Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve No Net Loss goals

Laura J. Sonter (), Jeremy S. Simmonds, James E. M. Watson, Julia P. G. Jones, Joseph M. Kiesecker, Hugo M. Costa, Leon Bennun, Stephen Edwards, Hedley S. Grantham, Victoria F. Griffiths, Kendall Jones, Kei Sochi, Philippe Puydarrieux, Fabien Quétier, Helga Rainer, Hugo Rainey, Dilys Roe, Musnanda Satar, Britaldo S. Soares-Filho, Malcolm Starkey, Kerry ten Kate, Ray Victurine, Amrei von Hase, Jessie A. Wells and Martine Maron ()
Additional contact information
Laura J. Sonter: The University of Queensland
Jeremy S. Simmonds: The University of Queensland
James E. M. Watson: The University of Queensland
Julia P. G. Jones: College of Engineering and Environmental Science, Bangor University
Joseph M. Kiesecker: The Nature Conservancy
Hugo M. Costa: Global Conservation Program
Leon Bennun: 3E King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ, UK and Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Stephen Edwards: International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Hedley S. Grantham: Global Conservation Program
Victoria F. Griffiths: University of Oxford, Zoology Research and Administration Building
Kendall Jones: Global Conservation Program
Kei Sochi: The Nature Conservancy
Philippe Puydarrieux: International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Fabien Quétier: Biotope, 22 Boulevard Maréchal Foch
Helga Rainer: Arcus Foundation, CB1 Business Centre, Leda House
Hugo Rainey: Global Conservation Program
Dilys Roe: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
Musnanda Satar: Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara
Britaldo S. Soares-Filho: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Malcolm Starkey: 3E King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ, UK and Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Kerry ten Kate: Forest Trends
Ray Victurine: Global Conservation Program
Amrei von Hase: Forest Trends
Jessie A. Wells: The University of Queensland
Martine Maron: The University of Queensland

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

Abstract: Abstract Many nations use ecological compensation policies to address negative impacts of development projects and achieve No Net Loss (NNL) of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet, failures are widely reported. We use spatial simulation models to quantify potential net impacts of alternative compensation policies on biodiversity (indicated by native vegetation) and two ecosystem services (carbon storage, sediment retention) across four case studies (in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Mozambique). No policy achieves NNL of biodiversity in any case study. Two factors limit their potential success: the land available for compensation (existing vegetation to protect or cleared land to restore), and expected counterfactual biodiversity losses (unregulated vegetation clearing). Compensation also fails to slow regional biodiversity declines because policies regulate only a subset of sectors, and expanding policy scope requires more land than is available for compensation activities. Avoidance of impacts remains essential in achieving NNL goals, particularly once opportunities for compensation are exhausted.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15861-1

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