Prioritizing Conservation Investments for Mammals
Author Information
Author(s): Kerrie A. Wilson, Megan C. Evans, Moreno Di Marco, David C. Green, Luigi Boitani, Hugh P. Possingham, Federica Chiozza, Carlo Rondinini
Primary Institution: The University of Queensland
Hypothesis
How can we prioritize conservation investments for threatened mammal species globally?
Conclusion
The study provides a comprehensive framework for prioritizing conservation investments that maximizes the number of species conserved within a fixed budget.
Supporting Evidence
- The analysis represents the first fine-resolution prioritization for mammals at a global scale.
- Protected areas received the majority of the conservation budget, while restoration was not prioritized.
- Investment success was evaluated using historical legislative effectiveness data.
- Approximately 30% of the total funding in the first 5 years was directed towards Madagascar and Indonesia.
Takeaway
This study helps us figure out the best places to spend money to protect endangered mammals, so we can save as many species as possible.
Methodology
The study used fine-resolution species distribution data and evaluated conservation actions based on costs, threats, and likelihood of success.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in investment allocation due to political instability and ineffective governance in biodiversity hotspots.
Limitations
The analysis did not consider direct threats like hunting due to lack of data and assumed static rates of habitat conversion.
Participant Demographics
The analysis included 1128 threatened and near-threatened mammal species.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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