{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1","title":"BirdLife DataZone","description":"BirdLife's Data Zone presents a wealth of scientific data on the world's bird species and the sites critical to their conservation","home_page_url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org","feed_url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/feed.json","language":"en","items":[{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009zimbabweibamonitoringreportp1pdf","title":"Important Bird Areas in Zimbabwe. Status and Trends 2009","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009zimbabweibamonitoringreportp1pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:43:00Z","content_text":"The project “Instituting effective\nmonitoring of Protected Areas (IBAs) as\na contribution to reducing the rate of\nbiodiversity loss in Africa” produced a\nreport on the Status and Trends of IBAs\nin Zimbabwe in 2008. The 2001 baseline\ndata and the 2008 monitoring findings\nare the basis for comparison and trend\nanalyses. BirdLife Zimbabwe, as the\ncurrent data repository, has an obligation\nto provide feedback on the monitoring\nfindings of each year. This report gives\na valuable insight into the issues that\nsurround IBA monitoring in Zimbabwe.\nThe recommendations contained\nin this report provide broad-based\nconservation solutions that need to be\nintegrated with already existing PAs\nconservation programmes.\nThe overall condition of IBAs/PAs in\n2009 was near-favourable. The pressure\nfacing the IBAs was medium and\nconservation response was medium. The\nmean scores for the state, pressure and\nresponse in IBAs/PAs were 1.6(±0.20),\n1.6(±0.15) and 2.2(±0.12) respectively.\nOf the eleven protected IBAs that were\nassessed, only one IBA was in good\ncondition. Five IBAs were in nearfavourable condition and five IBAs were\nin unfavourable condition. Seven IBAs\nwere facing high pressure whilst four\nIBAs were facing medium pressure. ","summary":"The project “Instituting effective\nmonitoring of Protected Areas (IBAs) as\na contribution to reducing the rate of\nbiodiversity loss in Africa” produced a\nreport on the Status and Trends of IBAs\nin Zimbabwe in 2008. The 2001 baseline\ndata and the 2008 monitoring findings\nare the basis for comparison and trend\nanalyses. BirdLife Zimbabwe, as the\ncurrent data repository, has an obligation\nto provide feedback on the monitoring\nfindings of each year. This report gives\na valuable insight into the issues that\nsurround IBA monitoring in Zimbabwe.\nThe recommendations contained\nin this report provide broad-based\nconservation solutions that need to be\nintegrated with already existing PAs\nconservation programmes.\nThe overall condition of IBAs/PAs in\n2009 was near-favourable. The pressure\nfacing the IBAs was medium and\nconservation response was medium. The\nmean scores for the state, pressure and\nresponse in IBAs/PAs were 1.6(±0.20),\n1.6(±0.15) and 2.2(±0.12) respectively.\nOf the eleven protected IBAs that were\nassessed, only one IBA was in good\ncondition. Five IBAs were in nearfavourable condition and five IBAs were\nin unfavourable condition. Seven IBAs\nwere facing high pressure whilst four\nIBAs were facing medium pressure. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwscienceorg/doi/101126/science1187512","title":"Global Biodiversity: Indicators of Recent Declines","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwscienceorg/doi/101126/science1187512","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:40:31Z","content_text":"In 2002, world leaders committed, through the Convention on Biological Diversity, to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. We compiled 31 indicators to report on progress toward this target. Most indicators of the state of biodiversity (covering species’ population trends, extinction risk, habitat extent and condition, and community composition) showed declines, with no significant recent reductions in rate, whereas indicators of pressures on biodiversity (including resource consumption, invasive alien species, nitrogen pollution, overexploitation, and climate change impacts) showed increases. Despite some local successes and increasing responses (including extent and biodiversity coverage of protected areas, sustainable forest management, policy responses to invasive alien species, and biodiversity-related aid), the rate of biodiversity loss does not appear to be slowing.","summary":"In 2002, world leaders committed, through the Convention on Biological Diversity, to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. We compiled 31 indicators to report on progress toward this target. Most indicators of the state of biodiversity (covering species’ population trends, extinction risk, habitat extent and condition, and community composition) showed declines, with no significant recent reductions in rate, whereas indicators of pressures on biodiversity (including resource consumption, invasive alien species, nitrogen pollution, overexploitation, and climate change impacts) showed increases. Despite some local successes and increasing responses (including extent and biodiversity coverage of protected areas, sustainable forest management, policy responses to invasive alien species, and biodiversity-related aid), the rate of biodiversity loss does not appear to be slowing."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-indicators-of-biological-invasion-species-numbers-biodiversity-impact-and-policy-responses","title":"Global indicators of biological invasion: species numbers, biodiversity impact and policy responses.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-indicators-of-biological-invasion-species-numbers-biodiversity-impact-and-policy-responses","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:39:00Z","content_text":"Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a significant threat to biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2010 Biodiversity Target, and the associated indicator for IAS, has stimulated globally coordinated efforts to quantify patterns in the extent of biological invasion, its impact on biodiversity and policy responses. Here, we report on the outcome of indicators of alien invasion at a global scale. We developed four indicators in a pressure-state-response framework, i.e. number of documented IAS (pressure), trends in the impact of IAS on biodiversity (state) and trends in international agreements and national policy adoption relevant to reducing IAS threats to biodiversity (response). These measures were considered best suited to providing globally representative, standardized and sustainable indicators by 2010.","summary":"Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a significant threat to biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2010 Biodiversity Target, and the associated indicator for IAS, has stimulated globally coordinated efforts to quantify patterns in the extent of biological invasion, its impact on biodiversity and policy responses. Here, we report on the outcome of indicators of alien invasion at a global scale. We developed four indicators in a pressure-state-response framework, i.e. number of documented IAS (pressure), trends in the impact of IAS on biodiversity (state) and trends in international agreements and national policy adoption relevant to reducing IAS threats to biodiversity (response). These measures were considered best suited to providing globally representative, standardized and sustainable indicators by 2010."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/international-importance-of-extremadura-spain-for-overwintering-migratory-dabbling-ducks-a-role-for-reservoirs/886c02d05270f9739f1c21fc21e7fc2d","title":"International importance of Extremadura, Spain, for overwintering migratory dabbling ducks: a role for reservoirs","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/international-importance-of-extremadura-spain-for-overwintering-migratory-dabbling-ducks-a-role-for-reservoirs/886c02d05270f9739f1c21fc21e7fc2d","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:37:02Z","content_text":"Many migratory waterbird populations are in decline and loss of natural wetlands is one of the main causes. However, some species may respond positively to artificial wetland recreation. In Extremadura (south-west Europe), several large reservoirs were created for irrigation since the 1960s and some comparatively small reservoirs were built from the late 1990s onwards close to rice fields. Here we analyse the abundance of wintering dabbling ducks (Anas spp.) in Extremadura before (1991–1994) and after (2007–2010) the creation of these new reservoirs in order to address the current importance of the area for this guild within the East Atlantic Flyway (EAF). A mean of 25,277 dabbling ducks wintered in the study area during 1991–1994, increasing to 46,163 individuals during 2007–2010. After controlling for environmental variables, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal A. crecca and Northern Shoveler A. clypeata experienced significant increases in the area between both periods, and only Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope suffered a significant decrease.","summary":"Many migratory waterbird populations are in decline and loss of natural wetlands is one of the main causes. However, some species may respond positively to artificial wetland recreation. In Extremadura (south-west Europe), several large reservoirs were created for irrigation since the 1960s and some comparatively small reservoirs were built from the late 1990s onwards close to rice fields. Here we analyse the abundance of wintering dabbling ducks (Anas spp.) in Extremadura before (1991–1994) and after (2007–2010) the creation of these new reservoirs in order to address the current importance of the area for this guild within the East Atlantic Flyway (EAF). A mean of 25,277 dabbling ducks wintered in the study area during 1991–1994, increasing to 46,163 individuals during 2007–2010. After controlling for environmental variables, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal A. crecca and Northern Shoveler A. clypeata experienced significant increases in the area between both periods, and only Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope suffered a significant decrease."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/onlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101002/aqc2638","title":"Achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 to improve the performance of protected areas and conserve freshwater biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/onlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101002/aqc2638","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:35:10Z","content_text":"he Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011–2020), adopted at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, sets 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets to be met by 2020 to address biodiversity loss and ensure its sustainable and equitable use. Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 describes what an improved conservation network would look like for marine, terrestrial and inland water areas, including freshwater ecosystems.\nTo date, there is no comprehensive assessment of what needs to be achieved to meet Target 11 for freshwater biodiversity. Reports on implementation often fail to consider explicitly freshwater ecosystem processes and habitats, the pressures upon them, and therefore the full range of requirements and actions needed to sustain them.","summary":"he Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011–2020), adopted at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, sets 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets to be met by 2020 to address biodiversity loss and ensure its sustainable and equitable use. Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 describes what an improved conservation network would look like for marine, terrestrial and inland water areas, including freshwater ecosystems.\nTo date, there is no comprehensive assessment of what needs to be achieved to meet Target 11 for freshwater biodiversity. Reports on implementation often fail to consider explicitly freshwater ecosystem processes and habitats, the pressures upon them, and therefore the full range of requirements and actions needed to sustain them."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/onlinelibrarywileycom/doi/101111/ddi13041","title":"Evaluating the effectiveness of a large multi-use MPA in protecting Key Biodiversity Areas for marine predators","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/onlinelibrarywileycom/doi/101111/ddi13041","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:31:05Z","content_text":"Marine protected areas can serve to regulate harvesting and conserve biodiversity. Within large multi-use MPAs, it is often unclear to what degree critical sites of biodiversity are afforded protection against commercial activities. Addressing this issue is a prerequisite if we are to appropriately assess sites against conservation targets. We evaluated whether the management regime of a large MPA conserved sites (Key Biodiversity Areas, KBAs) supporting the global persistence of top marine predators.","summary":"Marine protected areas can serve to regulate harvesting and conserve biodiversity. Within large multi-use MPAs, it is often unclear to what degree critical sites of biodiversity are afforded protection against commercial activities. Addressing this issue is a prerequisite if we are to appropriately assess sites against conservation targets. We evaluated whether the management regime of a large MPA conserved sites (Key Biodiversity Areas, KBAs) supporting the global persistence of top marine predators."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/progressing-delineations-of-key-biodiversity-areas-for-seabirds-and-their-application-to-management-of-coastal-seas","title":"Progressing delineations of key biodiversity areas for seabirds, and their application to management of coastal seas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/progressing-delineations-of-key-biodiversity-areas-for-seabirds-and-their-application-to-management-of-coastal-seas","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:27:43Z","content_text":"Decision-making products that support effective marine spatial planning are essential for guiding efforts that enable conservation of biodiversity facing increasing pressures. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are a product recently agreed upon by an international network of organizations for identifying globally important areas. Utilizing the KBA framework, and by developing a conservative protocol to identify sites, we identify globally importants places for breeding seabirds throughout the coastal seas of a national territory. ","summary":"Decision-making products that support effective marine spatial planning are essential for guiding efforts that enable conservation of biodiversity facing increasing pressures. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are a product recently agreed upon by an international network of organizations for identifying globally important areas. Utilizing the KBA framework, and by developing a conservative protocol to identify sites, we identify globally importants places for breeding seabirds throughout the coastal seas of a national territory. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2004kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2004","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2004kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:24:03Z","content_text":"Important Bird Areas are sites that are important\nfor the conservation of birds and other\nbiodiversity, on an international scale. Most of\nKenya’s existing protected areas were not chosen to\nconserve biodiversity, but because (i) they were\nsuitable for hunting or photographing large mammals,\nor (ii) at the time, few, if any, people wanted to live\nthere, or (iii) they protected a water catchment and\ncontained valuable timber. There is no reason why\nsites selected this way should be expected to conserve\nall threatened biodiversity.\nTo select the most important sites to conserve plant\nand animal species, the Birdlife International\nPartnership used information about birds to develop\nand apply quantitative, objective, scientifically\ndefensible and internationally accepted criteria","summary":"Important Bird Areas are sites that are important\nfor the conservation of birds and other\nbiodiversity, on an international scale. Most of\nKenya’s existing protected areas were not chosen to\nconserve biodiversity, but because (i) they were\nsuitable for hunting or photographing large mammals,\nor (ii) at the time, few, if any, people wanted to live\nthere, or (iii) they protected a water catchment and\ncontained valuable timber. There is no reason why\nsites selected this way should be expected to conserve\nall threatened biodiversity.\nTo select the most important sites to conserve plant\nand animal species, the Birdlife International\nPartnership used information about birds to develop\nand apply quantitative, objective, scientifically\ndefensible and internationally accepted criteria"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2006kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2005","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2006kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:22:17Z","content_text":"Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites important for\nthe conservation of birds at the global, regional or sub regional level. IBAs are selected because they hold:\n(a) bird species that are threatened with extinction;\n(b) bird species with highly restricted distributions;\n(c) groups of bird species characteristic of a\nparticular biome; and/or\n(d) exceptionally large gatherings, or\ncongregations, of bird species.\n To identify the 60 IBAs in Kenya, Nature Kenya(the BirdLife International Partner in Kenya) and the National Museums of Kenya gathered information about birds countrywide. They then applied the BirdLife’s internationally agreed, objective, quantitative and scientific criteria, listed above. Important Bird Areas, identified using information on birds, also shelter other endangered or characteristic animals and plants. As such, they form part of the set\nof Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) important for the conservation of a broad range of taxa. IBAs coincide well with biodiversity hotspots identified by other\nenvironmental organizations, such as Conservation International.","summary":"Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites important for\nthe conservation of birds at the global, regional or sub regional level. IBAs are selected because they hold:\n(a) bird species that are threatened with extinction;\n(b) bird species with highly restricted distributions;\n(c) groups of bird species characteristic of a\nparticular biome; and/or\n(d) exceptionally large gatherings, or\ncongregations, of bird species.\n To identify the 60 IBAs in Kenya, Nature Kenya(the BirdLife International Partner in Kenya) and the National Museums of Kenya gathered information about birds countrywide. They then applied the BirdLife’s internationally agreed, objective, quantitative and scientific criteria, listed above. Important Bird Areas, identified using information on birds, also shelter other endangered or characteristic animals and plants. As such, they form part of the set\nof Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) important for the conservation of a broad range of taxa. IBAs coincide well with biodiversity hotspots identified by other\nenvironmental organizations, such as Conservation International."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/kenyas-important-bird-areas-status-and-trends-2006","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2006","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/kenyas-important-bird-areas-status-and-trends-2006","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:21:28Z","content_text":"Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites important for\nthe conservation of birds at the global, regional or sub regional level. IBAs are selected because they hold:\n(a) bird species that are threatened with extinction;\n(b) bird species with highly restricted distributions;\n(c) groups of bird species characteristic of a\nparticular biome; and/or\n(d) exceptionally large gatherings, or\ncongregations, of bird species.\n To identify the 60 IBAs in Kenya, Nature Kenya (the BirdLife International Partner in Kenya) and the National Museums of Kenya gathered information about birds countrywide. They then applied the BirdLife’s internationally agreed, objective, quantitative and scientific criteria, listed above.\nImportant Bird Areas, identified using information on birds, also shelter other endangered or characteristic animals and plants. As such, they form part of the set of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) important for the conservation of a broad range of taxa. IBAs coincide well with biodiversity hotspots identified by other\nenvironmental organizations, such as Conservation International.","summary":"Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites important for\nthe conservation of birds at the global, regional or sub regional level. IBAs are selected because they hold:\n(a) bird species that are threatened with extinction;\n(b) bird species with highly restricted distributions;\n(c) groups of bird species characteristic of a\nparticular biome; and/or\n(d) exceptionally large gatherings, or\ncongregations, of bird species.\n To identify the 60 IBAs in Kenya, Nature Kenya (the BirdLife International Partner in Kenya) and the National Museums of Kenya gathered information about birds countrywide. They then applied the BirdLife’s internationally agreed, objective, quantitative and scientific criteria, listed above.\nImportant Bird Areas, identified using information on birds, also shelter other endangered or characteristic animals and plants. As such, they form part of the set of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) important for the conservation of a broad range of taxa. IBAs coincide well with biodiversity hotspots identified by other\nenvironmental organizations, such as Conservation International."