Effectiveness of current and potential conservation actions for amphibians, birds and mammals

Abstract

Abstract Halting and reversing biodiversity loss requires urgent implementation of effective conservation actions. There are global datasets on the implementation of conservation actions for species and the effectiveness of conservation actions. However, these data have never previously been combined to assess whether actions known to be most effective are the ones being implemented or are at least recognised as needed by conservationists and whether additional actions are potentially needed.

To explore this, we used IUCN Red List data on the broad types of conservation actions in place or needed for 24,943 amphibian, bird and mammal species and combined these with assessments of the effectiveness of 1420 specific actions for these species groups from the Conservation Evidence database. For each broad type of conservation action (e.g. land/water management), we compared the percentage of species with each action documented as in place or needed with the percentage of specific actions (e.g. tree planting) that are likely to be effective. We also identified potentially beneficial conservation actions for species with documented threats or small populations.

We found evidence that most broad types of conservation action can be effective. Land/water protection was the most frequently documented in place and needed action, with many species also needing but lacking land/water management. Despite law and policy, compliance and enforcement, and awareness and communication actions being frequently documented, these and other enabling actions have fewer studies of their effectiveness in Conservation Evidence.

Many species of concern may benefit from additional actions beyond those documented, largely to tackle negative impacts of agriculture and biological resource use. Where we lack knowledge of effective approaches, experimental tests and alternative evaluation approaches may be necessary to understand their impact, and practitioner insights may help guide implementation of such actions.

Synthesis and applications: Our study demonstrates the power of combining differently‐sourced and compiled datasets to evaluate the likely effectiveness of ongoing conservation strategies and identify future needs. Our findings can inform species action plans and conservation spatial‐planning tools, helping to ensure that future conservation efforts are evidence‐based, have greater impact and ultimately lead to biodiversity recovery.