In a noteworthy stride toward conservation, scientists have pinpointed vital areas that, if protected, could avert the extinction of thousands of species across the globe. This compelling new research, published in Frontiers in Science, maps out a plan that zeroes in on the most threatened biodiversity hotspots - regions that still remain outside the umbrella of current conservation efforts.
The study, a collaborative effort between conservationists and academics, lays out a strategy that would safeguard over 4,700 species teetering on the brink of annihilation. These species span a range of taxa, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and plants. Eric Dinerstein, director of Biodiversity and Wildlife Solutions at RESOLVE, shed light on the findings, noting, "Most species on Earth are rare, meaning that species either have very narrow ranges or they occur at very low densities or both." He added that a mere 1.2% of the Earth's surface could be the buffer against a looming mass extinction event, according to the University of Minnesota's report.
Researchers have identified 16,825 sites, spanning roughly 164 million hectares that, if conserved, could halt the projected creature casualty. Astonishingly, over 80% of these critical areas are contained within just 30 countries, with the Philippines and Brazil hosting a combined one-third of all the pivotal sites. The tropics, in particular, hold the lion’s share of these regions, implying that focusing conservation efforts there could mean the difference between survival and extinction for countless species.
The estimated budget for this massive undertaking is about $34 billion over the next five years — a sum that seems large at face value but pales in comparison to global GDP figures. For perspective, this annual cost is less than 0.2% of the current U.S. GDP. The plan's financial blueprint was crafted using intricate models based on extensive, over a decade-long, project cost data taking into account the economic environments of the countries in question. These forecasts are not set in stone; project stakeholders including Indigenous peoples, local governments, and businesses have the flexibility to tailor the approach to their local contexts and resources.
Sparking hopes that the information presented in this study will stimulate action, Anup Joshi, a research associate with the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), conveyed, "Global climate change and species extinctions are twin crises our generation is facing and we are all in it as we have only one Earth." Joshi believes that the data can anchor regional and national conservation conversations and endeavors. The next step for the researchers is to collaborate with local experts in the top ten countries to create targeted conservation strategies.
CFANS, known for its commitment to addressing the world's critical challenges through science and education, continues its tradition of interdisciplinary scholarship with this novel study. It seeks not only to safeguard the environment but also to provide vital experiential learning opportunities to its students and the wider community, promoting a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between human activity and natural systems.