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2007kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2007","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2007kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:19:23Z","content_text":"Important Bird Areas are key sites for the conservation of birds and other biodiversity. Sixty Important Bird Areas have been identified in Kenya so far. As part of action to conserve the sites and their unique birds and habitats, Nature Kenya – the East Africa Natural History Society – and the National Museums\nof Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, National Environment Management Authority and other partners implement a monitoring programme and publish the results each year. This report presents the results of an analysis of data and information collected in Important Bird Areas\n(IBAs) in Kenya in 2007. IBAs include sites that are protected and unprotected; and varied habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and drylands. Data and other information were collected using\nthe IBA monitoring form (See Annex 1). The analyses are based on 59 forms received for the year 2007, including results from detailed monitoring on eight sites. ","summary":"Important Bird Areas are key sites for the conservation of birds and other biodiversity. Sixty Important Bird Areas have been identified in Kenya so far. As part of action to conserve the sites and their unique birds and habitats, Nature Kenya – the East Africa Natural History Society – and the National Museums\nof Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, National Environment Management Authority and other partners implement a monitoring programme and publish the results each year. This report presents the results of an analysis of data and information collected in Important Bird Areas\n(IBAs) in Kenya in 2007. IBAs include sites that are protected and unprotected; and varied habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and drylands. Data and other information were collected using\nthe IBA monitoring form (See Annex 1). The analyses are based on 59 forms received for the year 2007, including results from detailed monitoring on eight sites. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2008kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2008","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2008kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:18:28Z","content_text":"Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are key sites for the conservation of birds and other biodiversity. Sixty-one] IBAs have been identified in Kenya; details for 60 sites were published in Important Bird Areas in Kenya in 1999, and one is included in this report. As part of action to conserve the sites and their unique birds and\nhabitats, Nature Kenya and the National Museums of Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, the National Environment Management Authority and other partners implement a monitoring programme\nand publish the results each year. This report is mainly based on data from basic monitoring forms. Fifty-three forms were retrieved from 40 of the 61 sites (66%). In the 21 sites where there was no data for this report, the 2007 data was instead used. Waterfowl census data from 2000 to 2008 was also availed for this report courtesy of the National Museums of Kenya. Basic monitoring forms are now available online at <www.naturekenya.org>. ","summary":"Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are key sites for the conservation of birds and other biodiversity. Sixty-one] IBAs have been identified in Kenya; details for 60 sites were published in Important Bird Areas in Kenya in 1999, and one is included in this report. As part of action to conserve the sites and their unique birds and\nhabitats, Nature Kenya and the National Museums of Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, the National Environment Management Authority and other partners implement a monitoring programme\nand publish the results each year. This report is mainly based on data from basic monitoring forms. Fifty-three forms were retrieved from 40 of the 61 sites (66%). In the 21 sites where there was no data for this report, the 2007 data was instead used. Waterfowl census data from 2000 to 2008 was also availed for this report courtesy of the National Museums of Kenya. Basic monitoring forms are now available online at <www.naturekenya.org>. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2008zimbabweibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Zimbabwe’s Important Bird Areas: National Status Report 2008","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2008zimbabweibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:15:41Z","content_text":"The monitoring of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Zimbabwe is a contribution towards reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in the country as well as achieving some of Millennium Development Goals especially to ensure environmental sustainability. These long term objectives will be met through instituting effective monitoring systems in important sites for biodiversity conservation. The monitoring of IBAs in Zimbabwe is also part of BirdLife Zimbabwe’s 5-year strategy to conserve species, habitats, sites and working with people. Monitoring feedback will assist Protected Areas (PAs) management authorities and other stakeholders in the implementation of conservation projects. There are 20 IBAs in Zimbabwe that were identified using BirdLife International criteria.\n\nSeventeen IBAs are in Protected Areas (National Parks, Recreational Park, Safari Areas, Forest Reserves, Botanical Reserves and Private Nature Reserves) and three IBAs are in non-Protected Areas. Eleven IBAs represented in Protected Areas and one IBA in non Protected Areas were monitored in 2008. The source of data is mainly the staff from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Forestry Commission, Allied Timbers Holdings Pvt Ltd and BirdLife Zimbabwe. Site biodiversity monitoring teams in eleven IBAs in Protected Areas were trained in IBA monitoring using the global monitoring framework. The results of the monitoring effort presented in this first national status report are reflective of the condition of twelve sites in terms of habitats of important birds. ","summary":"The monitoring of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Zimbabwe is a contribution towards reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in the country as well as achieving some of Millennium Development Goals especially to ensure environmental sustainability. These long term objectives will be met through instituting effective monitoring systems in important sites for biodiversity conservation. The monitoring of IBAs in Zimbabwe is also part of BirdLife Zimbabwe’s 5-year strategy to conserve species, habitats, sites and working with people. Monitoring feedback will assist Protected Areas (PAs) management authorities and other stakeholders in the implementation of conservation projects. There are 20 IBAs in Zimbabwe that were identified using BirdLife International criteria.\n\nSeventeen IBAs are in Protected Areas (National Parks, Recreational Park, Safari Areas, Forest Reserves, Botanical Reserves and Private Nature Reserves) and three IBAs are in non-Protected Areas. Eleven IBAs represented in Protected Areas and one IBA in non Protected Areas were monitored in 2008. The source of data is mainly the staff from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Forestry Commission, Allied Timbers Holdings Pvt Ltd and BirdLife Zimbabwe. Site biodiversity monitoring teams in eleven IBAs in Protected Areas were trained in IBA monitoring using the global monitoring framework. The results of the monitoring effort presented in this first national status report are reflective of the condition of twelve sites in terms of habitats of important birds. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009botswanamakgadikgadiibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Makgadikgadi Pans Important Bird Area Monitoring Report 2009","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009botswanamakgadikgadiibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:14:59Z","content_text":"As part of Birdlife Botswana’s commitment to maintaining a network of sites that are critical for birds both nationally and internationally, the Makgadikgadi Pans Important Bird Area (IBA) is monitored annually following BirdLife’s global monitoring framework. This framework is based on the State – Pressure – Response model that has been adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and this report is divided into three parts paralleling these components.\nPart 1 deals with the state of the Makgadikgadi Pans IBA, with particular emphasis on the ‘trigger’ species of birds that ‘qualify’ the area as an IBA.\nPart 2 focuses on pressures or threats to the IBA - these were originally identified by Tyler and Bishop (1998), but some of these have been superceded and a current set of issues has been identified through fieldwork. These threats are ranked so that they can be incorporated into the World Bird Database (WBDB).\n","summary":"As part of Birdlife Botswana’s commitment to maintaining a network of sites that are critical for birds both nationally and internationally, the Makgadikgadi Pans Important Bird Area (IBA) is monitored annually following BirdLife’s global monitoring framework. This framework is based on the State – Pressure – Response model that has been adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and this report is divided into three parts paralleling these components.\nPart 1 deals with the state of the Makgadikgadi Pans IBA, with particular emphasis on the ‘trigger’ species of birds that ‘qualify’ the area as an IBA.\nPart 2 focuses on pressures or threats to the IBA - these were originally identified by Tyler and Bishop (1998), but some of these have been superceded and a current set of issues has been identified through fieldwork. These threats are ranked so that they can be incorporated into the World Bird Database (WBDB).\n"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2008botswanaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"2008 Status Report for protected Important Bird Areas In Botswana","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2008botswanaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:13:55Z","content_text":"BirdLife Botswana (the BirdLife partner in Botswana) identified and documented 12\nsites as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Botswana. These sites are; Chobe National Park, Linyanti Swamps, Okavango Delta, Lake Ngami, Central Kalahari and Khutse Game Reserves (CKGR), Makgadikgadi Pans, Gemsbok National Park, Tswapong Hills, Mannyelanong Hill, Phakalane Sewage ponds, South Eastern Botswana and Bokaa Dam. Even though a huge amount of work has been done by BirdLife Botswana, monitoring efforts in these areas lack adequate co-ordination. ","summary":"BirdLife Botswana (the BirdLife partner in Botswana) identified and documented 12\nsites as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Botswana. These sites are; Chobe National Park, Linyanti Swamps, Okavango Delta, Lake Ngami, Central Kalahari and Khutse Game Reserves (CKGR), Makgadikgadi Pans, Gemsbok National Park, Tswapong Hills, Mannyelanong Hill, Phakalane Sewage ponds, South Eastern Botswana and Bokaa Dam. Even though a huge amount of work has been done by BirdLife Botswana, monitoring efforts in these areas lack adequate co-ordination. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/zones-dimportances-pour-la-conservation-des-oiseaux-zico-du-burkina-faso-status-and-trends-2008","title":"Zones d’Importances pour la Conservation des Oiseaux (ZICO) du Burkina Faso - status and trends 2008","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/zones-dimportances-pour-la-conservation-des-oiseaux-zico-du-burkina-faso-status-and-trends-2008","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:13:13Z","content_text":"La problématique du suivi écologique constitue une des préoccupations de base de la communauté internationale au regard de son importance stratégique dans la définition des modèles et approches de gestion des écosystèmes. Cette préoccupation s’est matérialisée au niveau international par la prise en compte des questions de suivi écologique notamment au niveau de la convention sur la biodiversité (CBD) par l’article 7 en son alinéa a et c de la convention de lutte contre la désertification (CCD) par les articles 16, 17 et précisé dans l’annexe 1 en son article 8 sous point 3 ; partie iii de e.","summary":"La problématique du suivi écologique constitue une des préoccupations de base de la communauté internationale au regard de son importance stratégique dans la définition des modèles et approches de gestion des écosystèmes. Cette préoccupation s’est matérialisée au niveau international par la prise en compte des questions de suivi écologique notamment au niveau de la convention sur la biodiversité (CBD) par l’article 7 en son alinéa a et c de la convention de lutte contre la désertification (CCD) par les articles 16, 17 et précisé dans l’annexe 1 en son article 8 sous point 3 ; partie iii de e."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2008ugandaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Important Bird Areas In Uganda Status and Trends 2008","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2008ugandaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:12:05Z","content_text":"The production of this status and trend report is the first in the assessment of progress on conservation efforts in IBAs in Uganda since the production of the IBA directory in 2001. It is hoped that the production of this report shall contribute immensely in the conservation of species, sites and habitats. This report acts as a useful guiding tool to the decision makers, management authorities and conservation NGOs. The report is expected to benefit the\nConvention of Biological Diversity (CBD) reporting processes of the country since it provides trends in both species and habitats for protected and non protected areas. Important Bird Areas in Uganda were identified using standard criteria and guidelines developed by Birdlife International (Fishpool, 1997). Uganda has 33 IBAs comprising of National Parks (Protected Areas),\nForest Reserves, Wetlands/ Ramsar sites and land under private ownership. A number of national IBA programs including prioritization of sites and conservation efforts, development of conservation projects and production of a National IBA Conservation Strategy have been done. Major recommendations from all these processes highlighted monitoring as the prime activity to guide the process of saving species, sites and habitats. Through various meetings and consultations, a global IBA monitoring framework was produced by BirdLife International. It is from this exercise that a monitoring framework for Uganda was adopted and used as a major tool for production of this document. This report contains assessments from 24 out of the 33 IBAs in Uganda.","summary":"The production of this status and trend report is the first in the assessment of progress on conservation efforts in IBAs in Uganda since the production of the IBA directory in 2001. It is hoped that the production of this report shall contribute immensely in the conservation of species, sites and habitats. This report acts as a useful guiding tool to the decision makers, management authorities and conservation NGOs. The report is expected to benefit the\nConvention of Biological Diversity (CBD) reporting processes of the country since it provides trends in both species and habitats for protected and non protected areas. Important Bird Areas in Uganda were identified using standard criteria and guidelines developed by Birdlife International (Fishpool, 1997). Uganda has 33 IBAs comprising of National Parks (Protected Areas),\nForest Reserves, Wetlands/ Ramsar sites and land under private ownership. A number of national IBA programs including prioritization of sites and conservation efforts, development of conservation projects and production of a National IBA Conservation Strategy have been done. Major recommendations from all these processes highlighted monitoring as the prime activity to guide the process of saving species, sites and habitats. Through various meetings and consultations, a global IBA monitoring framework was produced by BirdLife International. It is from this exercise that a monitoring framework for Uganda was adopted and used as a major tool for production of this document. This report contains assessments from 24 out of the 33 IBAs in Uganda."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2010luxembourgibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Inventory of IBA's in Luxemburg – Status in 2010","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2010luxembourgibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:11:08Z","content_text":"Wichtige Vogelschutzgebiete (englisch: Important Bird Areas oder\nIBA) sind Gebiete, die nach wissenschaftlichen Kriterien als wichtig für\nden Arten- und Biotopschutz speziell für Vögel eingestuft werden. Das\nIBA-Programm wurde vom Welt-Dachverband der Vogelschutzverbände\nBirdLife International ins Leben gerufen und ist eine nicht-staatliche\nNaturschutzinitiative. Diese Gebiete werden durch die nationalen\nMitgliedsorganisationen von BirdLife (z.B. der LNVL) vorgeschlagen,\ndurchlaufen eine strenge Kontrollphase und dienen als Vorschlagslisten für die Ausweisung von europäischen Vogelschutzgebieten\n(SPA: Special Protection Areas).","summary":"Wichtige Vogelschutzgebiete (englisch: Important Bird Areas oder\nIBA) sind Gebiete, die nach wissenschaftlichen Kriterien als wichtig für\nden Arten- und Biotopschutz speziell für Vögel eingestuft werden. Das\nIBA-Programm wurde vom Welt-Dachverband der Vogelschutzverbände\nBirdLife International ins Leben gerufen und ist eine nicht-staatliche\nNaturschutzinitiative. Diese Gebiete werden durch die nationalen\nMitgliedsorganisationen von BirdLife (z.B. der LNVL) vorgeschlagen,\ndurchlaufen eine strenge Kontrollphase und dienen als Vorschlagslisten für die Ausweisung von europäischen Vogelschutzgebieten\n(SPA: Special Protection Areas)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009zambiaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"IBA Status and Trends Report- Zambia 2009 ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009zambiaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:10:19Z","content_text":"The monitoring exercise was conducted in 28 of the 42 Important Bird Areas of \n Zambia during the period November 2009 to July 2010. The exercise represents 67% coverage across the country and a rise in coverage from 38% for the 2008 reporting period. ","summary":"The monitoring exercise was conducted in 28 of the 42 Important Bird Areas of \n Zambia during the period November 2009 to July 2010. The exercise represents 67% coverage across the country and a rise in coverage from 38% for the 2008 reporting period. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2009","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:09:36Z","content_text":"This is the sixth annual Important Bird Areas (IBAs) status and trends report for Kenya. It summarizes\nIBA status (quality and quantity), pressure (threats) and responses (conservation interventions) following\nthe state-pressure-response model adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The report\nsummarizes the analysis of information and data gathered for 41 representative IBAs, extrapolated for the\nsixty-one IBAs. The monitoring work is coordinated by Nature Kenya in collaboration with the National\nMuseums of Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, National Environment Management\nAuthority and other government and non-government agencies who are members of the IBA National Liaison\nCommittee. The IBA status and trends report is a national tool to guide decision making, development\nplanning, enhancing collaborative partnerships and reporting on international obligations including the\nConvention on Biological Diversity. ","summary":"This is the sixth annual Important Bird Areas (IBAs) status and trends report for Kenya. It summarizes\nIBA status (quality and quantity), pressure (threats) and responses (conservation interventions) following\nthe state-pressure-response model adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The report\nsummarizes the analysis of information and data gathered for 41 representative IBAs, extrapolated for the\nsixty-one IBAs. The monitoring work is coordinated by Nature Kenya in collaboration with the National\nMuseums of Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, National Environment Management\nAuthority and other government and non-government agencies who are members of the IBA National Liaison\nCommittee. The IBA status and trends report is a national tool to guide decision making, development\nplanning, enhancing collaborative partnerships and reporting on international obligations including the\nConvention on Biological Diversity. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/botswanamonitoring2010pdf","title":"Botswana’s Protected Important Bird Areas Status and Trends Report 2010","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/botswanamonitoring2010pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:08:52Z","content_text":"In 1998, BirdLife Botswana (the BirdLife partner in Botswana) identifi ed and documented 12 sites as Important\nBird Areas (IBAs) of Botswana. However, monitoring efforts at these sites have lacked adequate co-ordination and\nthe success of management and conservation efforts have, therefore, been diffi cult to gauge. In 2007, BirdLife\nBotswana, together with seven other African countries (Burkina Faso, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia\nand Zimbabwe) benefi ted from European Commission funding to pilot a reporting mechanism for biodiversity\nthrough the monitoring of birds at IBAs using the Pressure-State-Response model adapted from the global IBA\nmonitoring framework. In Botswana, the target sites for the project are IBAs overlapping protected areas, of which\nthere are seven: Chobe, Linyanti Swamps, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari Game Reserve,\nMannyelanong and Kalahari Transfrontier Park IBAs.\n","summary":"In 1998, BirdLife Botswana (the BirdLife partner in Botswana) identifi ed and documented 12 sites as Important\nBird Areas (IBAs) of Botswana. However, monitoring efforts at these sites have lacked adequate co-ordination and\nthe success of management and conservation efforts have, therefore, been diffi cult to gauge. In 2007, BirdLife\nBotswana, together with seven other African countries (Burkina Faso, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia\nand Zimbabwe) benefi ted from European Commission funding to pilot a reporting mechanism for biodiversity\nthrough the monitoring of birds at IBAs using the Pressure-State-Response model adapted from the global IBA\nmonitoring framework. In Botswana, the target sites for the project are IBAs overlapping protected areas, of which\nthere are seven: Chobe, Linyanti Swamps, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari Game Reserve,\nMannyelanong and Kalahari Transfrontier Park IBAs.\n"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009ugandaiba20monitoringreportpdf","title":"Important Bird Areas In Uganda Status and Trends 2009","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009ugandaiba20monitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:07:44Z","content_text":"The four institutions alongside Nature Uganda that are helping in monitoring IBAs are Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), National Forest Authority (NFA), Wetlands Management Department (WMD) and National Biodiversity Data Bank (NBDB). These institutions help in management, monitoring and research through various departments. The units involved in information management and community conservation are extremely vital to the processes of IBA monitoring. The community conservation programmes comprise revenue sharing projects, resource utilization, community tourism, conservation education and creation of institutional linkages.\nThese institutions have accepted to apply the global monitoring framework for IBAs which was customised for Uganda. UWA is applying this for the second year while NFA and WMD have been just introduced to the model.