Conservation initiatives show improved biodiversity

A meta-study of 186 international studies has stated that conservation initiatives, especially those related to species and ecosystems, have a beneficial effect on biodiversity. The study, published in the journal Science, will serve to design and strengthen future policies.

In fact, despite the many conservation interventions in the world, they are clearly not sufficient to achieve international conservation objectives, such as those set out in the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, the authors of the work they have now published have explained that there were no studies to see what would happen if conservative actions were not taken.

Thus, multiple interventions from around the world have been analysed, two thirds of which have been shown to improve the state of biodiversity or at least slow down the deterioration. In addition, initiatives with the most positive impact on a large scale have been identified: control of invasive species, control of habitat loss and regeneration, protection of areas and sustainable management.

However, the authors warn that it is essential to make more conservation efforts to respond to the biodiversity crisis, for example by expanding actions and increasing funding.