TARGETED CONSERVATION EFFORTS: ENVIRONMENT
NEWS: Targeted conservation efforts pulled hundreds of species back from the brink, study finds
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
A global study revealed that targeted conservation efforts have successfully prevented the extinction of several species, including the Iberian lynx and kākāpō parrot. However, biodiversity continues to decline, with many species threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species, highlighting the need for more coordinated conservation action.
Introduction to the Study on Animal Species Conservation
• Global Biodiversity Crisis:
A major global study has revealed that despite the ongoing biodiversity crisis, targeted conservation efforts have helped several animal species avoid extinction and, in some cases, reverse their decline.
• Study Scope:
The study analyzed data from over 67,000 animal species and found that species-specific conservation measures significantly reduced extinction risks and, in many cases, completely prevented extinctions.
• Publication:
The study was published in PLOS Biology on March 18, 2025, and was conducted by scientists from the University of Cambridge, IUCN, BirdLife International, and other leading universities.
Key Success Stories of Conservation Efforts
• Iberian Lynx:
• Once considered the most endangered wild cat, the Iberian lynx has seen a remarkable recovery from just a few hundred individuals to several thousand, thanks to conservation actions.
• Kākāpō Parrot:
• The kākāpō, a critically endangered, flightless parrot from New Zealand, benefitted from a long-running recovery program, leading to an increase in its population.
• European Bison:
• After being hunted to extinction in the wild in the early 20th century, the European bison now roams free in parts of eastern Europe, thanks to decades of reintroduction efforts.
• Marine Species Recovery:
• Humpback whales and blue whales, once severely depleted due to commercial whaling, have made a strong recovery following the international moratorium on whaling.
Conservation Efforts Leading to Recovery
• Effectiveness of Targeted Actions:
• The study found that almost all species that moved from a more threatened category to a less threatened category benefitted from targeted conservation measures such as habitat management, reintroductions, legal protections, and breeding programs.
• Statistics of Improvement:
• Among the 969 species with increasing populations, 78.3% had conservation actions implemented.
• Of the 288 species whose Red List category improved since 1980, an overwhelming 99.3% benefitted from conservation efforts.
Island Ecosystems as Hotspots for Recovery
• Notable Recovery Locations:
• Island ecosystems have been identified as hotspots for recovery, with the highest number of improving species found in:
New Zealand
Mauritius
Seychelles
Chatham Island
Guadeloupe
Borneo
• Other regions showing improvement include parts of the eastern United States, Costa Rica, eastern Australia, southern India, and Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
Ongoing Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation
• Contradictory Findings:
• While targeted conservation efforts have been successful in many cases, the study also pointed to the continuing decline of biodiversity.
• For every species that improved, nearly six species deteriorated. Since 1980, 1,220 species of amphibians, birds, and mammals suffered net declines in their Red List status, compared to only 201 species that improved.
• Key Species in Decline:
• Species threatened by habitat destruction, hunting, fishing, and pollution were far more likely to be in decline.
• Climate change, disease, and invasive species have contributed to the deterioration of species statuses.
• Some species threatened by climate change or invasive species showed population increases, highlighting the complex and sometimes contradictory effects of various threats and conservation responses.
Regions with Declining Species
• High-Concentration Decline Areas:
• Regions with the highest concentrations of declining species include:
Tropical Andes
Peninsula Malaysia
Sumatra
Borneo
Southern Europe
Central Asia
Parts of southeastern Australia
Conclusion: Need for More Ambitious and Coordinated Efforts
• Success of Conservation:
• The study emphasizes that targeted conservation efforts have proven effective in preventing extinctions and improving the status of several species, offering hope for future conservation.
• Call for Greater Efforts:
• Despite successes, the study highlights that far more ambitious and coordinated efforts are necessary to reverse the ongoing biodiversity loss.
• To meet Goal A of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to restore species populations to resilient levels and reduce extinction risks, substantial scaling-up of conservation interventions is required.
Key Takeaways
• Targeted conservation has led to significant recoveries for many species, including the Iberian lynx, kākāpō parrot, and European bison.
• Marine species have also shown strong recoveries, particularly whales post-whaling moratorium.
• Despite these successes, many species continue to decline due to habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and other factors.
• Island ecosystems have emerged as critical recovery hotspots, while the study calls for scaling up efforts to restore biodiversity globally and reduce extinction risks.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/targeted-conservation-efforts-pulled-hundreds-of-species-back-from-the-brink-study-finds