\nHowever this simple data capturing format summarizes the variables as State, Pressure and Response which all contribute to the resultant trend analyses.\n The year 2001 is used as a baseline for which data is available. It should also be noted that although data for the 30 IBAs were available then, the 2008 analyses took care of only 22 IBAs and an additional two that were\nadded later onto the list, making a total of 24 IBAs whose data were analysed. Now in 2009, 31 of the total 33 IBAs have been included here in the analyses. The general trend has been maintained at just above moderate conditions. Interestingly the conditions showed a general slight decline from 2001 to 2008 confirmed by decline from 2.37±0.14 to 2.12±0.11 (Mean±SEM) when the analyses were done. This has however started to show an improvement of 2.19±0.12 (Mean±SEM). It should be noted that even with this improvement, the combined analyses do not reach the baseline level yet","summary":"The four institutions alongside Nature Uganda that are helping in monitoring IBAs are Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), National Forest Authority (NFA), Wetlands Management Department (WMD) and National Biodiversity Data Bank (NBDB). These institutions help in management, monitoring and research through various departments. The units involved in information management and community conservation are extremely vital to the processes of IBA monitoring. The community conservation programmes comprise revenue sharing projects, resource utilization, community tourism, conservation education and creation of institutional linkages.\nThese institutions have accepted to apply the global monitoring framework for IBAs which was customised for Uganda. UWA is applying this for the second year while NFA and WMD have been just introduced to the model.\nHowever this simple data capturing format summarizes the variables as State, Pressure and Response which all contribute to the resultant trend analyses.\n The year 2001 is used as a baseline for which data is available. It should also be noted that although data for the 30 IBAs were available then, the 2008 analyses took care of only 22 IBAs and an additional two that were\nadded later onto the list, making a total of 24 IBAs whose data were analysed. Now in 2009, 31 of the total 33 IBAs have been included here in the analyses. The general trend has been maintained at just above moderate conditions. Interestingly the conditions showed a general slight decline from 2001 to 2008 confirmed by decline from 2.37±0.14 to 2.12±0.11 (Mean±SEM) when the analyses were done. This has however started to show an improvement of 2.19±0.12 (Mean±SEM). It should be noted that even with this improvement, the combined analyses do not reach the baseline level yet"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009burundiibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Burundi’s Important Bird Areas - Status and trends 2009","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2009burundiibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:06:56Z","content_text":"The species was previously described as common to abundant; however,\nrecently there have been very few records, suggesting a moderately rapid\ndecline. Francolinus streptophorus has a disjunct distribution, with populations\nin Burundi, Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda,Tanzania and Uganda.\n\nRecent data on this species are lacking. However, it has apparently declined\nin both range and abundance and is now suspected to have a moderately\nsmall population.","summary":"The species was previously described as common to abundant; however,\nrecently there have been very few records, suggesting a moderately rapid\ndecline. Francolinus streptophorus has a disjunct distribution, with populations\nin Burundi, Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda,Tanzania and Uganda.\n\nRecent data on this species are lacking. However, it has apparently declined\nin both range and abundance and is now suspected to have a moderately\nsmall population."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/sowb/countries/fiji2012monitoringibasinfijipdf","title":"A Guide to Monitoring important Bird Areas In Fiji","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/sowb/countries/fiji2012monitoringibasinfijipdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:05:42Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/botswanamonitoring2011pdf","title":"Botswana's Important Bird Areas Status and Trends Report 2011","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/botswanamonitoring2011pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:04:29Z","content_text":"The Important Bird Area (IBA) Programme was established by BirdLife International as a global\ninitiative to identify, protect and manage a network of sites that are important for the long\nterm viability of naturally occurring bird populations, across the geographical range of those\nspecies for which a site based approach is appropriate. In Africa, one of the recent initiatives\nof the programme is a project Instituting effective monitoring of Protected Areas (Important\nBird Areas) as a contribution to reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in Africa. ","summary":"The Important Bird Area (IBA) Programme was established by BirdLife International as a global\ninitiative to identify, protect and manage a network of sites that are important for the long\nterm viability of naturally occurring bird populations, across the geographical range of those\nspecies for which a site based approach is appropriate. In Africa, one of the recent initiatives\nof the programme is a project Instituting effective monitoring of Protected Areas (Important\nBird Areas) as a contribution to reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in Africa. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2011finnishibareportpdf","title":"Birds are not taken seriously in Finnish bird protection areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2011finnishibareportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T16:01:59Z","content_text":"T‰ss‰ kolmen artikkelin sarjassa osoitetaan Suomen linnustonsuojelualueiden linnustoarvojen romahdus ja suojelun laiminlyˆnti.\nAineistona k‰ytet‰‰n IBA-alueiden seurantatuloksia.\nHoito- ja k‰yttˆsuunnitelman laatiminen ja sen toteuttaminen on keskeisin,\nlains‰‰d‰nnˆn edellytt‰m‰ suojeluprosessi linnustonsuojelualueilla. IBA-alueista 50 %:lle ei ollut v. 2011 alkuun menness‰\nlaadittu hoito- ja k‰yttˆsuunnitelmaa. Hoitotoimet ovat myˆh‰ss‰ hoitotarpeeseen n‰hden, sill‰ linnustoarvot ovat IBA-alueilla romahtaneet 1960-luvusta. Hoitotoimet ovat myˆh‰ss‰ myˆs hallinnon omiin ohjeellisiin aikatauluihin n‰hden. Edelleen, hoitotoimenpiteet, suojeluarvojen seuranta\nja kohteen ekologisen tilan selvitt‰minen ovat kohteista riippuen joko alimitoitettuja tai j‰tetty kokonaan toteuttamatta. Lis‰ksi\nuseasti suunniteltuja toimenpiteit‰ ei ole toteutettu aikataulussa tai on j‰tetty kokonaan toteuttamatta","summary":"T‰ss‰ kolmen artikkelin sarjassa osoitetaan Suomen linnustonsuojelualueiden linnustoarvojen romahdus ja suojelun laiminlyˆnti.\nAineistona k‰ytet‰‰n IBA-alueiden seurantatuloksia.\nHoito- ja k‰yttˆsuunnitelman laatiminen ja sen toteuttaminen on keskeisin,\nlains‰‰d‰nnˆn edellytt‰m‰ suojeluprosessi linnustonsuojelualueilla. IBA-alueista 50 %:lle ei ollut v. 2011 alkuun menness‰\nlaadittu hoito- ja k‰yttˆsuunnitelmaa. Hoitotoimet ovat myˆh‰ss‰ hoitotarpeeseen n‰hden, sill‰ linnustoarvot ovat IBA-alueilla romahtaneet 1960-luvusta. Hoitotoimet ovat myˆh‰ss‰ myˆs hallinnon omiin ohjeellisiin aikatauluihin n‰hden. Edelleen, hoitotoimenpiteet, suojeluarvojen seuranta\nja kohteen ekologisen tilan selvitt‰minen ovat kohteista riippuen joko alimitoitettuja tai j‰tetty kokonaan toteuttamatta. Lis‰ksi\nuseasti suunniteltuja toimenpiteit‰ ei ole toteutettu aikataulussa tai on j‰tetty kokonaan toteuttamatta"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2010kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2010","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2010kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:59:36Z","content_text":"The 2010 IBA Status and Trends Report provides information on the conditions, pressures and responses at 61 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Kenya. (See the inside back cover for the names and locations of IBAs in Kenya.) Some Important Bird Areas are protected areas, while others are on unprotected land.\nThis report is a result of excellent NGO-Government-Local community collaborative efforts to save species, conserve sites and habitats, promote ecological sustainability and engage people to take action for biodiversity\nconservation at the IBAs. The monitoring results enable the stakeholders to track the conditions, pressures and responses at IBAs. The recommendations contained in this report constitute a suite of corrective measures that should guide future decision making for the conservation of IBAs and key biodiversity areas. The 2010 report is a summary of analyses of information gathered for 37 representative IBAs from 59 basic monitoring forms and other secondary data. The data is extrapolated to cover the 61 IBAs in Kenya. ","summary":"The 2010 IBA Status and Trends Report provides information on the conditions, pressures and responses at 61 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Kenya. (See the inside back cover for the names and locations of IBAs in Kenya.) Some Important Bird Areas are protected areas, while others are on unprotected land.\nThis report is a result of excellent NGO-Government-Local community collaborative efforts to save species, conserve sites and habitats, promote ecological sustainability and engage people to take action for biodiversity\nconservation at the IBAs. The monitoring results enable the stakeholders to track the conditions, pressures and responses at IBAs. The recommendations contained in this report constitute a suite of corrective measures that should guide future decision making for the conservation of IBAs and key biodiversity areas. The 2010 report is a summary of analyses of information gathered for 37 representative IBAs from 59 basic monitoring forms and other secondary data. The data is extrapolated to cover the 61 IBAs in Kenya. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2011kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2011","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2011kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:58:28Z","content_text":"This report highlights the year 2011 results of\nbasic monitoring in Kenya’s Important Bird\nAreas (IBAs). The monitoring programme\nexamines trends in habitat and species status (condition),\npressures (threats) and responses in all Kenyan IBAs.\nThis monitoring program was initiated in 2004 as a\ncollaborative effort of Nature Kenya, National Museums\nof Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service,\nNational Environment Management Authority, other\ngovernmental and non-governmental organizations\nand Site Support Groups, working under the auspices of\nthe IBA National Liaison Committee (NLC). The 2011\nresults presented in this report are based on 47 basic\nmonitoring forms received from 35 IBAs. The data were\nextrapolated to cover all the 61 IBAs in Kenya. The results\nare presented following the State, Pressure and Response\nmodel. The report also highlights some results of detailed\nmonitoring in Kinangop Grasslands, Taita Hills Forests,\nand Lake Naivasha.","summary":"This report highlights the year 2011 results of\nbasic monitoring in Kenya’s Important Bird\nAreas (IBAs). The monitoring programme\nexamines trends in habitat and species status (condition),\npressures (threats) and responses in all Kenyan IBAs.\nThis monitoring program was initiated in 2004 as a\ncollaborative effort of Nature Kenya, National Museums\nof Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service,\nNational Environment Management Authority, other\ngovernmental and non-governmental organizations\nand Site Support Groups, working under the auspices of\nthe IBA National Liaison Committee (NLC). The 2011\nresults presented in this report are based on 47 basic\nmonitoring forms received from 35 IBAs. The data were\nextrapolated to cover all the 61 IBAs in Kenya. The results\nare presented following the State, Pressure and Response\nmodel. The report also highlights some results of detailed\nmonitoring in Kinangop Grasslands, Taita Hills Forests,\nand Lake Naivasha."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2012-2013kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2012-13","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2012-2013kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:57:18Z","content_text":"Nature Kenya, in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and other stakeholders, has been implementing a national Important Bird Areas (IBAs) programme\nin Kenya since 1995. This programme involves identification, profiling and monitoring of IBAs. So far sixty-two sites have been identified and described as IBAs and efforts are still being made to identify more. This report is a summary of the status, pressure and response results as analyzed from standardized IBAs monitoring forms submitted by stakeholders\nwho work at the various sites. Standardized basic monitoring forms are distributed to site managers and other trained professionals and volunteers who are conversant with the IBA sites.","summary":"Nature Kenya, in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and other stakeholders, has been implementing a national Important Bird Areas (IBAs) programme\nin Kenya since 1995. This programme involves identification, profiling and monitoring of IBAs. So far sixty-two sites have been identified and described as IBAs and efforts are still being made to identify more. This report is a summary of the status, pressure and response results as analyzed from standardized IBAs monitoring forms submitted by stakeholders\nwho work at the various sites. Standardized basic monitoring forms are distributed to site managers and other trained professionals and volunteers who are conversant with the IBA sites."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2014kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":" Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2014","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2014kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:55:53Z","content_text":"This report summarises the status,\npressure and response results arising\nfrom the basic monitoring at the 64\nImportant Bird Areas (IBAs) sites that had been\nidentified in Kenya by the end of 2014. It’s a\ncollaborative initiative by various stakeholders\naimed at giving the updated information on\nthe status of species and their habitats, the\npressures they face and responses by various\nstakeholders at the Kenyan IBAs.\nThis is part of the actions to conserve the IBA\nsites, habitats and their wildlife within Kenya,\nthat is led by Nature Kenya in collaboration with\nthe National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Kenya\nWildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service\n(KFS), National Environment Management\nAuthority (NEMA) and other governmental\nand non-governmental organizations, who\nare members of the IBA National Liaison\nCommittee (IBA-NLC). The 2014 report is\na summary of the analyses of information\nthat has been gathered for 52 representative\nIBAs using basic monitoring forms and other\nsecondary data (Newspaper cuttings and\nother reports/articles). For the 12 sites where\ndata was not received for various reasons,\ndata from the previous year has been used.","summary":"This report summarises the status,\npressure and response results arising\nfrom the basic monitoring at the 64\nImportant Bird Areas (IBAs) sites that had been\nidentified in Kenya by the end of 2014. It’s a\ncollaborative initiative by various stakeholders\naimed at giving the updated information on\nthe status of species and their habitats, the\npressures they face and responses by various\nstakeholders at the Kenyan IBAs.\nThis is part of the actions to conserve the IBA\nsites, habitats and their wildlife within Kenya,\nthat is led by Nature Kenya in collaboration with\nthe National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Kenya\nWildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service\n(KFS), National Environment Management\nAuthority (NEMA) and other governmental\nand non-governmental organizations, who\nare members of the IBA National Liaison\nCommittee (IBA-NLC). The 2014 report is\na summary of the analyses of information\nthat has been gathered for 52 representative\nIBAs using basic monitoring forms and other\nsecondary data (Newspaper cuttings and\nother reports/articles). For the 12 sites where\ndata was not received for various reasons,\ndata from the previous year has been used."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2015switzerlandibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas IBA - Switzerland","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2015switzerlandibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:54:56Z","content_text":"Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas IBA sind\nwichtige Vogelschutzgebiete, die nach internationalen wissenschaftlichen Kriterien ausgeschieden werden. Das IBA-Programm wurde von\nBirdLife International, dem Welt-Dachverband der\nVogelschutzverbände, in den 1980er-Jahren ins\nLeben gerufen. Die IBA-Gebiete werden anhand\nder Kriterien von BirdLife International durch die\nnationalen Mitgliedsorganisationen von BirdLife (z.B.\nder SVS/BirdLife Schweiz) vorgeschlagen und durchlaufen eine strenge Kontrollphase, bevor sie von\nBirdLife International anerkannt werden. In den\nEU-Ländern dienen diese Gebiete als Basis für die\nAusscheidung der SPAs (Special Protection Areas)\nzur Erfüllung der Vogelschutzrichtlinie innerhalb des\nNatura 2000-Netzwerks. Die IBAs sind zwar anhand\nvon vogelbasierten Kriterien ausgeschieden, sind\naber generell schützenswerte Gebiete mit einer\nhohen Biodiversität.","summary":"Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas IBA sind\nwichtige Vogelschutzgebiete, die nach internationalen wissenschaftlichen Kriterien ausgeschieden werden. Das IBA-Programm wurde von\nBirdLife International, dem Welt-Dachverband der\nVogelschutzverbände, in den 1980er-Jahren ins\nLeben gerufen. Die IBA-Gebiete werden anhand\nder Kriterien von BirdLife International durch die\nnationalen Mitgliedsorganisationen von BirdLife (z.B.\nder SVS/BirdLife Schweiz) vorgeschlagen und durchlaufen eine strenge Kontrollphase, bevor sie von\nBirdLife International anerkannt werden. In den\nEU-Ländern dienen diese Gebiete als Basis für die\nAusscheidung der SPAs (Special Protection Areas)\nzur Erfüllung der Vogelschutzrichtlinie innerhalb des\nNatura 2000-Netzwerks. Die IBAs sind zwar anhand\nvon vogelbasierten Kriterien ausgeschieden, sind\naber generell schützenswerte Gebiete mit einer\nhohen Biodiversität."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2015kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2015","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/monitoringpdfs/2015kenyaibamonitoringreportpdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:53:49Z","content_text":"This report highlights the status, pressure and\nresponses recorded by the basic monitoring\nof Kenya’s 64 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) for\nthe calendar year ending 2015. It marks the\n10th report since the production of Kenya’s\nfirst Important Bird Areas status and trends\nreport in 2004. It gives a summary of the\ntrends in the condition of the sites, habitats\nand species, the threats affecting them and\nthe interventions being undertaken.","summary":"This report highlights the status, pressure and\nresponses recorded by the basic monitoring\nof Kenya’s 64 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) for\nthe calendar year ending 2015. It marks the\n10th report since the production of Kenya’s\nfirst Important Bird Areas status and trends\nreport in 2004. It gives a summary of the\ntrends in the condition of the sites, habitats\nand species, the threats affecting them and\nthe interventions being undertaken."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-state-of-south-africas-birds-2018","title":"The State of South Africa's Birds 2018","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-state-of-south-africas-birds-2018","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:52:22Z","content_text":"In 2018, BirdLife South Africa published the State of South Africa’s Birds report, the first of its kind for the region. Drawing on national survey and monitoring data, it provides a detailed insight into the status of birds within the country.","summary":"In 2018, BirdLife South Africa published the State of South Africa’s Birds report, the first of its kind for the region. Drawing on national survey and monitoring data, it provides a detailed insight into the status of birds within the country."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/ai-iba-2006pdf","title":"Important Bird Areas in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories - Anguilla","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/ai-iba-2006pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:49:50Z","content_text":"The Anguillan archipelago lies at the northern end of the Lesser Antilles where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. There are 22 islands in total, with the main island (Anguilla) being approximately 16 miles (26 km) long, 3\nmiles (5 km) at its widest point, and covering approximately 56.5 square miles (146 square km). The islands lie within the Tropics at 18ºN of the Equator on\na longitude of 63ºW and have a sunny climate year round with average temperatures of 27ºC. The wet season extends from June to November and coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, although most of the island’s average rainfall of 900–1,000 mm can fall within a few weeks, causing localised flooding in low-lying areas. Anguilla is periodically hit by hurricanes such as Luis in 1995 and Lenny in 1999, and these can result in extensive wind\ndamage, torrential rain and flooding.","summary":"The Anguillan archipelago lies at the northern end of the Lesser Antilles where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. There are 22 islands in total, with the main island (Anguilla) being approximately 16 miles (26 km) long, 3\nmiles (5 km) at its widest point, and covering approximately 56.5 square miles (146 square km). The islands lie within the Tropics at 18ºN of the Equator on\na longitude of 63ºW and have a sunny climate year round with average temperatures of 27ºC. The wet season extends from June to November and coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, although most of the island’s average rainfall of 900–1,000 mm can fall within a few weeks, causing localised flooding in low-lying areas. Anguilla is periodically hit by hurricanes such as Luis in 1995 and Lenny in 1999, and these can result in extensive wind\ndamage, torrential rain and flooding."