuro YE, Kawakubo FS, Brunsell NA. 2020 Pantanal's widespread fire: short- and long-term implications for biodiversity and conservation. BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION 2021; 30:3299-3303. [PMID: 34230776 PMCID: PMC8252692 DOI: 10.1007/s10531-021-02243-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Pantanal faced an unprecedented drought event in 2020. The hydrological year ended in July, 2020 had an annual average rainfall 26 % lower than the average from 1982 to 2020. Consequently, catastrophic wildfires burned out of control. Active fires during this year have also increased, and were 123 % higher than the 2002-2020 Pantanal's average. Approximately 95 % of these active fires occurred in natural land covers with 28 % of them occurring in areas classified as wetlands that likely dried out due to the drought. Therefore, the development of a special policy is needed to minimize the impact of this crisis on the biodiversity, conservation, and traditional people of the Pantanal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme A. V. Mataveli
- Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division, National Institute for Space Research, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Pereira
- Department of Geosciences, Federal University of São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais São João del-Rei, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Physical Geography, University of São Paulo, São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel de Oliveira
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of South Alabama, Alabama Mobile, United States of America
| | - Hugo T. Seixas
- Center for Environmental Studies and Research, University of Campinas, São Paulo Campinas, Brazil
| | - Francielle da S. Cardozo
- Department of Geosciences, Federal University of São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais São João del-Rei, Brazil
| | - Yosio E. Shimabukuro
- Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division, National Institute for Space Research, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando S. Kawakubo
- Graduate Program in Physical Geography, University of São Paulo, São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nathaniel A. Brunsell
- Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science, University of Kansas, Kansas Lawrence, United States of America
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Wolf C, Levi T, Ripple WJ, Zárrate-Charry DA, Betts MG. A forest loss report card for the world's protected areas. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:520-529. [PMID: 33574606 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01389-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Protected areas are a key tool in the conservation of global biodiversity and carbon stores. We conducted a global test of the degree to which more than 18,000 terrestrial protected areas (totalling 5,293,217 km2) reduce deforestation in relation to unprotected areas. We also derived indices that quantify how well countries' forests are protected, both in terms of forested area protected and effectiveness of protected areas at reducing deforestation, in relation to vertebrate species richness, aboveground forest carbon biomass and background deforestation rates. Overall, protected areas did not eliminate deforestation, but reduced deforestation rates by 41%. Protected area deforestation rates were lowest in small reserves with low background deforestation rates. Critically, we found that after adjusting for effectiveness, only 6.5%-rather than 15.7%-of the world's forests are protected, well below the Aichi Convention on Biological Diversity's 2020 Target of 17%. We propose that global targets for protected areas should include quantitative goals for effectiveness in addition to spatial extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Wolf
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Taal Levi
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - William J Ripple
- Global Trophic Cascades Program, Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Diego A Zárrate-Charry
- Forest Biodiversity Research Network, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Matthew G Betts
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Forest Biodiversity Research Network, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
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Opportunities and challenges of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) for biodiversity conservation. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Abstract
This study investigates the main threats related to environmental degradation that affect Amazonian Indigenous Lands (ILs). Through a cluster analysis, we group ILs according to the set of common environmental threats that occur within and outside their limits. The results show that most of the 383 ILs are affected internally by a combination of different environmental threats, namely: deforestation, forest degradation, fires, mining, croplands, pastures, and roads. However, the ILs affected by multiple and relatively severe threats are mainly located in the arc of deforestation and the Roraima state. The threats related to forest loss (deforestation, forest degradation, and fires) are more intense in the ILs’ buffer zones than within, showing that ILs effectively promote environmental preservation. In the cluster analysis, we identified seven clusters that are characterized by common environmental threats within and around their limits, and, based on these results, we have outlined four environmental policy priorities to be strengthened and applied in Amazonian ILs: protecting ILs’ buffer zones; strengthening surveillance actions, and combating illegal deforestation, forest degradation, and mining activities in ILs; preventing and fighting fires; and removing invaders from all ILs in the Amazon. In this study, we warn that the threats presented make the Indigenous peoples in the Amazon more vulnerable. To guarantee indigenous peoples’ rights, illegal actions in these territories and their surroundings must be contained, and quickly.
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