ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Environmental Issues

We now have proof that conservation funding works

We have no reason not to invest in saving the other species in the world.

Elena MotivansbyElena Motivans
October 27, 2017
in Environmental Issues, News, World Problems
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Most of what we hear about the state of biodiversity is bleak—usually more species are severely threatened and going extinct. Perhaps you think that what we do contribute to help the world’s plants and animals does little to help. A study published in Nature has just proved that conservation money in the past 25 years has made a huge difference in saving the world’s biodiversity.

We need to take care of the earth for future generations. Image credits: © kate / Fotolia

Recently, governments and citizens have realized that the other species in the world are in tremendous danger of becoming extinct because of us. The first step towards actions was the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The meeting ultimately led to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the first infusion of global conservation funding. The international research team that led this study found that the 109 countries that signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and that increased their conservation budget accordingly had significantly lower biodiversity loss. Additionally, $14.4 billion in total has been spent on conservation worldwide from 1992 to 2003. This investment had the tremendous impact of reducing global diversity declines by 29%.

“This paper sends a clear, positive message: Conservation funding works,” said senior author John Gittleman, dean of the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia.

The researchers looked at the change in each country’s biodiversity from 1996 to 2008 and targeted conservation funding from 1992 to 2003. The biodiversity loss data was provided by the IUCN, which is responsible for the endangerment status of species. They have been keeping track of the conservation status of species for more than 50 years. The authors then determined how much each country is responsible for one species decline, by looking at the proportion of a species range in a country.

The ranking that species are given to reflect their conservation status. Image credits: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Seven countries are responsible for 60% of the world’s total biodiversity loss: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, China, India, Australia, and the USA. On a more positive note, seven countries have seen their biodiversity improve: Mauritius, Seychelles, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Poland, and the Ukraine.

“The good news is that a lot of biodiversity would be protected for relatively little cost by investments in developing countries with high numbers of species. This model provides a framework we can use to balance human development with maintaining biodiversity, ” said Gittleman.

The main reason for species decline is that humans are taking over habitat and the animals and plants have to make do with less ideal space. Human development was also taken into account as the researchers looked at data on each country’s population growth, economic growth, and agricultural expansion. Development pressure increased species decline, as one would expect, but not in an even way. The country’s size, number of species, and conservation status from the start of the study were all important in determining how development affected biodiversity. Conservation spending was the most effective in countries that are poorer and have more threatened species.

Now that we know that it works, countries don’t have any excuse not to fund conservation research. From this study, we know approximately how much a conservation dollar buys and where in the world it is best spent; policymakers can plan their budgets and goals more accurately. As pressures on the environment increase, spending has to follow suit, in order to make a difference. It is heartening to know that our efforts to save biodiversity are making a real difference.

Journal reference: Anthony Waldron, Daniel C. Miller, Dave Redding, Arne Mooers, Tyler S. Kuhn, Nate Nibbelink, J. Timmons Roberts, Joseph A. Tobias, John L. Gittleman. Reductions in global biodiversity loss predicted from conservation spending. Nature, 2017; DOI: 10.1038/nature24295

RelatedPosts

Nasutoceratops: ‘Big-nose, horn-face’ dinosaur
Alien observers from 1,700 star systems could already be aware that there’s life on Earth
Sex is painful for 1 in 13 women, but no one wants to talk about it
An inflatable habitat module will soon be attached to the ISS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share64TweetShare
Elena Motivans

Elena Motivans

I've always liked the way that words can sound together. Combined with my love for nature (and biology background), I'm interested in diving deep into different topics- in the natural world even the most mundane is fascinating!

Related Posts

Invertebrates

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

byMihai Andrei
23 hours ago
History

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

byMihai Andrei
23 hours ago
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons
Bizarre Stories

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

byMihai Andrei
1 day ago
News

The Strongest Solar Storm Ever Was 500 Times More Powerful Than Anything We’ve Seen in Modern Times. It Left Its Mark in a 14,000-Year-Old Tree

byTibi Puiu
1 day ago

Recent news

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

May 16, 2025

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

May 16, 2025
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

May 16, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.