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/io-iba-2006pdf","title":"Important Bird Areas in United Kingdom Overseas Territories - British Indian Ocean Territory","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/io-iba-2006pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:49:00Z","content_text":"The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), also known as the Chagos Archipelago, lies at the southern end of the Laccadives–Maldives–Chagos ridge, in the geographical centre of the tropical Indian Ocean. Its central feature is the Great Chagos Bank, the world’s largest atoll, found between 5˚20' to 7˚35'S and 71˚20' to 72˚40'E. Although most of the Great Chagos Bank is submerged, the above-water land mass of the archipelago, totalling approximately 67 individual islands, can be grouped in to five islanded atolls\nfound around the Chagos Bank: Peros Banhos and Salomon Atolls to the north, the Chagos Bank and Egmont Atolls to the west, and Diego Garcia Atoll, the largest land mass, to the south (Bourne 1971, Sheppard 1981, Sheppard et al. 1999).","summary":"The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), also known as the Chagos Archipelago, lies at the southern end of the Laccadives–Maldives–Chagos ridge, in the geographical centre of the tropical Indian Ocean. Its central feature is the Great Chagos Bank, the world’s largest atoll, found between 5˚20' to 7˚35'S and 71˚20' to 72˚40'E. Although most of the Great Chagos Bank is submerged, the above-water land mass of the archipelago, totalling approximately 67 individual islands, can be grouped in to five islanded atolls\nfound around the Chagos Bank: Peros Banhos and Salomon Atolls to the north, the Chagos Bank and Egmont Atolls to the west, and Diego Garcia Atoll, the largest land mass, to the south (Bourne 1971, Sheppard 1981, Sheppard et al. 1999)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/bm-iba-2006pdf","title":"Important Bird Areas in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories - Bermuda","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/bm-iba-2006pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:46:37Z","content_text":"About 375 bird species have been recorded in Bermuda, most of which are North American neo-tropical migrants.  Although most of these migrants stay for only a matter of days or weeks to rebuild energy reserves before continuing\non their migration, a number will stay on in varying numbers for the entire winter period (October to April). For example, up to 25 species of North American Wood Warblers regularly winter on Bermuda. ","summary":"About 375 bird species have been recorded in Bermuda, most of which are North American neo-tropical migrants.  Although most of these migrants stay for only a matter of days or weeks to rebuild energy reserves before continuing\non their migration, a number will stay on in varying numbers for the entire winter period (October to April). For example, up to 25 species of North American Wood Warblers regularly winter on Bermuda. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/ky-iba-2006pdf","title":"Important Bird Areas in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories - Cayman Islands ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/ky-iba-2006pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:46:16Z","content_text":"The Cayman Islands comprise three low-lying islands:\nGrand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. These\nemergent limestone bluffs are situated along the\nsubmerged Cayman Ridge, which is continuous with the\nSierra Maestra mountains of south-eastern Cuba. The\nCayman Islands are located between latitudes 19˚20'N and\n19˚43'N and longitudes 79˚50'W and 81˚21'W, and are\nsituated in the western extreme of the Caribbean,\napproximately 155 miles (250 km) south of Cuba, a similar\ndistance east of Jamaica. Grand Cayman is situated some\n81 miles (130 km) south-west of Little Cayman and\nCayman Brac, which are in turn separated from each other\nby a narrow channel, 4 miles (7 km) wide. The Cayman\nIslands are composed entirely of calcareous marine\ndeposits and were formed by uplifting and block faulting\nof the ocean floor around 10 million years ago.","summary":"The Cayman Islands comprise three low-lying islands:\nGrand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. These\nemergent limestone bluffs are situated along the\nsubmerged Cayman Ridge, which is continuous with the\nSierra Maestra mountains of south-eastern Cuba. The\nCayman Islands are located between latitudes 19˚20'N and\n19˚43'N and longitudes 79˚50'W and 81˚21'W, and are\nsituated in the western extreme of the Caribbean,\napproximately 155 miles (250 km) south of Cuba, a similar\ndistance east of Jamaica. Grand Cayman is situated some\n81 miles (130 km) south-west of Little Cayman and\nCayman Brac, which are in turn separated from each other\nby a narrow channel, 4 miles (7 km) wide. The Cayman\nIslands are composed entirely of calcareous marine\ndeposits and were formed by uplifting and block faulting\nof the ocean floor around 10 million years ago."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/fk-iba-2006pdf","title":"Important Bird Areas in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories -  Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas)","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/fk-iba-2006pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:44:14Z","content_text":"The Falkland Islands are situated in the South Atlantic between latitudes 51°S and 53°S and longitudes 57°30'W and 61°30'W. They cover an area of 4,700 square miles (12,173 km2), with two main islands, East and West Falkland, and about 750 smaller offshore islands and islets (Woods 2001).\nPhysiography - The Falkland Islands are composed of sedimentary rocks:\nthe landscape is generally rugged and hilly, with the highest peaks being Mount Adam (700 m) on West Falkland and Mount Usborne (705 m) on East Falkland. East Falkland is divided into two large land blocks, connected by a narrow isthmus. The southern block is dominated by the plain of Lafonia, an area of gentle relief and open grasslands, while the area to the north is more\nrugged and rocky, with large upland areas of peat bog and permanent pools. West Falkland is generally more rugged, with an undulating landscape of open plains and upland acid grasslands. The coastline is deeply indented around\nboth East and West Falkland. ","summary":"The Falkland Islands are situated in the South Atlantic between latitudes 51°S and 53°S and longitudes 57°30'W and 61°30'W. They cover an area of 4,700 square miles (12,173 km2), with two main islands, East and West Falkland, and about 750 smaller offshore islands and islets (Woods 2001).\nPhysiography - The Falkland Islands are composed of sedimentary rocks:\nthe landscape is generally rugged and hilly, with the highest peaks being Mount Adam (700 m) on West Falkland and Mount Usborne (705 m) on East Falkland. East Falkland is divided into two large land blocks, connected by a narrow isthmus. The southern block is dominated by the plain of Lafonia, an area of gentle relief and open grasslands, while the area to the north is more\nrugged and rocky, with large upland areas of peat bog and permanent pools. West Falkland is generally more rugged, with an undulating landscape of open plains and upland acid grasslands. The coastline is deeply indented around\nboth East and West Falkland. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/australias-important-bird-areas-key-sites-for-bird-conservation","title":"Australia's Important Bird Areas - Key sites for bird conservation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/australias-important-bird-areas-key-sites-for-bird-conservation","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:42:40Z","content_text":"Australia’s 314 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are among Earth’s most exceptional places for birds and are priority sites for bird conservation. By conserving these key areas, Australians can be more confident of the long-term survival of our birds. In this report, Birds Australia presents the results of a three year project to identify Australia’s IBAs. The project owes its success to the contributions of over 1,000 volunteers. Almost half of the area covered by Australia’s IBAs has no existing formal protection, thus representing an opportunity for conservation. Most of Australia’s IBAs face challenges such as invasive species, development pressure, overgrazing and inappropriate fire regimes, thus presenting a need for management. In only a very small number of IBAs were no challenges identified","summary":"Australia’s 314 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are among Earth’s most exceptional places for birds and are priority sites for bird conservation. By conserving these key areas, Australians can be more confident of the long-term survival of our birds. In this report, Birds Australia presents the results of a three year project to identify Australia’s IBAs. The project owes its success to the contributions of over 1,000 volunteers. Almost half of the area covered by Australia’s IBAs has no existing formal protection, thus representing an opportunity for conservation. Most of Australia’s IBAs face challenges such as invasive species, development pressure, overgrazing and inappropriate fire regimes, thus presenting a need for management. In only a very small number of IBAs were no challenges identified"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/amcntrypdfs/important-bird-areas-in-the-dominican-republic","title":"Important Bird Areas in the Dominican Republic","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/amcntrypdfs/important-bird-areas-in-the-dominican-republic","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:41:03Z","content_text":"El programa Áreas Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves (AICAs), establecido por BirdLife International, es la iniciativa más ambiciosa y productiva para la conservaciónde la biodiversidad a escala mundial. La presente publicación recoge los trabajos hechos en República Dominicana por el Grupo Jaragua, con la colaboración de varias instituciones, tanto gubernamentales como privadas, mediante la implementación de una metodología sencilla pero rigurosamente científica, que permite escoger\nlugares considerados importantes para las aves (y para la biodiversidad en general) usando criterios contundentes. ","summary":"El programa Áreas Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves (AICAs), establecido por BirdLife International, es la iniciativa más ambiciosa y productiva para la conservaciónde la biodiversidad a escala mundial. La presente publicación recoge los trabajos hechos en República Dominicana por el Grupo Jaragua, con la colaboración de varias instituciones, tanto gubernamentales como privadas, mediante la implementación de una metodología sencilla pero rigurosamente científica, que permite escoger\nlugares considerados importantes para las aves (y para la biodiversidad en general) usando criterios contundentes. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/important-bird-areas-in-antarctica","title":"Important Bird Areas in Antarctica","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/important-bird-areas-in-antarctica","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:38:33Z","content_text":"This project has its origins in an initiative taken more than ten years ago by BirdLife International and the Bird Biology Sub-committee of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to identify sites within the\nAntarctic region that meet the criteria defined by BirdLife for internationally Important Bird Areas (IBAs). This initiative consulted widely within the Antarctic scientific community and held several workshops, resulting in an initial list of sites meeting the criteria. A number of gaps remained in the analysis, for example because data were not available at the time for several species, and after a hiatus the project was re-initiated by BirdLife with a view to completing the list for the Antarctic. ","summary":"This project has its origins in an initiative taken more than ten years ago by BirdLife International and the Bird Biology Sub-committee of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to identify sites within the\nAntarctic region that meet the criteria defined by BirdLife for internationally Important Bird Areas (IBAs). This initiative consulted widely within the Antarctic scientific community and held several workshops, resulting in an initial list of sites meeting the criteria. A number of gaps remained in the analysis, for example because data were not available at the time for several species, and after a hiatus the project was re-initiated by BirdLife with a view to completing the list for the Antarctic. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/ibasinantarctica2015v5pdf","title":"Important Bird Areas in Antarctica 2015","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/datazonebirdlifeorg/userfiles/file/ibas/pubs/ibasinantarctica2015v5pdf","date_published":"2025-01-30T15:35:39Z","content_text":"Identifying those areas of Antarctica that are most important for birds has its roots in efforts to compile data on the distribution and abundance of Antarctic bird species initiated by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research\n(SCAR) Bird Biology Sub-Committee as early as the 1980s, then Chaired by John Croxall. Around the same time, BirdLife International established the Important Bird Area (IBA)1 programme to provide a means of identifying sites of\ninternational conservation significance for the world’s birds. To achieve this, BirdLife International has worked closely with organisations and individuals in the countries concerned. It was natural, therefore, that in the 1990s BirdLife\nInternational and SCAR formed a collaboration to compile an IBA inventory for Antarctica. This was initiated at the XXV SCAR Meeting in Concepción, Chile in 1998. Criteria for selection appropriate to Antarctica were agreed at the\nnext meeting held in 2000 in Tokyo, Japan, based on IBA designation criteria established by BirdLife and used elsewhere in the world. SCAR and BirdLife International then held workshops on IBAs in Jena, Germany, in 2002 and in\nTexel, The Netherlands in 2004, and an initial list of IBAs was identified, which was reappraised by Fijn (2005).","summary":"Identifying those areas of Antarctica that are most important for birds has its roots in efforts to compile data on the distribution and abundance of Antarctic bird species initiated by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research\n(SCAR) Bird Biology Sub-Committee as early as the 1980s, then Chaired by John Croxall. Around the same time, BirdLife International established the Important Bird Area (IBA)1 programme to provide a means of identifying sites of\ninternational conservation significance for the world’s birds. To achieve this, BirdLife International has worked closely with organisations and individuals in the countries concerned. It was natural, therefore, that in the 1990s BirdLife\nInternational and SCAR formed a collaboration to compile an IBA inventory for Antarctica. This was initiated at the XXV SCAR Meeting in Concepción, Chile in 1998. Criteria for selection appropriate to Antarctica were agreed at the\nnext meeting held in 2000 in Tokyo, Japan, based on IBA designation criteria established by BirdLife and used elsewhere in the world. SCAR and BirdLife International then held workshops on IBAs in Jena, Germany, in 2002 and in\nTexel, The Netherlands in 2004, and an initial list of IBAs was identified, which was reappraised by Fijn (2005)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/issuucom/birdlifecyprus/docs/importantbirdareasofcyprusbyb","title":"Important Bird Areas of Cyprus","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/issuucom/birdlifecyprus/docs/importantbirdareasofcyprusbyb","date_published":"2025-01-27T15:42:24Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwspreporg/attachments/virlib/cookislands/te-ipukarea-kbapdf","title":"Priority Sites for Conservation in the Cook Islands: Key Biodiversity Areas and Important Bird Areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwspreporg/attachments/virlib/cookislands/te-ipukarea-kbapdf","date_published":"2025-01-27T15:16:50Z","content_text":"In 2010, with the assistance of Conservation International and the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund, Birdlife International in partnership with the Cook Islands environmental NGO Te Ipukarea Society commenced a project to\nidentify and delineate KBAs and IBAs in the Cook Islands. A Project Steering Committee was established which together with international biodiversity experts from Birdlife International and Conservation International, forms an expert network. The first task was to identify species in the Cook Islands listed on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. Endemic species listed in the Cook Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2002) were added to this list because they meet the restricted range criterion. In the Cook Islands, seabirds are known to be most likely to meet the criterion of globally significant congregations. Sites that qualify for this criterion must have at least 1% of the global population of seabirds or at least 10,000 pairs on a regular basis. One percent thresholds are tabulated in Appendix 3 for species that may lead to IBA designation in the Cook Islands. Bottleneck sites must have threshold numbers of migratory species. With the assistance of the Packard Foundation, population\nestimates were made of seabirds on islands most likely to meet IBA criteria and for which population numbers have not recently been assessed (Karika, 2011). The Cook Islands do not qualify under the criterion of bio regionally-restricted\nspecies assemblages. \n","summary":"In 2010, with the assistance of Conservation International and the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund, Birdlife International in partnership with the Cook Islands environmental NGO Te Ipukarea Society commenced a project to\nidentify and delineate KBAs and IBAs in the Cook Islands. A Project Steering Committee was established which together with international biodiversity experts from Birdlife International and Conservation International, forms an expert network. The first task was to identify species in the Cook Islands listed on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. Endemic species listed in the Cook Islands National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2002) were added to this list because they meet the restricted range criterion. In the Cook Islands, seabirds are known to be most likely to meet the criterion of globally significant congregations. Sites that qualify for this criterion must have at least 1% of the global population of seabirds or at least 10,000 pairs on a regular basis. One percent thresholds are tabulated in Appendix 3 for species that may lead to IBA designation in the Cook Islands. Bottleneck sites must have threshold numbers of migratory species. With the assistance of the Packard Foundation, population\nestimates were made of seabirds on islands most likely to meet IBA criteria and for which population numbers have not recently been assessed (Karika, 2011). The Cook Islands do not qualify under the criterion of bio regionally-restricted\nspecies assemblages. \n"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/http/wwwchinabirdnetorg/ibainventoryhtml","title":"Directory of Important Bird Areas in China (Mainland): Key Sites for Conservation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/http/wwwchinabirdnetorg/ibainventoryhtml","date_published":"2025-01-27T14:58:33Z","content_text":"Compilation of IBA in China started in 1998. When the inventory of Asia was published in 2004, a total of 445 IBAs had been identified in China mainland, plus two in Hong Kong and one in Macao. Although we had spent some years in collecting IBA information in China, there are lots of gaps of knowledge as China is so big a country. In recent year, as more and more people interested in birds, and information flow speeded up thanks to the use of the Internet, we have acquired a lot more new information on distribution of species and previously unknown sites. The old inventory may have missed some recently discovered important sites. In 2006, with the funds available from the World Bank Safeguarding Important Area of Natural Habitat Programme, BirdLife International organized workshops and consultation on revising the IBA inventory of China in 2006 and 2007. The revised China mainland inventory is published in Chinese in 2009 for the first time.","summary":"Compilation of IBA in China started in 1998. When the inventory of Asia was published in 2004, a total of 445 IBAs had been identified in China mainland, plus two in Hong Kong and one in Macao. Although we had spent some years in collecting IBA information in China, there are lots of gaps of knowledge as China is so big a country. In recent year, as more and more people interested in birds, and information flow speeded up thanks to the use of the Internet, we have acquired a lot more new information on distribution of species and previously unknown sites. The old inventory may have missed some recently discovered important sites. In 2006, with the funds available from the World Bank Safeguarding Important Area of Natural Habitat Programme, BirdLife International organized workshops and consultation on revising the IBA inventory of China in 2006 and 2007. The revised China mainland inventory is published in Chinese in 2009 for the first time."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwibacanadacom/https/wwwibacanadacom/indexjsplangen","title":"Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in Canada","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwibacanadacom/https/wwwibacanadacom/indexjsplangen","date_published":"2025-01-27T14:50:59Z","content_text":"Canada’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas Program is a science-based initiative to identify, conserve, and monitor a network of sites that provide essential habitat for Canada’s bird populations.\n\nA new partnership between Bird Studies Canada, Nature Canada, and the Gosling Foundation provides grants to support conservation action for threatened ecosystems. Learn more\n\nThe purpose of this web site is to provide a one-stop resource for information about Canada’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, including:\n\nAn IBA search engine you can use to access maps, and identify bird populations, habitat types, and land use activities at Important Bird Areas across Canada.\n \nTools for Canada’s network of IBA Caretakers to watch over and protect Canada’s Important Bird Areas, and opportunities for you to join our efforts.\n \nNews and information about the ongoing work of Canada’s Important Bird Areas Program.\n","summary":"Canada’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas Program is a science-based initiative to identify, conserve, and monitor a network of sites that provide essential habitat for Canada’s bird populations.\n\nA new partnership between Bird Studies Canada, Nature Canada, and the Gosling Foundation provides grants to support conservation action for threatened ecosystems. Learn more\n\nThe purpose of this web site is to provide a one-stop resource for information about Canada’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, including:\n\nAn IBA search engine you can use to access maps, and identify bird populations, habitat types, and land use activities at Important Bird Areas across Canada.\n \nTools for Canada’s network of IBA Caretakers to watch over and protect Canada’s Important Bird Areas, and opportunities for you to join our efforts.