Protected area personnel and ranger numbers are insufficient to deliver global expectations

Michael R. Appleton (), Alexandre Courtiol, Lucy Emerton, James L. Slade, Andrew Tilker, Lauren C. Warr, Mónica Álvarez Malvido, James R. Barborak, Louise Bruin, Rosalie Chapple, Jennifer C. Daltry, Nina P. Hadley, Christopher A. Jordan, François Rousset, Rohit Singh, Eleanor J. Sterling, Erin G. Wessling and Barney Long
Additional contact information
Michael R. Appleton: Re:wild
Alexandre Courtiol: Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
Lucy Emerton: Environment Management Group
James L. Slade: Re:wild
Andrew Tilker: Re:wild
Lauren C. Warr: Re:wild
Mónica Álvarez Malvido: International Ranger Federation
James R. Barborak: Colorado State University
Louise Bruin: Game Rangers Association of Africa
Rosalie Chapple: Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute
Jennifer C. Daltry: Re:wild
Nina P. Hadley: Re:wild
Christopher A. Jordan: Re:wild
François Rousset: University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD
Rohit Singh: World Wildlife Fund
Eleanor J. Sterling: University of Hawaii
Erin G. Wessling: Harvard University
Barney Long: Re:wild

Nature Sustainability, 2022, vol. 5, issue 12, 1100-1110

Abstract: Abstract The 2020 global spatial targets for protected areas set by the Convention on Biological Diversity have almost been achieved, but management effectiveness remains deficient. Personnel shortages are widely cited as major contributing factors but have not previously been quantified. Using data from 176 countries and territories, we estimate a current maximum of 555,000 terrestrial protected area personnel worldwide (one per 37 km2), including 286,000 rangers (one per 72 km2), far short of published guidance on required densities. Expansion by 2030 to 30% coverage of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures is widely agreed as a minimum for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services. We project that effective management of this expanded system will require approximately 3 million personnel (one per 13 km2), including more than 1.5 million rangers or equivalents (one per 26 km2). Parallel improvements in resourcing, working conditions and capacity are required for effective, equitable and sustainable management.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00970-0

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