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

Michelle Ward (), Santiago Saura, Brooke Williams, Juan Pablo Ramírez-Delgado, Nur Arafeh-Dalmau, James R. Allan, Oscar Venter, Grégoire Dubois and James E. M. Watson
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Michelle Ward: University of Queensland
Santiago Saura: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via E. Fermi 2749
Brooke Williams: University of Queensland
Juan Pablo Ramírez-Delgado: University of Northern British Columbia
Nur Arafeh-Dalmau: University of Queensland
James R. Allan: The University of Queensland
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

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18457-x

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