\n \nNews and information about the ongoing work of Canada’s Important Bird Areas Program.\n"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/status-and-phenology-of-breeding-seabirds-and-a-review-of-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-in-the-british-indian-ocean-territory/e84e07d38619a635f3a54104511fbed2","title":"Status and phenology of breeding seabirds and a review of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in the British Indian Ocean Territory","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/status-and-phenology-of-breeding-seabirds-and-a-review-of-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-in-the-british-indian-ocean-territory/e84e07d38619a635f3a54104511fbed2","date_published":"2025-01-24T16:07:03Z","content_text":"Seabirds are one of the most threatened avian taxa and are hence a high conservation priority. Managing seabirds is challenging, requiring conservation actions at sea (e.g. Marine Protected Areas - MPAs) and on land (e.g. protection of breeding sites). Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) have been successfully used to identify sites of global importance for the conservation of bird populations, including breeding seabirds. The challenge of identifying suitable IBAs for tropical seabirds is exacerbated by high levels of dispersal, seasonal and asynchronous breeding. The western Indian Ocean supports ~19 million breeding seabirds of 30 species, making it one of the most significant tropical seabird assemblages in the world. Within this is the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), encompassing 55 islands of the Chagos Archipelago, which supports 18 species of breeding seabird and one of the world’s largest no-take MPAs. Between January and March in 1975 and 1996, eight and 45 islands respectively were surveyed for seabirds and the data used to designate 10 islands as IBAs. A further two were proposed following an expedition to 26 islands in February/March 2006. Due to the historic and restricted temporal and spatial nature of these surveys, the current IBA recommendations may not accurately represent the archipelago’s present seabird status and distribution.","summary":"Seabirds are one of the most threatened avian taxa and are hence a high conservation priority. Managing seabirds is challenging, requiring conservation actions at sea (e.g. Marine Protected Areas - MPAs) and on land (e.g. protection of breeding sites). Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) have been successfully used to identify sites of global importance for the conservation of bird populations, including breeding seabirds. The challenge of identifying suitable IBAs for tropical seabirds is exacerbated by high levels of dispersal, seasonal and asynchronous breeding. The western Indian Ocean supports ~19 million breeding seabirds of 30 species, making it one of the most significant tropical seabird assemblages in the world. Within this is the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), encompassing 55 islands of the Chagos Archipelago, which supports 18 species of breeding seabird and one of the world’s largest no-take MPAs. Between January and March in 1975 and 1996, eight and 45 islands respectively were surveyed for seabirds and the data used to designate 10 islands as IBAs. A further two were proposed following an expedition to 26 islands in February/March 2006. Due to the historic and restricted temporal and spatial nature of these surveys, the current IBA recommendations may not accurately represent the archipelago’s present seabird status and distribution."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/european-red-list-of-birds","title":"European Red List of Birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/european-red-list-of-birds","date_published":"2025-01-23T20:25:54Z","content_text":"The European Red List of Birds is a review of the regional extinction risk of all 544 species of birds occurring regularly and naturally in Europe. The assessment, performed by BirdLife International for the fourth time (1994, 2004, 2015 and 2021), follows the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria applied at regional level. Evaluating the extinction risk of each species – i.e., Least Concern, Near Threatened or threatened, and if the latter, to what level – helps to inform decision making, shaping national and international environmental policies and on-the-ground conservation action. ","summary":"The European Red List of Birds is a review of the regional extinction risk of all 544 species of birds occurring regularly and naturally in Europe. The assessment, performed by BirdLife International for the fourth time (1994, 2004, 2015 and 2021), follows the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria applied at regional level. Evaluating the extinction risk of each species – i.e., Least Concern, Near Threatened or threatened, and if the latter, to what level – helps to inform decision making, shaping national and international environmental policies and on-the-ground conservation action. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/european-red-list-of-birds-2015","title":"European Red List of Birds 2015","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/european-red-list-of-birds-2015","date_published":"2025-01-23T20:25:07Z","content_text":"T he European Red List is a review of the conservation status of all European species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, medicinal plants and selected groups of beetles, molluscs, and vascular plants) according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level – in order that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status. This Red List publication summarises the results for European birds. ","summary":"T he European Red List is a review of the conservation status of all European species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, medicinal plants and selected groups of beetles, molluscs, and vascular plants) according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level – in order that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status. This Red List publication summarises the results for European birds. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcepfnet/sites/default/files/iba-statusreport2015pdf","title":"South Africa's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas Status Report - 2015","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcepfnet/sites/default/files/iba-statusreport2015pdf","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:40:26Z","content_text":"Many of the BirdLife International Country Partners use IBA assessments to generate IBA Status and Trends reports. BirdLife International has used these country reports to publish its own reports on the state of the IBA network across regions (such as southern Africa). This is South Africa’s first IBA Status Report and it will set the benchmark for future IBA Status and Trends reports, which will be published every four to five years.\nAs a Country Partner to BirdLife International, BirdLife South Africa is responsible for the management of the IBA Programme in South Africa. One of the programme’s objectives is to assess and monitor IBAs as well as coordinate and implement conservation actions within them. South Africa’s revised network (2015) of 112 IBAs currently spans approximately 14 136 750 ha. Of\nthese IBAs, only 51 (46%) are fully protected, while 33 (29%) have partial protection and 28 (25%) are completely unprotected. For the most part, this unprotected land is privately owned. IBAs are sites of global significance for bird conservation. They are identified nationally by significant presence of globally and regionally threatened bird species, assemblages of\nrestricted-range and biome-restricted species, and large concentrations of congregatory species. Often, IBAs also have a significant role to play in the conservation of other biodiversity and ecosystem services, including the provision of fresh water. ","summary":"Many of the BirdLife International Country Partners use IBA assessments to generate IBA Status and Trends reports. BirdLife International has used these country reports to publish its own reports on the state of the IBA network across regions (such as southern Africa). This is South Africa’s first IBA Status Report and it will set the benchmark for future IBA Status and Trends reports, which will be published every four to five years.\nAs a Country Partner to BirdLife International, BirdLife South Africa is responsible for the management of the IBA Programme in South Africa. One of the programme’s objectives is to assess and monitor IBAs as well as coordinate and implement conservation actions within them. South Africa’s revised network (2015) of 112 IBAs currently spans approximately 14 136 750 ha. Of\nthese IBAs, only 51 (46%) are fully protected, while 33 (29%) have partial protection and 28 (25%) are completely unprotected. For the most part, this unprotected land is privately owned. IBAs are sites of global significance for bird conservation. They are identified nationally by significant presence of globally and regionally threatened bird species, assemblages of\nrestricted-range and biome-restricted species, and large concentrations of congregatory species. Often, IBAs also have a significant role to play in the conservation of other biodiversity and ecosystem services, including the provision of fresh water. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/pticesi/naravovarstvo-in-raziskave/monitoringi/iba","title":"Monitoring of selected bird species in Internationally Important Bird Areas (IBA)","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/pticesi/naravovarstvo-in-raziskave/monitoringi/iba","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:38:18Z","content_text":"Within the framework of IBA monitoring, we monitor birds in different habitats (agricultural landscapes, forests, mountains, rivers and lakes, wetlands) and with different life strategies. The methods are adapted to this, largely inspired by those established abroad, but in detail we have adapted them to Slovenian conditions, relying on our own field experience. We are also in contact with foreign experts for advice on individual species.\n\nSome species are surveyed by playing a recording of their courtship calls at pre-determined survey points (e.g. woodpeckers and owls), while others are only recorded from spontaneously calling individuals on survey routes or plots (e.g. woodpecker, pied warbler, mountain lark). The sampling interval varies between species and is 1–5 years.","summary":"Within the framework of IBA monitoring, we monitor birds in different habitats (agricultural landscapes, forests, mountains, rivers and lakes, wetlands) and with different life strategies. The methods are adapted to this, largely inspired by those established abroad, but in detail we have adapted them to Slovenian conditions, relying on our own field experience. We are also in contact with foreign experts for advice on individual species.\n\nSome species are surveyed by playing a recording of their courtship calls at pre-determined survey points (e.g. woodpeckers and owls), while others are only recorded from spontaneously calling individuals on survey routes or plots (e.g. woodpecker, pied warbler, mountain lark). The sampling interval varies between species and is 1–5 years."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/abs/an-assessment-of-the-important-bird-areas-ibas-of-southern-paraguayan-grasslands/4eee38d7c55eeff4cc53569e6ee3888b","title":"An assessment of the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of southern Paraguayan grasslands","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/abs/an-assessment-of-the-important-bird-areas-ibas-of-southern-paraguayan-grasslands/4eee38d7c55eeff4cc53569e6ee3888b","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:37:30Z","content_text":"We present an assessment of the Southern Paraguayan Grasslands using Important Bird Areas (IBAs) located in a grassland landscape mosaic. Eleven IBAs in southern Paraguay were evaluated 10 years after their designation, using the BirdLife International method to assess the state, pressure, and response of these areas, during 2017 and 2018. Overall, the Pressure from ecosystem modifications led by fire, and fire suppression, agricultural expansion, and intensification due to farming and grazing have been identified as the major threats to IBAs. Regarding the State, 64% of the IBAs presented Very poor habitat quality to support grassland bird communities. The level of conservation Response was mostly negligible when considering conservation designation, management planning and conservation actions for the trigger species. Our results provide useful information to partners to reconsider these areas as IBAs as most of them no longer fulfill international requirements, we also highlight the importance of strengthening national policies to adequately protect natural grasslands.","summary":"We present an assessment of the Southern Paraguayan Grasslands using Important Bird Areas (IBAs) located in a grassland landscape mosaic. Eleven IBAs in southern Paraguay were evaluated 10 years after their designation, using the BirdLife International method to assess the state, pressure, and response of these areas, during 2017 and 2018. Overall, the Pressure from ecosystem modifications led by fire, and fire suppression, agricultural expansion, and intensification due to farming and grazing have been identified as the major threats to IBAs. Regarding the State, 64% of the IBAs presented Very poor habitat quality to support grassland bird communities. The level of conservation Response was mostly negligible when considering conservation designation, management planning and conservation actions for the trigger species. Our results provide useful information to partners to reconsider these areas as IBAs as most of them no longer fulfill international requirements, we also highlight the importance of strengthening national policies to adequately protect natural grasslands."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/issuucom/naturekenya/docs/2016ibareportfinalweb","title":"Kenya's Important Bird Areas: Status and Trends 2016","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/issuucom/naturekenya/docs/2016ibareportfinalweb","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:18:24Z","content_text":"The 2016 report is a summary of State, Pressure and Response at Kenya's 67 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (KBA's). Information was gathered from 44 representative sites using basic monitoring forms and secondary data (newspaper cuttings and other articles) and analysed for this report. For the 23 sites where data has not been received, the previous year's data has been used. The reports also describes two new IBA's, Mumoni and Mutitu Hill Forests, the 66th and 67th sites respectively that were added to the list in 2016. ","summary":"The 2016 report is a summary of State, Pressure and Response at Kenya's 67 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (KBA's). Information was gathered from 44 representative sites using basic monitoring forms and secondary data (newspaper cuttings and other articles) and analysed for this report. For the 23 sites where data has not been received, the previous year's data has been used. The reports also describes two new IBA's, Mumoni and Mutitu Hill Forests, the 66th and 67th sites respectively that were added to the list in 2016. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/issuucom/naturekenya/docs/2017ibareportfinal","title":"Kenya's Key Biodiversity Areas: Status and Trends 2017","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/issuucom/naturekenya/docs/2017ibareportfinal","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:17:30Z","content_text":"This report provides a summary of the State, Pressure and Response of Kenya's 67 Key Biodiversity Area's (KBA's). Data has been collected and analysed from 45 sites using basic monitoring forms and secondary data (newspaper reports and other articles). For the other 22 sites where data was not received, the data was extrapolated. The reports also highlights ongoing conservation efforts in the country and and provides details from detailed monitoring work in Kagamega Forest. ","summary":"This report provides a summary of the State, Pressure and Response of Kenya's 67 Key Biodiversity Area's (KBA's). Data has been collected and analysed from 45 sites using basic monitoring forms and secondary data (newspaper reports and other articles). For the other 22 sites where data was not received, the data was extrapolated. The reports also highlights ongoing conservation efforts in the country and and provides details from detailed monitoring work in Kagamega Forest. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/endemic-bird-areas-of-the-world-priorities-for-biodiversity-conservation","title":"Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for biodiversity conservation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/endemic-bird-areas-of-the-world-priorities-for-biodiversity-conservation","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:16:56Z","content_text":"Biodiversity—the total variety of life on earth—is being lost at an increasing pace. Despite growing popular support to stem this loss, conservation is hindered because financial resources are limited and the knowledge of the distribution of most organisms is poor.\n\nBirdLife International’s Endemic Bird Areas project makes a unique contribution to the identification of priorities for biodiversity conservation by using birds—one of the best known groups of animals—as indicators of areas of high endemism. Limited conservation resources can most effectively be directed at these places. ","summary":"Biodiversity—the total variety of life on earth—is being lost at an increasing pace. Despite growing popular support to stem this loss, conservation is hindered because financial resources are limited and the knowledge of the distribution of most organisms is poor.\n\nBirdLife International’s Endemic Bird Areas project makes a unique contribution to the identification of priorities for biodiversity conservation by using birds—one of the best known groups of animals—as indicators of areas of high endemism. Limited conservation resources can most effectively be directed at these places. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwwbsjorg/nature/hogo/others/iba-monitoring/iba-monitoring-report2015pdf","title":"Important Bird Areas in Japan 2015  (In Japanese)","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwwbsjorg/nature/hogo/others/iba-monitoring/iba-monitoring-report2015pdf","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:15:01Z","content_text":"IBA(Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas、重要野鳥生息地)は、国際的な鳥類保\n護組織 BirdLife International が、日本野鳥の会を含む世界 100 ヶ国以上の加盟団体と\n共同実施しているプロジェクトです。このプロジェクトは、鳥類を指標に、重要な自然\n環境を世界共通の基準によって選定し、個々の生息地はもちろん、すべての生息地をネ\nットワークとして世界全体で保全していくことを目的としています。\n日本では、2004 年 3 月に、全国あわせて 167 ヶ所を IBA として選定しました。今後、\n日本の IBA を保全していくには、IBA の現状を把握し、環境への脅威、指標となる鳥\n類個体数の現状および生息環境、保護対応についてのより具体的な情報や数値を集める\n必要があります。\nそこで当会では、2015 年 8 月に IBA の現状を把握するためのモニタリング調査を各\n地の支部や協力団体・施設へのアンケート形式で行いました。質問項目は、各国の IBA\nとあわせて集計できるように作られた、バードライフ・インターナショナルのアンケー\nト項目にあわせており、将来的には、この結果を海外の自然保護団体と共有できるデー\nタベース（Wild Bird Data Base）にも反映させてまいります。\n","summary":"IBA(Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas、重要野鳥生息地)は、国際的な鳥類保\n護組織 BirdLife International が、日本野鳥の会を含む世界 100 ヶ国以上の加盟団体と\n共同実施しているプロジェクトです。このプロジェクトは、鳥類を指標に、重要な自然\n環境を世界共通の基準によって選定し、個々の生息地はもちろん、すべての生息地をネ\nットワークとして世界全体で保全していくことを目的としています。\n日本では、2004 年 3 月に、全国あわせて 167 ヶ所を IBA として選定しました。今後、\n日本の IBA を保全していくには、IBA の現状を把握し、環境への脅威、指標となる鳥\n類個体数の現状および生息環境、保護対応についてのより具体的な情報や数値を集める\n必要があります。\nそこで当会では、2015 年 8 月に IBA の現状を把握するためのモニタリング調査を各\n地の支部や協力団体・施設へのアンケート形式で行いました。質問項目は、各国の IBA\nとあわせて集計できるように作られた、バードライフ・インターナショナルのアンケー\nト項目にあわせており、将来的には、この結果を海外の自然保護団体と共有できるデー\nタベース（Wild Bird Data Base）にも反映させてまいります。\n"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/pubdofdk/rapporter/31/download/2015-status-og-udviklingstendenser-for-danmarks-internationalt-vigtige-fugleomraader-ibaer","title":"Status and trends of Denmark's international Important Bird Areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/pubdofdk/rapporter/31/download/2015-status-og-udviklingstendenser-for-danmarks-internationalt-vigtige-fugleomraader-ibaer","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:09:12Z","content_text":"Lige siden Dansk Ornitologisk Forening blev stiftet i 1906,\nhar formålet med foreningen stort set været det samme:\nviden om fugle, beskyttelse af dem, formidling af fugleoplevelser og medlemmernes deltagelse i disse aktiviteter.\nCaretakerprojektet, der afsluttes her, indeholder det hele.\n","summary":"Lige siden Dansk Ornitologisk Forening blev stiftet i 1906,\nhar formålet med foreningen stort set været det samme:\nviden om fugle, beskyttelse af dem, formidling af fugleoplevelser og medlemmernes deltagelse i disse aktiviteter.\nCaretakerprojektet, der afsluttes her, indeholder det hele.\n"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwprirodanaturecz/indexphp/priroda/article/view/33/62","title":"Monitoring of the Bird Directive Annex I species and of the special protection areas in - 2008- 2010","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwprirodanaturecz/indexphp/priroda/article/view/33/62","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:08:09Z","content_text":"Ptáci jsou bezesporu jednou znejprobádanějších, ne-li vůbec nejlépe prozkoumanou sku-pinou živočichů vČeské republice. Svědčí otom četné celostátní aregionální atlasy hnízd-ního rozšíření, stoletá tradice kroužkování, dlouhodobé projekty sledující populační trendy hnízdících azimujících ptáků ivýsledky pracovních skupin specializovaných navybrané druhy či taxonomické skupiny. Apřesto jsou naše znalosti stále nedostatečné.","summary":"Ptáci jsou bezesporu jednou znejprobádanějších, ne-li vůbec nejlépe prozkoumanou sku-pinou živočichů vČeské republice. Svědčí otom četné celostátní aregionální atlasy hnízd-ního rozšíření, stoletá tradice kroužkování, dlouhodobé projekty sledující populační trendy hnízdících azimujících ptáků ivýsledky pracovních skupin specializovaných navybrané druhy či taxonomické skupiny. Apřesto jsou naše znalosti stále nedostatečné."