A new study co-authored by BirdLife International scientists and published in the journal Science has shown that conservation actions can effectively halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The groundbreaking research looked at conservation efforts around the world, including islands, forests, rivers, and plateaus, to evaluate the impact of conservation projects on biodiversity.
The study compiled data from 186 studies and 665 trials, making it the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind. Results showed that conservation actions were successful in improving the state of biodiversity or slowing its decline in 66% of cases compared to no action being taken. The study also found that when interventions were effective, they were highly successful in achieving positive outcomes.
A wide range of conservation interventions were evaluated, including protected areas, invasive species control, ecosystem management, and habitat restoration. The study covered more than a century of conservation efforts and highlighted the effectiveness of conservation actions in protecting and preserving biodiversity.
Despite challenges faced by conservation in becoming widely accepted and integrated into society, this new study provides hope that effective conservation actions can make a difference in halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
