Title
Balancing ecosystem and threatened species
representation in protected areas and implications
for nations achieving global conservation goals
Author(s)
Polak, Tal;Watson, James E.M. ;Bennett, Joseph R. ;Possingham, Hugh P. ;Fuller, Richard A. ;Carwardine, Josie
Published
2016
Publisher
Conservation Letters
Abstract
Balancing the representation of ecosystems and threatened species habitats is critical for
optimizing protected area (PA) networks and achieving the Convention on Biological
Diversity strategic goals. Here we provide a systematic approach for maximizing
representativeness of ecosystems and threatened species within a constrained total PA
network size, using Australia as a case study. We show that protection of 24.4% of Australia
is needed to achieve 17% representation for each ecosystem and all threatened species habitat
targets. When the size of the PA estate is constrained, trade-off curves between ecosystem
and species targets are J-shaped, indicating potential “win-win” configurations. For example,
optimally increasing the current PA network to 17% could protect 9% of each ecosystem and
ensure that all threatened species achieve at least 78% of their targets. This method of
integrating species and ecosystem targets in PA planning allows nations to maximize
different PA goals under financial and geographical constraints.
Keywords
CBD Aichi targets;ecosystem-based targets;financial and geographical constraints;maximizing representativeness;protected area network;trade-offs
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