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwprirodanaturecz/indexphp/priroda/article/view/25/50","title":"Monitoring of the Bird Directive Annex I species and of the Special Protection Areas in 2011-2013","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwprirodanaturecz/indexphp/priroda/article/view/25/50","date_published":"2025-01-23T12:06:58Z","content_text":"V  letech 2011–2013 proběhl třetí cyklus monitoringu druhů přílohy I směrnice o ptácích a  ptačích oblastí soustavy Natura 2000 v ČR. Koordinaci monitoringu opětovně zajišťo-vala ČSO společně s AOPK ČR, jejímž prostřednictvím byly veškeré práce po celé tříleté období také financovány. Po snížení finančních prostředků byl rozsah monitoringu od roku 2012 a zejména v roce 2013 omezen. Na zajištění monitoringu se podíleli členové ČSO, pracovníci AOPK ČR a správ národních parků a další spolupracovníci. Jmenný seznam všech spolupracovníků je uveden v samostatné kapitole Seznam spolupracovníků v letech 2011–2013","summary":"V  letech 2011–2013 proběhl třetí cyklus monitoringu druhů přílohy I směrnice o ptácích a  ptačích oblastí soustavy Natura 2000 v ČR. Koordinaci monitoringu opětovně zajišťo-vala ČSO společně s AOPK ČR, jejímž prostřednictvím byly veškeré práce po celé tříleté období také financovány. Po snížení finančních prostředků byl rozsah monitoringu od roku 2012 a zejména v roce 2013 omezen. Na zajištění monitoringu se podíleli členové ČSO, pracovníci AOPK ČR a správ národních parků a další spolupracovníci. Jmenný seznam všech spolupracovníků je uveden v samostatné kapitole Seznam spolupracovníků v letech 2011–2013"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/webarchiveorg/web/20221019225639/http/birdlifeorgau/documents/ibas-in-danger-the-state-of-australias-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas","title":"IBAs in Danger: The state of Australia’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/webarchiveorg/web/20221019225639/http/birdlifeorgau/documents/ibas-in-danger-the-state-of-australias-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas","date_published":"2025-01-23T11:51:22Z","content_text":"BirdLife International, the world’s largest nature conservation partnership, has identified over 12,000 sites of international significance for birds across the world as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). The conservation of\nmany bird species, and indeed the diversity of life, depends on protecting these sites. However, less than 40 per cent of these areas are\nformally protected. Monitoring reveals that many of the world’s most important bird areas, even those that are supposed to have the highest\nlevel of protection, such as national parks, are in danger of losing their natural habitats and the biodiversity that makes them important.\nIn response, BirdLife International has launched the IBAs in Danger campaign\nto identify IBAs at severe risk, and target conservation efforts to protect these sites through advocacy and local action. Australia is in the unenviable position\nof having 14 IBAs under levels of threat rated as Very High. Five of these have\nbeen designated as ‘in Danger’ as part of BirdLife International’s global campaign. Australia’s IBAs in Danger include sites threatened by inappropriate fire regimes, unsustainable agriculture, industrial development and introduced species. Four of the five Australian IBAs in Danger include\nnational parks. We clearly need to improve the management of Australia’s Protected Area Estate for the benefit of threatened birds.","summary":"BirdLife International, the world’s largest nature conservation partnership, has identified over 12,000 sites of international significance for birds across the world as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). The conservation of\nmany bird species, and indeed the diversity of life, depends on protecting these sites. However, less than 40 per cent of these areas are\nformally protected. Monitoring reveals that many of the world’s most important bird areas, even those that are supposed to have the highest\nlevel of protection, such as national parks, are in danger of losing their natural habitats and the biodiversity that makes them important.\nIn response, BirdLife International has launched the IBAs in Danger campaign\nto identify IBAs at severe risk, and target conservation efforts to protect these sites through advocacy and local action. Australia is in the unenviable position\nof having 14 IBAs under levels of threat rated as Very High. Five of these have\nbeen designated as ‘in Danger’ as part of BirdLife International’s global campaign. Australia’s IBAs in Danger include sites threatened by inappropriate fire regimes, unsustainable agriculture, industrial development and introduced species. Four of the five Australian IBAs in Danger include\nnational parks. We clearly need to improve the management of Australia’s Protected Area Estate for the benefit of threatened birds."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/priority-areas-for-vulture-conservation-in-the-horn-of-africa-largely-fall-outside-the-protected-area-network/644a624d7879275496ad5698747f7149","title":"Priority areas for vulture conservation in the Horn of Africa largely fall outside the protected area network","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/priority-areas-for-vulture-conservation-in-the-horn-of-africa-largely-fall-outside-the-protected-area-network/644a624d7879275496ad5698747f7149","date_published":"2025-01-23T11:44:48Z","content_text":"Vulture populations are in severe decline across Africa and prioritization of geographic areas for their conservation is urgently needed. To do so, we compiled three independent datasets on vulture occurrence from road-surveys, GPS-tracking, and citizen science (eBird), and used maximum entropy to build ensemble species distribution models (SDMs). We then identified spatial vulture conservation priorities in Ethiopia, a stronghold for vultures in Africa, while accounting for uncertainty in our predictions. We were able to build robust distribution models for five vulture species across the entirety of Ethiopia, including three Critically Endangered, one Endangered, and one Near Threatened species. ","summary":"Vulture populations are in severe decline across Africa and prioritization of geographic areas for their conservation is urgently needed. To do so, we compiled three independent datasets on vulture occurrence from road-surveys, GPS-tracking, and citizen science (eBird), and used maximum entropy to build ensemble species distribution models (SDMs). We then identified spatial vulture conservation priorities in Ethiopia, a stronghold for vultures in Africa, while accounting for uncertainty in our predictions. We were able to build robust distribution models for five vulture species across the entirety of Ethiopia, including three Critically Endangered, one Endangered, and one Near Threatened species. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/important-bird-areas-and-potential-ramsar-sites-in-europe","title":"Important Bird Areas and potential Ramsar Sites in Europe","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/important-bird-areas-and-potential-ramsar-sites-in-europe","date_published":"2025-01-22T14:10:37Z","content_text":"The geographic extent of Europe as considered in this report encompasses Greenland, western Russia (all administrative regions lying mainly west of the Ural mountains and Ural river), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cyprus and all of Turkey. The Important Bird Areas (IBA) Programme of BirdLife International is a worldwide initiative aimed at identifying and protecting a network of critical sites for the conservation of the world’s birds. The first IBA inventory to cover the whole of Europe was published in 1989 (Grimmett and Jones 1989). Facilitated since 1990 by a coordinator at the BirdLife International Secretariat and, increasingly, by national IBA Coordinators in individual countries, the actions of many individuals and organisations have coalesced into a large-scale European IBA Programme. This has resulted in the production of twenty national IBA inventories and recently a new pan-European inventory (Heath & Evans 2000). Building on these inventories, the European IBA Programme for the last decade has addressed site-oriented research and action, encompassing habitat management, monitoring, education, advocacy, and national and international legal protection. A total of 4,000 IBAs have been identified in Europe currently. The conservation status of each has been measured using seven core indicators, which has generated a large amount of data. Most of these data are available online at http://www.birdlife.org.uk/sites ","summary":"The geographic extent of Europe as considered in this report encompasses Greenland, western Russia (all administrative regions lying mainly west of the Ural mountains and Ural river), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cyprus and all of Turkey. The Important Bird Areas (IBA) Programme of BirdLife International is a worldwide initiative aimed at identifying and protecting a network of critical sites for the conservation of the world’s birds. The first IBA inventory to cover the whole of Europe was published in 1989 (Grimmett and Jones 1989). Facilitated since 1990 by a coordinator at the BirdLife International Secretariat and, increasingly, by national IBA Coordinators in individual countries, the actions of many individuals and organisations have coalesced into a large-scale European IBA Programme. This has resulted in the production of twenty national IBA inventories and recently a new pan-European inventory (Heath & Evans 2000). Building on these inventories, the European IBA Programme for the last decade has addressed site-oriented research and action, encompassing habitat management, monitoring, education, advocacy, and national and international legal protection. A total of 4,000 IBAs have been identified in Europe currently. The conservation status of each has been measured using seven core indicators, which has generated a large amount of data. Most of these data are available online at http://www.birdlife.org.uk/sites "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/an-assessment-of-land-cover-and-threats-in-important-bird-areas-in-africa","title":"An assessment of land cover and threats in Important Bird Areas in Africa","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/an-assessment-of-land-cover-and-threats-in-important-bird-areas-in-africa","date_published":"2025-01-22T10:04:10Z","content_text":"Over 1,200 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified in Africa, each meeting at least one of four objective criteria that identify it as an area of high conservation importance for birds. Despite their biodiversity value, many IBAs are threatened by habitat degradation and a high proportion lack legal protection. We integrate an inventory of these IBAs with remote sensing data to identify patterns that could be used to assess priorities for monitoring and conservation. Land cover composition in IBAs differed significantly from that in buffer zones of the same area immediately surrounding them and was significantly more homogeneous. Agriculture and deforestation were the most prevalent threats to IBAs, particularly in IBAs containing a high proportion of dense forest or shrub. Human population density within IBAs was no lower than that immediately outside IBAs, and was around three times higher than the average for sub-Saharan Africa. However, projected human population growth was lower than the average for sub-Saharan Africa, with the projected increase greatest in IBAs with a high proportional cover of dense forest and mosaic woodland and lowest in IBAs with a higher grassland component. Fifty seven percent of IBAs fell within or overlapped Protected Areas, though this percentage differed between different categories of IBA. IBAs that were included within Protected Areas supported a greater number of globally threatened bird species and contained proportionally more dense forest, woodland and shrub than IBAs falling outside Protected Areas. IBAs outside Protected Areas contained a high proportion of mosaic woodland and open water, suggesting that such habitats are under-protected in Africa. We suggest that because the most prevalent threats to IBAs involve changes in land cover that could be detected from satellites, remote sensing could play an important role in the monitoring of African IBAs. This would permit monitoring of a wider range of sites than is possible solely by conventional, ground-based approaches.","summary":"Over 1,200 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified in Africa, each meeting at least one of four objective criteria that identify it as an area of high conservation importance for birds. Despite their biodiversity value, many IBAs are threatened by habitat degradation and a high proportion lack legal protection. We integrate an inventory of these IBAs with remote sensing data to identify patterns that could be used to assess priorities for monitoring and conservation. Land cover composition in IBAs differed significantly from that in buffer zones of the same area immediately surrounding them and was significantly more homogeneous. Agriculture and deforestation were the most prevalent threats to IBAs, particularly in IBAs containing a high proportion of dense forest or shrub. Human population density within IBAs was no lower than that immediately outside IBAs, and was around three times higher than the average for sub-Saharan Africa. However, projected human population growth was lower than the average for sub-Saharan Africa, with the projected increase greatest in IBAs with a high proportional cover of dense forest and mosaic woodland and lowest in IBAs with a higher grassland component. Fifty seven percent of IBAs fell within or overlapped Protected Areas, though this percentage differed between different categories of IBA. IBAs that were included within Protected Areas supported a greater number of globally threatened bird species and contained proportionally more dense forest, woodland and shrub than IBAs falling outside Protected Areas. IBAs outside Protected Areas contained a high proportion of mosaic woodland and open water, suggesting that such habitats are under-protected in Africa. We suggest that because the most prevalent threats to IBAs involve changes in land cover that could be detected from satellites, remote sensing could play an important role in the monitoring of African IBAs. This would permit monitoring of a wider range of sites than is possible solely by conventional, ground-based approaches."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/progress-towards-targets-for-protected-area-coverage-in-mountains-a-multi-scale-assessment","title":"Progress towards targets for protected area coverage in mountains: a multi-scale assessment","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/progress-towards-targets-for-protected-area-coverage-in-mountains-a-multi-scale-assessment","date_published":"2025-01-21T15:35:15Z","content_text":"Through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the world’s governments recently adopted a target to protect “at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas” by 2020. One of the CBD’s thematic programmes of work focuses on mountains, given their importance for biodiversity and other ecosystem services, and their vulnerability to global change. We evaluated current levels of protection for mountains at multiple scales. Encouragingly, the CBD’s 17% target has already been almost met at a global scale: 16.9% of the world’s mountain areas outside Antarctica fall within protected areas. However, protection of mountain areas at finer scales remains uneven and is largely insufficient, with 63% (125) of countries, 57% (4) of realms, 67% (8) of biomes, 61% (437) of ecoregions and 53% (100) of Global 200 priority ecoregions falling short of the target. The target also calls for protected areas to be focussed “especially [at] areas of particular importance for biodiversity”. Important Bird Areas and Alliance for Zero Extinction sites represent existing global networks of such sites. It is therefore of major concern that 39% and 45% respectively of these sites in mountain areas remain entirely unprotected. Achievement of the 2020 CBD target in mountain regions will require more focused expansion of the protected area network in addition to enhanced management of individual sites and the wider countryside in order to ensure long term conservation of montane biodiversity and the other ecosystem services it provides.","summary":"Through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the world’s governments recently adopted a target to protect “at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas” by 2020. One of the CBD’s thematic programmes of work focuses on mountains, given their importance for biodiversity and other ecosystem services, and their vulnerability to global change. We evaluated current levels of protection for mountains at multiple scales. Encouragingly, the CBD’s 17% target has already been almost met at a global scale: 16.9% of the world’s mountain areas outside Antarctica fall within protected areas. However, protection of mountain areas at finer scales remains uneven and is largely insufficient, with 63% (125) of countries, 57% (4) of realms, 67% (8) of biomes, 61% (437) of ecoregions and 53% (100) of Global 200 priority ecoregions falling short of the target. The target also calls for protected areas to be focussed “especially [at] areas of particular importance for biodiversity”. Important Bird Areas and Alliance for Zero Extinction sites represent existing global networks of such sites. It is therefore of major concern that 39% and 45% respectively of these sites in mountain areas remain entirely unprotected. Achievement of the 2020 CBD target in mountain regions will require more focused expansion of the protected area network in addition to enhanced management of individual sites and the wider countryside in order to ensure long term conservation of montane biodiversity and the other ecosystem services it provides."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tessa-a-toolkit-for-rapid-assessment-of-ecosystem-services-at-sites-of-biodiversity-conservation-importance","title":"TESSA: a toolkit for rapid assessment of ecosystem services at sites of biodiversity conservation importance","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tessa-a-toolkit-for-rapid-assessment-of-ecosystem-services-at-sites-of-biodiversity-conservation-importance","date_published":"2025-01-21T15:23:00Z","content_text":"Sites that are important for biodiversity conservation can also provide significant benefits (i.e. ecosystem services) to people. Decision-makers need to know how change to a site, whether development or restoration, would affect the delivery of services and the distribution of any benefits among stakeholders. However, there are relatively few empirical studies that present this information. One reason is the lack of appropriate methods and tools for ecosystem service assessment that do not require substantial resources or specialist technical knowledge, or rely heavily upon existing data. Here we address this gap by describing the Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA). It guides local non-specialists through a selection of relatively accessible methods for identifying which ecosystem services may be important at a site, and for evaluating the magnitude of benefits that people obtain from them currently, compared with those expected under alternative land-uses. The toolkit recommends use of existing data where appropriate and places emphasis on enabling users to collect new field data at relatively low cost and effort. By using TESSA, the users could also gain valuable information about the alternative land-uses; and data collected in the field could be incorporated into regular monitoring programmes.","summary":"Sites that are important for biodiversity conservation can also provide significant benefits (i.e. ecosystem services) to people. Decision-makers need to know how change to a site, whether development or restoration, would affect the delivery of services and the distribution of any benefits among stakeholders. However, there are relatively few empirical studies that present this information. One reason is the lack of appropriate methods and tools for ecosystem service assessment that do not require substantial resources or specialist technical knowledge, or rely heavily upon existing data. Here we address this gap by describing the Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA). It guides local non-specialists through a selection of relatively accessible methods for identifying which ecosystem services may be important at a site, and for evaluating the magnitude of benefits that people obtain from them currently, compared with those expected under alternative land-uses. The toolkit recommends use of existing data where appropriate and places emphasis on enabling users to collect new field data at relatively low cost and effort. By using TESSA, the users could also gain valuable information about the alternative land-uses; and data collected in the field could be incorporated into regular monitoring programmes."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/comparing-field-based-monitoring-and-remote-sensing-using-deforestation-from-logging-at-important-bird-areas-as-a-case-study","title":"Comparing field-based monitoring and remote-sensing, using deforestation from logging at Important Bird Areas as a case study.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/comparing-field-based-monitoring-and-remote-sensing-using-deforestation-from-logging-at-important-bird-areas-as-a-case-study","date_published":"2025-01-21T15:18:40Z","content_text":"Monitoring sites of biodiversity conservation importance is essential for their conservation. It allows threats to be identified and quantified, priorities to be set, responses to be developed, and facilitates adaptive management. Field-based monitoring protocols need to be simple enough to be widely applied in countries with limited capacity while being sufficiently robust to provide widely reliable data. A simple, globally standardised monitoring protocol is now being implemented at thousands of sites of global avian conservation significance (Important Bird Areas, IBAs) worldwide, but the consistency of the approach across sites, countries and regions remains untested. We tested the match between estimates of the threat to IBAs from logging derived from such monitoring, with standardised deforestation rates derived from remote sensing data for 2000–2005 to determine if the two were consistently related. We found a significant positive correlation between the impact of the threat from logging and the proportion of forest lost (although the gross forest loss did not differ systematically with the two components of the threat impact: scope and severity). The results give us some confidence that the simple field-based protocol being implemented by a diversity of surveyors with varied technical capacity can generate meaningful and consistent monitoring data across the globe.","summary":"Monitoring sites of biodiversity conservation importance is essential for their conservation. It allows threats to be identified and quantified, priorities to be set, responses to be developed, and facilitates adaptive management. Field-based monitoring protocols need to be simple enough to be widely applied in countries with limited capacity while being sufficiently robust to provide widely reliable data. A simple, globally standardised monitoring protocol is now being implemented at thousands of sites of global avian conservation significance (Important Bird Areas, IBAs) worldwide, but the consistency of the approach across sites, countries and regions remains untested. We tested the match between estimates of the threat to IBAs from logging derived from such monitoring, with standardised deforestation rates derived from remote sensing data for 2000–2005 to determine if the two were consistently related. We found a significant positive correlation between the impact of the threat from logging and the proportion of forest lost (although the gross forest loss did not differ systematically with the two components of the threat impact: scope and severity). The results give us some confidence that the simple field-based protocol being implemented by a diversity of surveyors with varied technical capacity can generate meaningful and consistent monitoring data across the globe."