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Targeted Conservation Efforts Help Restore Crashing Biodiversity

Conservation efforts have been successful in improving the status of over 100 species, a new study suggests, offering hope for reversing the alarming rate of biodiversity loss.

A review by Ashley T. Simkins and colleagues from University of Cambridge, BirdLife International, Oxford University, Durham University, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) analyzed existing data on conservation actions and their impact on species decline or improvement.

The researchers found that targeted conservation efforts have driven improvements in species status, with almost all species improving when conservation actions are in place. This emphasizes the importance of preventative conservation measures to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

Simkins notes, “We need to move beyond treating the symptoms of biodiversity loss and start addressing the root causes.” Habitat destruction, hunting, persecution, and climate change are among the major drivers of extinction risk and species decline.

The study highlights local, community-driven approaches as a crucial element in conservation success stories. For instance, in Papua New Guinea, conservation biologists worked with local communities to replace hunting wild tree kangaroos with sustainable animal protein sources like farming chickens and fishing.

Conservationists must work collaboratively with stakeholders, including indigenous communities and farmers, to find mutually beneficial solutions that balance human needs with wildlife preservation.

While the study’s findings offer a glimmer of hope, it also underscores the need for increased funding to scale up conservation efforts and address the root causes of species decline.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2025/03/27/targeted-conservation-efforts-help-restore-crashing-biodiversity/