Research Record: Global Shortfalls in Documented Actions to Conserve Biodiversity

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The Details

David S. Wilcove

Authors: David S. Wilcove (Princeton University), Rebecca Senior (Durham University), Ruby Bagwyn (Williams College), Danyan Leng (Yale University), Alexander Killion (Yale University), and Walter Jets (Yale University)
Title: Global shortfalls in documented actions to conserve biodiversity
Journal: Nature

The Big Picture

Threatened species are, by definition, species in need of assistance, whether that involves protecting their habitats or eliminating other threats to their survival. The researchers examined the degree to which nearly 6,000 terrestrial species — excluding fish and other marine and freshwater animals — that are globally recognized as being in danger of extinction, are being protected against three of the most widespread threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, overexploitation for the international trade in wildlife and wildlife parts, and harmful, invasive species.

“Overall, we found that 58% of the world's threatened terrestrial species lack meaningful habitat protection or any other documented conservation measures to alleviate the threats they face.”
—David S. Wilcove, vice dean, SPIA; professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and public affairs and the High Meadows Environmental Institute

The Findings

The team concluded that 91% of the species threatened by habitat loss appear not to have minimally sufficient amounts of their habitats protected in nature reserves, parks, etc. In some instances, a few of these species may have some of their habitat protected in reserves, but the information has not been shared with the international databases that track conservation progress. Also, many of the species threatened by overhunting or invasive species also lack adequate protection. Most threatened species face multiple threats.

The Implications 

Many of the world's countries have committed to the 30 by 30 initiative, where 30% of the world’s land and ocean areas will be designated as protected, by 2030. A top priority, according to Wilcove, should be protecting those habitats occupied by the world's threatened species.

“Also, it appears as though over half of the world's threatened terrestrial species are not documented as receiving any significant relief from the threats they face,” Wilcove said. “It's possible that some of these neglected species are receiving attention, but those efforts have not been documented. Even so, it means we don't know how well those species are faring. That needs to change quickly if we wish to avoid a mass extinction event.”

The Stats

6,000 — Terrestrial species that are globally recognized as being in danger of extinction

91% — Percentage of those species threatened by habitat loss that appear to not have minimally sufficient amounts of their habitats protected in nature reserves, parks, etc.

58% — Percentage of the world's threatened terrestrial species that lack meaningful habitat protection or any other documented conservation measures