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/avitourism-and-australian-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas","title":"Avitourism and Australian important bird and biodiversity areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/avitourism-and-australian-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas","date_published":"2025-01-21T15:10:50Z","content_text":"Formal protected areas will not provide adequate protection to conserve all biodiversity, and are not always designated using systematic or strategic criteria. Using a systematic process, the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) network was designed to highlight areas of conservation significance for birds (i.e. IBA trigger species), and more recently general biodiversity. Land use activities that take place in IBAs are diverse, including consumptive and non-consumptive activities. Avitourism in Australia, generally a non-consumptive activity, is reliant on the IBA network and the birds IBAs aim to protect. However, companies tend not to mention IBAs in their marketing. Furthermore, avitourism, like other nature-based tourism has the potential to be both a threatening process as well as a conservation tool. We aimed to assess the current use of IBAs among Australian-based avitour companies’ marketing, giving some indication of which IBAs are visited by avitourists on organised tours. We reviewed online avitour itineraries, recorded sites featuring in descriptions of avitours and which IBA trigger species are used to sell those tours. Of the 209 avitours reviewed, Queensland is the most featured state (n = 59 tours), and 73% feature at least one IBA. Daintree (n = 22) and Bruny Island (n = 17) IBAs are the most popular, nationally. Trigger species represent 34% (n = 254 out of 747) of species used in avitour descriptions. The most popular trigger species’ are wetland species including; Brolga (n = 37), Black-necked Stork (n = 30) and Magpie Goose (n = 27). Opportunities exist to increase collaboration between avitour companies and IBA stakeholders. Our results can provide guidance for managing sustainability of the avitourism industry at sites that feature heavily in avitour descriptions and enhance potential cooperation between avitour companies, IBA stakeholders and bird conservation organisations.","summary":"Formal protected areas will not provide adequate protection to conserve all biodiversity, and are not always designated using systematic or strategic criteria. Using a systematic process, the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) network was designed to highlight areas of conservation significance for birds (i.e. IBA trigger species), and more recently general biodiversity. Land use activities that take place in IBAs are diverse, including consumptive and non-consumptive activities. Avitourism in Australia, generally a non-consumptive activity, is reliant on the IBA network and the birds IBAs aim to protect. However, companies tend not to mention IBAs in their marketing. Furthermore, avitourism, like other nature-based tourism has the potential to be both a threatening process as well as a conservation tool. We aimed to assess the current use of IBAs among Australian-based avitour companies’ marketing, giving some indication of which IBAs are visited by avitourists on organised tours. We reviewed online avitour itineraries, recorded sites featuring in descriptions of avitours and which IBA trigger species are used to sell those tours. Of the 209 avitours reviewed, Queensland is the most featured state (n = 59 tours), and 73% feature at least one IBA. Daintree (n = 22) and Bruny Island (n = 17) IBAs are the most popular, nationally. Trigger species represent 34% (n = 254 out of 747) of species used in avitour descriptions. The most popular trigger species’ are wetland species including; Brolga (n = 37), Black-necked Stork (n = 30) and Magpie Goose (n = 27). Opportunities exist to increase collaboration between avitour companies and IBA stakeholders. Our results can provide guidance for managing sustainability of the avitourism industry at sites that feature heavily in avitour descriptions and enhance potential cooperation between avitour companies, IBA stakeholders and bird conservation organisations."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/foraging-behaviour-of-brown-boobies-sula-leucogaster-in-anguilla-lesser-antilles-preliminary-identification-of-at-sea-distribution-using-a-time-in-area-approach","title":"Foraging behaviour of Brown Boobies Sula leucogaster in Anguilla, Lesser Antilles: Preliminary identification of at-sea distribution using a time-in-area approach","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/foraging-behaviour-of-brown-boobies-sula-leucogaster-in-anguilla-lesser-antilles-preliminary-identification-of-at-sea-distribution-using-a-time-in-area-approach","date_published":"2025-01-21T15:02:36Z","content_text":"Seabird populations breeding in the UK Overseas Territories remain relatively understudied compared to UK seabird populations, despite their international importance. Here we present results from one of the first seabird tracking studies in the Caribbean region, of Brown Boobies Sula leucogaster breeding on the Important Bird Area (IBA) of Dog Island, Anguilla. Birds were tracked for 5–7 days during the chick-rearing period using GPS data loggers. We assess how representative the at-sea areas of use (utilisation distributions) identified from our sample of 16 birds are likely to be of those of the whole breeding colony, and examined the effect that grid cell size used in the ‘time-in-area’ analytical approach has on these predictions. We also assess the effectiveness of the BirdLife International’s seaward extension approach to marine IBA designation, where terrestrial IBAs are buffered a set distance using existing information on the foraging radii of the same or similar breeding species. Foraging trips were 125.3 ± 54.4 (SD) km long and lasted for 5.6 ± 1.95 hrs on average. Birds travelled into the waters of four neighbouring territories; Saint Martin, Saba, Saint Eustatius and Saint Barthelemy. Our models suggest that many more individuals would need to be tracked to fully identify important at-sea areas for this colony, although this depends on the scale that important areas are defined. Whilst a smaller grid cell size may be necessary for assessing fine-scale habitat use, a larger grid cell size may be more appropriate for marine spatial planning processes. Although the BirdLife Seaward extension approach using maximum foraging distance recorded from Brown Boobies at a Mexican colony predicted a smaller foraging area than that used by Dog Island birds this approach still incorporated at least 99% of their 50% UD, 98% of their 75% UD and 86% of the 95% UD.","summary":"Seabird populations breeding in the UK Overseas Territories remain relatively understudied compared to UK seabird populations, despite their international importance. Here we present results from one of the first seabird tracking studies in the Caribbean region, of Brown Boobies Sula leucogaster breeding on the Important Bird Area (IBA) of Dog Island, Anguilla. Birds were tracked for 5–7 days during the chick-rearing period using GPS data loggers. We assess how representative the at-sea areas of use (utilisation distributions) identified from our sample of 16 birds are likely to be of those of the whole breeding colony, and examined the effect that grid cell size used in the ‘time-in-area’ analytical approach has on these predictions. We also assess the effectiveness of the BirdLife International’s seaward extension approach to marine IBA designation, where terrestrial IBAs are buffered a set distance using existing information on the foraging radii of the same or similar breeding species. Foraging trips were 125.3 ± 54.4 (SD) km long and lasted for 5.6 ± 1.95 hrs on average. Birds travelled into the waters of four neighbouring territories; Saint Martin, Saba, Saint Eustatius and Saint Barthelemy. Our models suggest that many more individuals would need to be tracked to fully identify important at-sea areas for this colony, although this depends on the scale that important areas are defined. Whilst a smaller grid cell size may be necessary for assessing fine-scale habitat use, a larger grid cell size may be more appropriate for marine spatial planning processes. Although the BirdLife Seaward extension approach using maximum foraging distance recorded from Brown Boobies at a Mexican colony predicted a smaller foraging area than that used by Dog Island birds this approach still incorporated at least 99% of their 50% UD, 98% of their 75% UD and 86% of the 95% UD."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwscienceorg/doi/101126/protected-areas-and-global-conservation-of-migratory-birds","title":"Protected areas and global conservation of migratory birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwscienceorg/doi/101126/protected-areas-and-global-conservation-of-migratory-birds","date_published":"2025-01-21T14:55:16Z","content_text":"Migratory species depend on a suite of interconnected sites. Threats to unprotected links in these chains of sites are driving rapid population declines of migrants around the world, yet the extent to which different parts of the annual cycle are protected remains unknown. We show that just 9% of 1451 migratory birds are adequately covered by protected areas across all stages of their annual cycle, in comparison with 45% of nonmigratory birds. This discrepancy is driven by protected area placement that does not cover the full annual cycle of migratory species, indicating that global efforts toward coordinated conservation planning for migrants are yet to bear fruit. Better-targeted investment and enhanced coordination among countries are needed to conserve migratory species throughout their migratory cycle.","summary":"Migratory species depend on a suite of interconnected sites. Threats to unprotected links in these chains of sites are driving rapid population declines of migrants around the world, yet the extent to which different parts of the annual cycle are protected remains unknown. We show that just 9% of 1451 migratory birds are adequately covered by protected areas across all stages of their annual cycle, in comparison with 45% of nonmigratory birds. This discrepancy is driven by protected area placement that does not cover the full annual cycle of migratory species, indicating that global efforts toward coordinated conservation planning for migrants are yet to bear fruit. Better-targeted investment and enhanced coordination among countries are needed to conserve migratory species throughout their migratory cycle."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/quantifying-the-relative-irreplaceability-of-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas","title":"Quantifying the relative irreplaceability of important bird and biodiversity areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/quantifying-the-relative-irreplaceability-of-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas","date_published":"2025-01-21T14:47:13Z","content_text":"World governments have committed to increase the global protected areas coverage by 2020, but the effectiveness of this commitment for protecting biodiversity depends on where new protected areas are located. Threshold- and complementarity-based approaches have been independently used to identify important sites for biodiversity. We brought together these approaches by performing a complementarity-based analysis of irreplaceability in important bird and biodiversity areas (IBAs), which are sites identified using a threshold-based approach. We determined whether irreplaceability values are higher inside than outside IBAs and whether any observed difference depends on known characteristics of the IBAs. We focused on 3 regions with comprehensive IBA inventories and bird distribution atlases: Australia, southern Africa, and Europe. Irreplaceability values were significantly higher inside than outside IBAs, although differences were much smaller in Europe than elsewhere. Higher irreplaceability values in IBAs were associated with the presence and number of restricted-range species; number of criteria under which the site was identified; and mean geographic range size of the species for which the site was identified (trigger species). In addition, IBAs were characterized by higher irreplaceability values when using proportional species representation targets, rather than fixed targets. There were broadly comparable results when measuring irreplaceability for trigger species and when considering all bird species, which indicates a good surrogacy effect of the former. Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has convened a consultation to consolidate global standards for the identification of key biodiversity areas (KBAs), building from existing approaches such as IBAs. Our results informed this consultation, and in particular a proposed irreplaceability criterion that will allow the new KBA standard to draw on the strengths of both threshold- and complementarity-based approaches.","summary":"World governments have committed to increase the global protected areas coverage by 2020, but the effectiveness of this commitment for protecting biodiversity depends on where new protected areas are located. Threshold- and complementarity-based approaches have been independently used to identify important sites for biodiversity. We brought together these approaches by performing a complementarity-based analysis of irreplaceability in important bird and biodiversity areas (IBAs), which are sites identified using a threshold-based approach. We determined whether irreplaceability values are higher inside than outside IBAs and whether any observed difference depends on known characteristics of the IBAs. We focused on 3 regions with comprehensive IBA inventories and bird distribution atlases: Australia, southern Africa, and Europe. Irreplaceability values were significantly higher inside than outside IBAs, although differences were much smaller in Europe than elsewhere. Higher irreplaceability values in IBAs were associated with the presence and number of restricted-range species; number of criteria under which the site was identified; and mean geographic range size of the species for which the site was identified (trigger species). In addition, IBAs were characterized by higher irreplaceability values when using proportional species representation targets, rather than fixed targets. There were broadly comparable results when measuring irreplaceability for trigger species and when considering all bird species, which indicates a good surrogacy effect of the former. Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has convened a consultation to consolidate global standards for the identification of key biodiversity areas (KBAs), building from existing approaches such as IBAs. Our results informed this consultation, and in particular a proposed irreplaceability criterion that will allow the new KBA standard to draw on the strengths of both threshold- and complementarity-based approaches."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/shortfalls-and-solutions-for-meeting-national-and-global-protected-area-targets","title":"Shortfalls and solutions for meeting national and global protected area targets","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/shortfalls-and-solutions-for-meeting-national-and-global-protected-area-targets","date_published":"2025-01-21T14:42:43Z","content_text":"Governments have committed to conserving ≥17% of terrestrial and ≥10% of marine environments globally, especially “areas of particular importance for biodiversity” through “ecologically representative” Protected Area (PA) systems or other “area-based conservation measures”, while individual countries have committed to conserve 3–50% of their land area. We estimate that PAs currently cover 14.6% of terrestrial and 2.8% of marine extent, but 59–68% of ecoregions, 77–78% of important sites for biodiversity, and 57% of 25,380 species have inadequate coverage. The existing 19.7 million km2 terrestrial PA network needs only 3.3 million km2 to be added to achieve 17% terrestrial coverage. However, it would require nearly doubling to achieve, cost-efficiently, coverage targets for all countries, ecoregions, important sites, and species. Poorer countries have the largest relative shortfalls. Such extensive and rapid expansion of formal PAs is unlikely to be achievable. Greater focus is therefore needed on alternative approaches, including community- and privately managed sites and other effective area-based conservation measures.","summary":"Governments have committed to conserving ≥17% of terrestrial and ≥10% of marine environments globally, especially “areas of particular importance for biodiversity” through “ecologically representative” Protected Area (PA) systems or other “area-based conservation measures”, while individual countries have committed to conserve 3–50% of their land area. We estimate that PAs currently cover 14.6% of terrestrial and 2.8% of marine extent, but 59–68% of ecoregions, 77–78% of important sites for biodiversity, and 57% of 25,380 species have inadequate coverage. The existing 19.7 million km2 terrestrial PA network needs only 3.3 million km2 to be added to achieve 17% terrestrial coverage. However, it would require nearly doubling to achieve, cost-efficiently, coverage targets for all countries, ecoregions, important sites, and species. Poorer countries have the largest relative shortfalls. Such extensive and rapid expansion of formal PAs is unlikely to be achievable. Greater focus is therefore needed on alternative approaches, including community- and privately managed sites and other effective area-based conservation measures."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/formulating-a-list-of-sites-of-waterbird-conservation-significance-to-contribute-to-chinas-ecological-protection-red-line","title":"Formulating a list of sites of waterbird conservation significance to contribute to China’s Ecological Protection Red Line","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/formulating-a-list-of-sites-of-waterbird-conservation-significance-to-contribute-to-chinas-ecological-protection-red-line","date_published":"2025-01-21T14:33:28Z","content_text":"China makes a unique and vital contribution to maintaining global and regional waterbird diversity and conservation. Despite considerable historical conservation efforts, the continued loss of waterbird diversity and abundance necessitates a contemporary review of Chinese sites of conservation significance. The Ecological Protection Red Line (EPRL) was proposed by China’s Central Government in 2013 to protect areas providing crucial ecosystem services and provides the opportunity for such a review to enhance waterbird conservation in China. By incorporating various sources of data, surveys and information, we identified a suite of sites of waterbird conservation significance in China, following the Ramsar Site Criteria/Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Criteria. In total, we identified 422 sites, of which the existing 286 IBA sites formed the basis of the site safeguard network. Altogether, these sites of waterbird conservation significance constitute over 727,000 km2 (7.6% of China’s land surface). Over half of the area of these sites is outside China’s national nature reserves, thus confirming the importance and urgency of including them in the EPRL for the effective conservation of waterbird sites. We suggest that this assessment of sites of waterbird importance offers a useful model to apply to other taxa, such as terrestrial birds and mammals.","summary":"China makes a unique and vital contribution to maintaining global and regional waterbird diversity and conservation. Despite considerable historical conservation efforts, the continued loss of waterbird diversity and abundance necessitates a contemporary review of Chinese sites of conservation significance. The Ecological Protection Red Line (EPRL) was proposed by China’s Central Government in 2013 to protect areas providing crucial ecosystem services and provides the opportunity for such a review to enhance waterbird conservation in China. By incorporating various sources of data, surveys and information, we identified a suite of sites of waterbird conservation significance in China, following the Ramsar Site Criteria/Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Criteria. In total, we identified 422 sites, of which the existing 286 IBA sites formed the basis of the site safeguard network. Altogether, these sites of waterbird conservation significance constitute over 727,000 km2 (7.6% of China’s land surface). Over half of the area of these sites is outside China’s national nature reserves, thus confirming the importance and urgency of including them in the EPRL for the effective conservation of waterbird sites. We suggest that this assessment of sites of waterbird importance offers a useful model to apply to other taxa, such as terrestrial birds and mammals."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/clarifying-the-key-biodiversity-areas-partnership-and-programme","title":"Clarifying the Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership and Programme","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/clarifying-the-key-biodiversity-areas-partnership-and-programme","date_published":"2025-01-21T13:00:39Z","content_text":"The identification, safeguarding, and monitoring of important sites for plants must comprise a substantial proportion of any biodiversity conservation strategy.  In this light, we welcome the proposals by Darbyshire et al. (2017) of criteria for the identification of Important Plant Areas, and how these relate to the umbrella standard for the identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (IUCN 2016).","summary":"The identification, safeguarding, and monitoring of important sites for plants must comprise a substantial proportion of any biodiversity conservation strategy.  