Conservation initiatives targeting just 0.7% of the Earth’s land can potentially safeguard a third of the planet’s unique and threatened tetrapod species, according to new research conducted by Imperial College London, On the Edge, and the ZSL.
Research from Imperial College London has revealed that by concentrating conservation efforts on only 0.7% of the Earth’s land, we could protect one third of the globe’s threatened tetrapod (four-limbed vertebrate) species.
The study, led by Imperial College London researchers and published recently in Nature Communications, indicates that significant conservation advancements are achievable by targeting regions rich in biodiversity and housing species that are both evolutionarily unique and globally endangered.
Among the endangered species highlighted are the aye-aye, a distinctive lemur native to Madagascar; the secretary bird, known for its long legs and eagle-like body; the purple frog, notable for its pig-like nose; and the gharial, a critically endangered crocodile from the Indian subcontinent.
Currently, only 20% of the identified areas in the study have some form of protection, with many regions experiencing rising human-related pressures.
Lead author Sebastian Pipins, a PhD student at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, commented: “Our research pinpoints regions that require urgent attention. Additionally, it demonstrates that by safeguarding just a small portion of the Earth’s land, we can achieve significant improvements in nature conservation.”
On the brink of extinction
The research pinpointed specific conservation zones characterized by a remarkably high level of threatened evolutionary history, marked by concentrations of Evolutionarily Distinct (ED) and Globally Endangered (GE) species.
Evolutionary distinctiveness measures how unique a species is, often resulting from long periods of unique evolutionary history with few close relatives. Global endangerment indicates a species’ risk of extinction. Species that rank highly on both these scales are termed EDGE species, while areas rich in these species are known as EDGE Zones.
Pipins stressed the importance of considering not just species diversity but also the evolutionary history in conservation to prevent the loss of significant branches of life’s tree.
Areas of interest
The study mapped nearly 3,000 EDGE species and identified 25 EDGE Zones where conservation efforts could be most effective. Areas rich in these species include vast sections of Southeast Asia and the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Amazon Basin, the Atlantic Forest, as well as regions in Hispaniola, the highlands of Cameroon, and the Eastern Arc Mountains in East Africa.
The analysis revealed that Madagascar hosts the highest concentration of EDGE species within an area smaller than 100 square kilometers, along with regions in Mexico and Indonesia.
Emphasizing the need for national efforts to bolster conservation, the research found that 75.6% of EDGE species reside in a single nation.
Co-author Dr. Rikki Gumbs from ZSL’s EDGE of Existence program noted: “Three-quarters of the world’s most unique species are confined to one country, which means that action from individual nations will significantly contribute to protecting these remarkable animals from extinction.”
Large areas of Southeast Asia, which hosts numerous EDGE species, are facing a severe biodiversity crisis impacting its unique species.
Human influence
The study also revealed that most EDGE Zones endure significant human-induced disturbance, and the communities in these regions often grapple with education, health, and living standard challenges.
Dr. Gumbs remarked: “We are currently amidst a biodiversity crisis driven by unsustainable resource use; it’s alarming but not surprising that 80% of the zones we identified experience high pressures from human activities.”
In light of these challenges, government resources are frequently allocated to address human needs, leaving limited support for biodiversity conservation.
Pipins emphasized: “Given the global significance of the biodiversity in these regions, high-income countries need to allocate funding to promote sustainable development that benefits both people and nature.”
Global aspirations
Only 20% of EDGE zones have any protection. As nations strive to conserve 30% of land and sea by 2030, as outlined by the Convention on Biological Diversity’s target, the authors urge prioritization of the unprotected segments of EDGE Zones.
Dr. Gumbs called for action from world leaders in the lead-up to the COP16 Biodiversity Conference: “We need global leaders to enhance their commitments and resources to support these initiatives and restore our natural world.”
The findings demonstrate that substantial biodiversity gains can be achieved with relatively minor expansions of protected areas. Furthermore, the research suggests the potential for extending the EDGE Zone concept to other critical wildlife groups, including plants and fish.
Utilizing EDGE zone findings
The EDGE Zones identified will inform the work of the organization On the Edge, guiding its conservation grant-making, regional campaigns, and storytelling initiatives led by grantees.
These findings will also contribute to decision-making regarding resource allocation for ZSL’s EDGE of Existence program, which has already funded projects for over 50 EDGE species found in EDGE Zone countries, focusing particularly on the Gangetic Plains and Cameroon.
