• Private protected areas help conserve ov

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Thu Apr 7 22:30:42 2022
    Private protected areas help conserve overlooked and threatened regions


    Date:
    April 7, 2022
    Source:
    University of Leeds
    Summary:
    New research shows that private protected areas help conserve
    underrepresented biomes and highly threatened regions. Researchers
    have assessed 17,561 privately protected areas in 15 countries
    across five continents. Their findings reveal that compared to
    state protected areas, PPAs are twice as likely to be in areas
    with the greatest human disturbance, such as regions used for
    agriculture and mining. They are three times more likely to be
    in biomes with almost no established conservation reserves and
    protect 1.2% of key biodiversity areas.



    FULL STORY ==========================================================================
    New research shows that private protected areas help conserve
    underrepresented biomes and highly threatened regions.


    ==========================================================================
    A privately protected area (PPA) is a privately managed portion of land
    set aside to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. PPAs can be set up
    by a number of different entities such as individuals, community groups, corporations or NGOs -- this is different to most standard protected areas (PAs) which are managed and maintained by state and government entities.

    PPAs are increasing in number and extent but until now very little was
    known about the scale of their conservation contribution.

    Now, researchers from the Universities of Leeds and Manchester have
    assessed 17,561 privately protected areas in 15 countries across five continents.

    Their findings, published today in Nature Ecology and Evolution, reveal
    that compared to state protected areas, PPAs are twice as likely to
    be in areas with the greatest human disturbance, such as regions used
    for agriculture and mining. They are three times more likely to be in
    biomes with almost no established conservation reserves and protect 1.2%
    of key biodiversity areas.

    According to the study, the largest one to date, PPAs account for 3.4%
    of land under protection. PPAs also increase the connectivity between
    conserved areas by over 7%. Connectivity is incredibly important as
    it helps prevent genetic bottlenecks, allowing for easier dispersal of
    seeds and animal migration.



    ==========================================================================
    Lead author Rachel Palfrey, a PhD researcher in School of Earth and
    Environment at Leeds, said: "Our study shows that privately protected
    areas can make unique and very real contributions to the conservation
    estate. They deserve more attention, recognition and resources for better design and implementation.

    "By recognising their role in conservation efforts, more can be done to
    co- ordinate the establishment of privately protected areas and maximise
    their benefits.

    "State governed protected areas dominate conservation strategies in most countries but government action alone will be insufficient to reach global conservation targets and help safeguard against devastating biodiversity
    loss." Scientists have warned that human activities are driving a mass extinction of life on the planet and widespread biodiversity loss could
    lead to a global ecosystem collapse.

    Conservation efforts will be a key topic at the upcoming UN biodiversity Conference in May 2022. Often referred to as the "Biodiversity COP,"
    the conference will see the adoption of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The framework provides a strategic vision and a global roadmap
    for the conservation, protection, restoration and sustainable management
    of biodiversity and ecosystems for the next decade.



    ==========================================================================
    The study helps further the understanding of how PPAs could help us
    develop a stronger network of protected areas.

    Dr Johan Oldekop, Senior Lecturer in Environment and Development from
    the Global Development Institute at Manchester, said: "The current global network of protected areas underrepresents key species and ecosystems. It
    lacks connectivity and does not adequately protect areas of high wildlife
    and biodiversity importance.

    "Privately protected areas are not the silver bullet for conservation
    efforts, but they are clearly an important part of the picture.

    "This study highlights the importance of using all available resources
    and interests to establish vitally important protected portions
    of land. Greater legislative, technical and financial support for
    privately protected areas could help facilitate their establishment
    and also strengthen legal frameworks for other forms of conservation,
    including indigenous reserves and community conserved areas." In 2021 a coalition of more than 50 countries committed to protect nearly a third
    of the planet by 2030 in an effort to slow the extinctions of wildlife.

    Currently, terrestrial protected areas cover approximately 16% of
    the world's land mass. However, the study warns that these PAs are disproportionately created in higher and steeper areas that have lower agricultural and economic potential. It cautions that at the current
    rate PAs are established, conservation goals are unlikely to be met.

    The authors stress the need for more research into the spatial
    contributions of privately protected areas around the world to help
    support their inclusion in national conservation strategies.

    Dr George Holmes, associate professor of conservation and society at
    Leeds, said: "Further research in needed to examine the underlying
    factors and governance structures that influence the landscape choices
    of privately protected areas.

    "Future analyses should include efforts to better understand the role
    of different stakeholders, such as private landowners and land trusts,
    and their motivations for the establishment of privately protected areas,
    as well as assessments of national policies and incentives that support privately protected areas."

    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Leeds. Note: Content
    may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Rachel Palfrey, Johan A. Oldekop, George Holmes. Privately protected
    areas increase global protected area coverage and
    connectivity. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2022; DOI:
    10.1038/s41559-022-01715-0 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220407141854.htm

    --- up 5 weeks, 3 days, 10 hours, 50 minutes
    * Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)