Newswise — HOUSTON – (June 26, 2023) –If the 30 by 30 initiative receives support from over 100 countries and achieves its goals by 2030, it will designate protected areas across 30% of our land and ocean ecosystems. These areas will serve as crucial sanctuaries for biodiversity, aiming to mitigate the effects of climate change.
However, a study by Rice University ecologist Lydia Beaudrot and collaborators reports for the first time that tropical mammals living inside protected areas are not spared the effects of human activity even when it occurs outside of the protected boundaries.
Drawing on the most extensive camera-trap wildlife survey conducted to date, this research offers valuable insights into the effects of human-induced pressures on 159 mammal species across 16 protected areas in three biogeographic regions. By examining factors such as human population density and habitat fragmentation, the study, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, has the potential to guide decision-making in biodiversity policies for participants of the 30 by 30 initiative.
The data set used in this study was compiled from millions of images gathered over several years, originating from over 1,000 camera-trap sites. This extensive collection of data was made possible through a collaborative effort among research stations affiliated with Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Smithsonian Institution. These organizations worked together to establish a standardized data-collection protocol, ensuring consistency across the network of research stations involved.
Beaudrot, an assistant professor of biosciences, expressed admiration for the remarkable nature of this data set, describing it as an unprecedented and monumental undertaking.
According to the study's findings, specialist species, which rely on specific habitats, tend to flourish in environments with minimal habitat fragmentation. They are also more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of human activities such as hunting and land use compared to generalist species, which can adapt to a wider range of habitats. As a result, a white-bellied pangolin residing in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park would benefit from moving closer to the park's center. Specialists generally have a higher likelihood of thriving further away from the edges of protected areas.
Asunción Semper-Pascual, the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at the Norwegian University for Life Sciences, explained that habitats at the edges of protected areas offer greater diversity. This variation often includes a contrast between forested areas and open landscapes, such as agricultural regions. In such diverse environments, certain generalist species thrive by taking advantage of the range of available resources.
Generalist species, like the tayra, which is a medium-sized omnivore belonging to the weasel family, can thrive in various habitats including forested areas, grasslands, and croplands. However, the study highlights that for these generalist species to thrive near the edges of protected areas, it is crucial for human population density in those areas to be low.
By comprehending how individual species react to various human-induced pressures, we can establish conservation priorities and effectively manage protected areas. This understanding allows for localized efforts to concentrate on the most vulnerable species within a particular region. Additionally, it provides valuable insights on how landscape-scale factors influence biodiversity beyond the boundaries of protected areas, thus aiding global conservation strategies.
Beaudrot emphasized the importance of adopting a holistic approach to conservation. According to her, the most effective conservation efforts occur when they are tailored to specific contexts and developed collaboratively with local communities. This approach aims to create mutually beneficial outcomes for both people and wildlife, establishing win-win situations that foster sustainable conservation practices.
Semper-Pascual emphasized the need for thoughtful consideration of the factors that impact biodiversity, both inside and outside protected areas, as more of these areas are established. This recognition underscores the importance of understanding the broader ecological context and the interconnectedness of various factors in order to effectively safeguard biodiversity.
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