A Roadmap for Successful Species and Habitat Conservation

6/13/20233 min read

red-petaled flowering plant
red-petaled flowering plant

When choosing species for conservation, the scientific community has tended to focus on the nativeness or endemism of the species (Fischer et al 2011).

Ecological factors supporting conservation of habitats include the following: (a) whether the habitat sought to be conserved exists within an agglomeration of ecosystems, such as ecoregions which characterise the biodiversity of the region or which are complementary in species distribution and diverseness; (b) whether the subject habitat possesses particular richness or variation in biodiversity; (c) whether the habitat possesses particular rare or picturesque species or species which, if lost, cannot be replaced; (d) whether the habitat is undergoing acute biodiversity loss; and (e) whether biodiversity within the habitat is easily monitored by way of the existence of dominant species (Hunter et al 2021).

In terms of logistics, decision-makers would tend to prioritise a habitat which is in immediate danger of deteriorating, which is owned by one (cooperative) owner, and/or which is in a comparatively well-preserved state (Hunter et al 2021).

The socio-economic determinants include whether the habitat is an area of natural beauty, whether it is in a remote location, whether the human settlement in the area is sparse, and whether the habitat is deemed to be of commercial benefit (Hunter et al 2021).

The conservation of species and habitats which are favoured in public perception tend to be more successful (Fischer et al 2011; Home et al 2009), especially those which are perceived to be charismatic in terms of conspicuousness, usefulness, attractiveness, and likelihood of producing happiness for humankind (Home et al 2009 citing Lorimer 2006; Fischer et al 2011).

Certain charismatic or ecologically important species may be adopted by conservation groups as flagship species and employed in the branding and fundraising efforts of such groups, which add to the species’ public appeal and awareness (Home et al 2009). Umbrella species (in particular charismatic large vertebrates), and those under the umbrella of the habitat requirements of umbrella species, tend to receive more conservation attention (Home et al 2009).

The local academic community, conservation advocates, legislators, and administrators of land (Home et al 2009) need to be involved in the preservation of biodiversity, in close collaboration and consultation with local and Indigenous communities (Dawson et al 2021).

National policymakers and legislators need to halt habitat loss, the introduction of invasive alien species, and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources within their areas of sovereignty (Collen et al 2013), including anthropogenic population growth (The Royal Society 2003) and to install and enforce robust legal and practical measures to achieve those aims. National governments should also participate in regional efforts, especially where vulnerable ecoregions transcend national boundaries.

The global scientific community will also need to work together to deepen biodiversity knowledge from the species level up to global trends (The Royal Society 2003). National governments should also share technology and knowledge, collate reliable and up-to-date indices, and assist less developed countries in building the capacity needed to coordinate a worldwide push toward stemming the rates of biological diversity loss.

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References:

  • Collen, B., N. Pettorelli, J.E.M. Baillie and S.M. Durant. (2013). ‘Biodiversity monitoring and conservation: bridging the gap between global commitment and local action’. (Cambridge: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013). Chapter 1: Biodiversity monitoring and conservation: bridging the gaps between global commitment and local action.

  • Dawson, N. M., B. Coolsaet, E. J. Sterling, R. Loveridge, N. D. Gross-Camp, S. Wongbusarakum, K. K. Sangha, L. M. Scherl, H. Phuong Phan, N. Zafra-Calvo, W. G. Lavey, P. Byakagaba, C. J. Idrobo, A. Chenet, N. J. Bennett, S. Mansourian, and F. J. Rosado[1]May. 2021. ‘The role of Indigenous peoples and local communities in effective and equitable conservation’. Ecology and Society 26 (3):19. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-12625-260319

  • Fischer, A., B. Bednar-Friedl, F. Landers, M. Dobrovodská, N. Geamana, K. Skogen and M. Dumortier. (2011). ‘Universal criteria for species conservation priorities? Findings from a survey of public views across Europe’, Biological Conservation, 144(3) 2011, pp.998–1007.

  • Home, R., C. Keller, P. Nagel, N. Bauer and M. Hunziker. (2009). ‘Selection criteria for flagship species by conservation organizations’, Environmental Conservation 36(2) 2009, pp.139–48.

  • Hunter, M.L. Jr., J.P. Gibbs and V.D. Popescu. (2021). ‘Fundamentals of Conservation Biology’. (John Wiley & Sons., 2021) 4th edition Chapter 11: Protecting ecosystems, pp.280–308

  • Lorimer, J. (2006). ‘Nonhuman charisma: which species trigger our emotions and why?’ ECOS 27: 20–27.

  • The Royal Society. (2003). ‘Measuring biodiversity for conservation’. (2003). Sections 1–3.

  • WWF International. (2008). ‘A road map for a living planet’.