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Just ten percent of the global terrestrial protected area network is structurally connected via intact land

Author

Listed:
  • Michelle Ward

    (University of Queensland
    The University of Queensland)

  • Santiago Saura

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via E. Fermi 2749
    Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n)

  • Brooke Williams

    (University of Queensland
    The University of Queensland)

  • Juan Pablo Ramírez-Delgado

    (University of Northern British Columbia)

  • Nur Arafeh-Dalmau

    (University of Queensland
    The University of Queensland)

  • James R. Allan

    (The University of Queensland
    University of Amsterdam)

  • Oscar Venter

    (University of Northern British Columbia)

  • Grégoire Dubois

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via E. Fermi 2749)

  • James E. M. Watson

    (University of Queensland
    The University of Queensland
    Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program)

Abstract

Land free of direct anthropogenic disturbance is considered essential for achieving biodiversity conservation outcomes but is rapidly eroding. In response, many nations are increasing their protected area (PA) estates, but little consideration is given to the context of the surrounding landscape. This is despite the fact that structural connectivity between PAs is critical in a changing climate and mandated by international conservation targets. Using a high-resolution assessment of human pressure, we show that while ~40% of the terrestrial planet is intact, only 9.7% of Earth’s terrestrial protected network can be considered structurally connected. On average, 11% of each country or territory’s PA estate can be considered connected. As the global community commits to bolder action on abating biodiversity loss, placement of future PAs will be critical, as will an increased focus on landscape-scale habitat retention and restoration efforts to ensure those important areas set aside for conservation outcomes will remain (or become) connected.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle Ward & Santiago Saura & Brooke Williams & Juan Pablo Ramírez-Delgado & Nur Arafeh-Dalmau & James R. Allan & Oscar Venter & Grégoire Dubois & James E. M. Watson, 2020. "Just ten percent of the global terrestrial protected area network is structurally connected via intact land," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-18457-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18457-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhicong Zhao & Pei Wang & Xiaoshan Wang & Fangyi Wang & Tz-Hsuan Tseng & Yue Cao & Shuyu Hou & Jiayuan Peng & Rui Yang, 2022. "A Protected Area Connectivity Evaluation and Strategy Development Framework for Post-2020 Biodiversity Conservation," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Patrick José Jeetze & Isabelle Weindl & Justin Andrew Johnson & Pasquale Borrelli & Panos Panagos & Edna J. Molina Bacca & Kristine Karstens & Florian Humpenöder & Jan Philipp Dietrich & Sara Minoli &, 2023. "Projected landscape-scale repercussions of global action for climate and biodiversity protection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Weerasena, Lakmali & Shier, Douglas & Tonkyn, David & McFeaters, Mark & Collins, Christopher, 2023. "A sequential approach to reserve design with compactness and contiguity considerations," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 478(C).
    4. Kubacka, Marta & Żywica, Patryk & Vila Subirós, Josep & Bródka, Sylwia & Macias, Andrzej, 2022. "How do the surrounding areas of national parks work in the context of landscape fragmentation? A case study of 159 protected areas selected in 11 EU countries," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    5. Ziqi Meng & Jinwei Dong & Erle C. Ellis & Graciela Metternicht & Yuanwei Qin & Xiao-Peng Song & Sara Löfqvist & Rachael D. Garrett & Xiaopeng Jia & Xiangming Xiao, 2023. "Post-2020 biodiversity framework challenged by cropland expansion in protected areas," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(7), pages 758-768, July.
    6. Per Angelstam & Michael Manton, 2021. "Effects of Forestry Intensification and Conservation on Green Infrastructures: A Spatio-Temporal Evaluation in Sweden," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-29, May.
    7. Daniel Richards & Thomas R. Etherington & Alexander Herzig & Sandra Lavorel, 2024. "The Importance of Spatial Configuration When Restoring Intensive Production Landscapes for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Multifunctionality," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, April.
    8. Tomscha, Stephanie & Jackson, Bethanna & Benavidez, Rubianca & de Róiste, Mairéad & Hartley, Stephen & Deslippe, Julie, 2023. "A multiscale perspective on how much wetland restoration is needed to achieve targets for ecosystem services," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    9. Jon Geir Petursson & Dadi Mar Kristofersson, 2021. "Co-Management of Protected Areas: A Governance System Analysis of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, June.

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