Breaking the Conservation Barrier: Study Shows Effective Results in Stopping Biodiversity Loss Worldwide

The study conducted by BirdLife International scientists and published in Science has shown that conservation actions are effective in stopping and even reversing biodiversity loss. This is a groundbreaking finding that challenges the notion that conservation has faced its own challenges in gaining acceptance and integration into societies, economies, and values.

The study examined global conservation efforts from various regions such as the islands of Florida to the forests of the Amazon and Congo basin, as well as the rivers of the Asian plateaus. Unlike previous studies that focused on individual conservation projects, this meta-analysis analyzed 186 studies and 665 trials over more than a century. It evaluated a wide range of conservation interventions around the world.

The results showed that in a majority (66%) of cases compared to no action being taken, conservation actions have led to improvements in biodiversity or at least slowed its decline. The study also revealed that when conservation interventions are successful, they are highly effective. These interventions included measures such as establishing and managing protected areas, eradicating and controlling invasive species, sustainably managing ecosystems, and reducing and restoring habitat loss. Overall, this study provides evidence for the effectiveness of conservation actions in protecting biodiversity globally.