In this light, we welcome the proposals by Darbyshire et al. (2017) of criteria for the identification of Important Plant Areas, and how these relate to the umbrella standard for the identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (IUCN 2016)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/rapid-ecosystem-service-assessment-of-the-impact-of-koshi-tappu-wildlife-reserve-on-wetland-benefits-to-local-communities","title":"Rapid ecosystem service assessment of the impact of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve on wetland benefits to local communities","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/rapid-ecosystem-service-assessment-of-the-impact-of-koshi-tappu-wildlife-reserve-on-wetland-benefits-to-local-communities","date_published":"2025-01-21T12:50:14Z","content_text":"Wetlands are important for biodiversity and are critical for human livelihoods, providing ecosystem services such as clean water, food and global climate regulation. Many wetlands are threatened by land-use conversion, but creating protected areas to conserve them can benefit both biodiversity and people. However, protected areas can also have socio-economic costs for local communities. At Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Nepal, there has been historical conflict over the creation of the reserve. In light of a recent proposal to expand the protected area, we explored the use of a rapid ecosystem service assessment tool (TESSA) to assess the impact of the reserve on some of the key ecosystem services the site provides. Based on the ecosystem services assessed we estimated that the economic value of KTWR as a protected area is $350,000 y−1 ($20 ha−1y−1) less than the value of the wetland in an unprotected state. However, this difference is relatively small and is affected by the limitations of the approach and sensitivity of the values to market prices and the assumptions made, so we cannot draw clear conclusions on the overall impact of the reserve in relation to local livelihoods. However, we found TESSA to be a useful tool for engaging with the stakeholder community and for highlighting the potential impacts that land use decisions can have on key ecosystem services. In the context of informing the potential expansion of the reserve, it is clear that further intensive socio-economic assessment of the potential costs and benefits is necessary.","summary":"Wetlands are important for biodiversity and are critical for human livelihoods, providing ecosystem services such as clean water, food and global climate regulation. Many wetlands are threatened by land-use conversion, but creating protected areas to conserve them can benefit both biodiversity and people. However, protected areas can also have socio-economic costs for local communities. At Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Nepal, there has been historical conflict over the creation of the reserve. In light of a recent proposal to expand the protected area, we explored the use of a rapid ecosystem service assessment tool (TESSA) to assess the impact of the reserve on some of the key ecosystem services the site provides. Based on the ecosystem services assessed we estimated that the economic value of KTWR as a protected area is $350,000 y−1 ($20 ha−1y−1) less than the value of the wetland in an unprotected state. However, this difference is relatively small and is affected by the limitations of the approach and sensitivity of the values to market prices and the assumptions made, so we cannot draw clear conclusions on the overall impact of the reserve in relation to local livelihoods. However, we found TESSA to be a useful tool for engaging with the stakeholder community and for highlighting the potential impacts that land use decisions can have on key ecosystem services. In the context of informing the potential expansion of the reserve, it is clear that further intensive socio-economic assessment of the potential costs and benefits is necessary."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/correlates-of-long-term-land-cover-change-and-protected-area-performance-at-priority-conservation-sites-in-africa","title":"Correlates of long-term land-cover change and protected area performance at priority conservation sites in Africa","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/correlates-of-long-term-land-cover-change-and-protected-area-performance-at-priority-conservation-sites-in-africa","date_published":"2025-01-21T12:41:09Z","content_text":"The loss of natural habitats is a major threat to biodiversity, and protected area designation is one of the standard responses to this threat. However, greater understanding of the drivers of habitat loss and of the circumstances under which protected areas succeed or fail is still needed. We use visual assessment of satellite images to quantify land-cover change over periods of up to 30 years in and around a matched sample of protected and unprotected Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Africa. We modelled the annual survival of forests and other natural land covers as a function of a range of environmental and anthropic predictors of plausible drivers. The best-supported model indicated that survival rates of natural land cover were highest in steeper areas, at higher altitudes, in areas with lower human population densities and in areas where the cover of natural habitats was already higher at the start of the period. Survival rates of natural land cover in protected areas were, on average, around twice those in unprotected areas, but the differences between them varied along different environmental gradients. The overall survival rates of both protected and unprotected forests were significantly lower than those of other natural land-cover types, but the net benefit of protection, in terms of the absolute difference in rates of loss between protected and unprotected sites, was higher in forests. Interaction terms indicated that as slope and altitude increased, the natural protection offered by topography increasingly nullified the additional benefits of legislative protection. Furthermore, protected area designation offered reduced additional benefits to the survival of natural land cover in areas where rates of conversion were higher at the start of the observation period. Variation in the impacts of protected area status along different environmental gradients indicates that targets to improve the world's protected area network, such as Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, need to look beyond simple area-based metrics. Our methods and results contribute to the development of a protocol for prioritizing places where protection is likely to have the greatest effect.","summary":"The loss of natural habitats is a major threat to biodiversity, and protected area designation is one of the standard responses to this threat. However, greater understanding of the drivers of habitat loss and of the circumstances under which protected areas succeed or fail is still needed. We use visual assessment of satellite images to quantify land-cover change over periods of up to 30 years in and around a matched sample of protected and unprotected Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Africa. We modelled the annual survival of forests and other natural land covers as a function of a range of environmental and anthropic predictors of plausible drivers. The best-supported model indicated that survival rates of natural land cover were highest in steeper areas, at higher altitudes, in areas with lower human population densities and in areas where the cover of natural habitats was already higher at the start of the period. Survival rates of natural land cover in protected areas were, on average, around twice those in unprotected areas, but the differences between them varied along different environmental gradients. The overall survival rates of both protected and unprotected forests were significantly lower than those of other natural land-cover types, but the net benefit of protection, in terms of the absolute difference in rates of loss between protected and unprotected sites, was higher in forests. Interaction terms indicated that as slope and altitude increased, the natural protection offered by topography increasingly nullified the additional benefits of legislative protection. Furthermore, protected area designation offered reduced additional benefits to the survival of natural land cover in areas where rates of conversion were higher at the start of the observation period. Variation in the impacts of protected area status along different environmental gradients indicates that targets to improve the world's protected area network, such as Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, need to look beyond simple area-based metrics. Our methods and results contribute to the development of a protocol for prioritizing places where protection is likely to have the greatest effect."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-bold-successor-to-aichi-target-11","title":"A bold successor to Aichi Target 11","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-bold-successor-to-aichi-target-11","date_published":"2025-01-21T11:41:47Z","content_text":"Letter in Science.  Response to Policy Forum article \"Protected area targets post-2020\" (19 April, p.239) by P. Visconti et al. claiming focusing on areas of biodiversity importance and emphasizing monitoring outcomes would strengthen a successor to Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).","summary":"Letter in Science.  Response to Policy Forum article \"Protected area targets post-2020\" (19 April, p.239) by P. Visconti et al. claiming focusing on areas of biodiversity importance and emphasizing monitoring outcomes would strengthen a successor to Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/protected-area-targets-post-2020","title":"Protected area targets post-2020","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/protected-area-targets-post-2020","date_published":"2025-01-21T11:13:57Z","content_text":"In 2010, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, to catalyze national and international conservation efforts and reverse negative biodiversity trends. With the plan nearing an end, and attention turning toward a post-2020 biodiversity framework, it is timely to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness of the Aichi Targets. Aichi Target 11, concerned with establishing effective and representative networks of protected areas (PAs) by 2020, has attracted considerable interest owing to widespread recognition of the pivotal role that appropriately situated and well-managed PAs have in conserving biodiversity (1). Substantial advances have been made toward the areal components of Aichi Target 11, with the PA estate increasing by 2.3% on land and 5.4% in the oceans since 2010 and now covering 15% of land and inland freshwater globally and 7% of the oceans (2). However, species' population abundance within and outside PAs continues to decline (1), the placement and resourcing of the majority of PAs has been poor (1, 3, 4), and more than half of PAs established before 1992 have suffered increasing human pressure (5). We discuss four problems with Aichi Target 11 that have contributed to its limited achievement and propose a formulation for a target for site-based conservation beyond 2020 aimed at overcoming them.","summary":"In 2010, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, to catalyze national and international conservation efforts and reverse negative biodiversity trends. With the plan nearing an end, and attention turning toward a post-2020 biodiversity framework, it is timely to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness of the Aichi Targets. Aichi Target 11, concerned with establishing effective and representative networks of protected areas (PAs) by 2020, has attracted considerable interest owing to widespread recognition of the pivotal role that appropriately situated and well-managed PAs have in conserving biodiversity (1). Substantial advances have been made toward the areal components of Aichi Target 11, with the PA estate increasing by 2.3% on land and 5.4% in the oceans since 2010 and now covering 15% of land and inland freshwater globally and 7% of the oceans (2). However, species' population abundance within and outside PAs continues to decline (1), the placement and resourcing of the majority of PAs has been poor (1, 3, 4), and more than half of PAs established before 1992 have suffered increasing human pressure (5). We discuss four problems with Aichi Target 11 that have contributed to its limited achievement and propose a formulation for a target for site-based conservation beyond 2020 aimed at overcoming them."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/synergies-between-the-key-biodiversity-area-and-systematic-conservation-planning-approaches","title":"Synergies between the key biodiversity area and systematic conservation planning approaches","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/synergies-between-the-key-biodiversity-area-and-systematic-conservation-planning-approaches","date_published":"2025-01-21T11:06:18Z","content_text":"Systematic conservation planning and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are the two most widely used approaches for identifying important sites for biodiversity. However, there is limited advice for conservation policy makers and practitioners on when and how they should be combined. Here we provide such guidance, using insights from the recently developed Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs and the language of decision science to review and clarify their similarities and differences. We argue the two approaches are broadly similar, with both setting transparent environmental objectives and specifying actions. There is however greater contrast in the data used and actions involved, as the KBA approach uses biodiversity data alone and identifies sites for monitoring and vigilance actions at a minimum, whereas systematic conservation planning combines biodiversity and implementation-relevant data to guide management actions. This difference means there is much scope for combining approaches, so conservation planners should use KBA data in their analyses, setting context-specific targets for each KBA type, and planners and donors should use systematic conservation planning techniques when prioritizing between KBAs for management action. In doing so, they will benefit conservation policy, practice and research by building on the collaborations formed through the KBA Standard's development.","summary":"Systematic conservation planning and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are the two most widely used approaches for identifying important sites for biodiversity. However, there is limited advice for conservation policy makers and practitioners on when and how they should be combined. Here we provide such guidance, using insights from the recently developed Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs and the language of decision science to review and clarify their similarities and differences. We argue the two approaches are broadly similar, with both setting transparent environmental objectives and specifying actions. There is however greater contrast in the data used and actions involved, as the KBA approach uses biodiversity data alone and identifies sites for monitoring and vigilance actions at a minimum, whereas systematic conservation planning combines biodiversity and implementation-relevant data to guide management actions. This difference means there is much scope for combining approaches, so conservation planners should use KBA data in their analyses, setting context-specific targets for each KBA type, and planners and donors should use systematic conservation planning techniques when prioritizing between KBAs for management action. In doing so, they will benefit conservation policy, practice and research by building on the collaborations formed through the KBA Standard's development."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/at-sea-distribution-and-habitat-of-breeding-japanese-murrelets-synthliboramphus-wumizusume-implications-for-conservation-management","title":"At-sea distribution and habitat of breeding Japanese Murrelets Synthliboramphus wumizusume: implications for conservation management","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/at-sea-distribution-and-habitat-of-breeding-japanese-murrelets-synthliboramphus-wumizusume-implications-for-conservation-management","date_published":"2025-01-21T10:59:03Z","content_text":"The Japanese Murrelet Synthliboramphus wumizusume is a rare, globally ‘Vulnerable’ seabird, endemic to Japan and South Korea. However, little is known of its at-sea distribution, habitat or threats. We conducted several years of at-sea surveys around Japan to model Japanese Murrelet density in relation to habitat parameters, and make spatial predictions to assess the adequacy of the current Japanese marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) network for the species. During a five-year period, 3,485 km of at-sea surveys recorded 3,161 Japanese Murrelets around four breeding locations. Maximum murrelet group size was 90 individuals with a mean group size of 2.9 ± 4.2 individuals. Models of Japanese Murrelet at-sea density around the two largest breeding locations predicted that almost all murrelets occur within 30 km of the breeding colony and most within 10 km. Murrelets were predicted closer to the colony in May than in April and closer to the colony at a neritic colony than at an offshore island colony. Additionally, murrelets breeding on an offshore island colony also commuted to mainland neritic habitat for foraging. The marine habitat used by Japanese Murrelets differed between each of the four surveyed colonies, however oceanographic variables offered little explanatory power in models. Models with colony, month and year generated four foraging radii (9–39 km wide) containing murrelet densities of > 0.5 birds/km2. Using these radii the Japanese marine IBA network was found to capture between 95% and 25% of Japanese Murrelet at-sea habitat while breeding and appears appropriately configured to protect near-colony murrelet distributions. Given the range of marine habitats that breeding murrelets inhabit, our simple models offer an applicable method for predicting to unsampled colonies and generating ecologically-informed seaward extension radii. However, data on colony populations and further at-sea surveys are necessary to refine models and improve predictions.","summary":"The Japanese Murrelet Synthliboramphus wumizusume is a rare, globally ‘Vulnerable’ seabird, endemic to Japan and South Korea. However, little is known of its at-sea distribution, habitat or threats. We conducted several years of at-sea surveys around Japan to model Japanese Murrelet density in relation to habitat parameters, and make spatial predictions to assess the adequacy of the current Japanese marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) network for the species. During a five-year period, 3,485 km of at-sea surveys recorded 3,161 Japanese Murrelets around four breeding locations. Maximum murrelet group size was 90 individuals with a mean group size of 2.9 ± 4.2 individuals. Models of Japanese Murrelet at-sea density around the two largest breeding locations predicted that almost all murrelets occur within 30 km of the breeding colony and most within 10 km. Murrelets were predicted closer to the colony in May than in April and closer to the colony at a neritic colony than at an offshore island colony. Additionally, murrelets breeding on an offshore island colony also commuted to mainland neritic habitat for foraging. The marine habitat used by Japanese Murrelets differed between each of the four surveyed colonies, however oceanographic variables offered little explanatory power in models. Models with colony, month and year generated four foraging radii (9–39 km wide) containing murrelet densities of > 0.5 birds/km2. Using these radii the Japanese marine IBA network was found to capture between 95% and 25% of Japanese Murrelet at-sea habitat while breeding and appears appropriately configured to protect near-colony murrelet distributions. Given the range of marine habitats that breeding murrelets inhabit, our simple models offer an applicable method for predicting to unsampled colonies and generating ecologically-informed seaward extension radii. However, data on colony populations and further at-sea surveys are necessary to refine models and improve predictions."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/webarchiveorg/web/20221019225639/http/birdlifeorgau/documents/iba-ibas-in-danger-nov14pdf","title":"The state of Australia’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/webarchiveorg/web/20221019225639/http/birdlifeorgau/documents/iba-ibas-in-danger-nov14pdf","date_published":"2025-01-18T15:54:47Z","content_text":"BirdLife International, the world’s largest nature\nconservation partnership, has identified over\n12,000 sites of international significance for\nbirds across the world as Important Bird and\nBiodiversity Areas (IBAs). The conservation of\nmany bird species, and indeed the diversity\nof life, depends on protecting these sites.\nHowever, less than 40 per cent of these areas are\nformally protected. Monitoring reveals that many\nof the world’s most important bird areas, even\nthose that are supposed to have the highest\nlevel of protection, such as national parks, are\nin danger of losing their natural habitats and\nthe biodiversity that makes them important.\nIn response, BirdLife International has\nlaunched the IBAs in Danger campaign\nto identify IBAs at severe risk, and target\nconservation efforts to protect these sites\nthrough advocacy and local action.\nAustralia is in the unenviable position\nof having 14 IBAs under levels of threat\nrated as Very High. Five of these have\nbeen designated as ‘in Danger’ as part of\nBirdLife International’s global campaign.","summary":"BirdLife International, the world’s largest nature\nconservation partnership, has identified over\n12,000 sites of international significance for\nbirds across the world as Important Bird and\nBiodiversity Areas (IBAs). The conservation of\nmany bird species, and indeed the diversity\nof life, depends on protecting these sites.\nHowever, less than 40 per cent of these areas are\nformally protected. Monitoring reveals that many\nof the world’s most important bird areas, even\nthose that are supposed to have the highest\nlevel of protection, such as national parks, are\nin danger of losing their natural habitats and\nthe biodiversity that makes them important.\nIn response, BirdLife International has\nlaunched the IBAs in Danger campaign\nto identify IBAs at severe risk, and target\nconservation efforts to protect these sites\nthrough advocacy and local action.\nAustralia is in the unenviable position\nof having 14 IBAs under levels of threat\nrated as Very High. Five of these have\nbeen designated as ‘in Danger’ as part of\nBirdLife International’s global campaign."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/zslpublicationsonlinelibrarywileycom/doi/101111/acv12632","title":"Shifting boundaries: taxonomy and site-based conservation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/zslpublicationsonlinelibrarywileycom/doi/101111/acv12632","date_published":"2025-01-18T15:22:10Z","content_text":"We used a comprehensive taxonomic review of birds to assess the validity of concerns that taxonomic revisions lead to increases in numbers of threatened species, and undermine existing site-based conservation efforts. Our results suggest that there was no increase in the average extinction risk as measured through IUCN Red List categories; there are many possible reasons for this, which will vary both geographically, and between species.","summary":"We used a comprehensive taxonomic review of birds to assess the validity of concerns that taxonomic revisions lead to increases in numbers of threatened species, and undermine existing site-based conservation efforts. Our results suggest that there was no increase in the average extinction risk as measured through IUCN Red List categories; there are many possible reasons for this, which will vary both geographically, and between species."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s000632071931170x","title":"Positive impacts of important bird and biodiversity areas on wintering waterbirds under changing temperatures throughout Europe and North Africa","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s000632071931170x","date_published":"2025-01-18T15:18:38Z","content_text":"Migratory waterbirds require an effectively conserved cohesive network of wetland areas throughout their range and life-cycle. Under rapid climate change, protected area (PA) networks need to be able to accommodate climate-driven range shifts in wildlife if they are to continue to be effective in the future. Thus, we investigated geographical variation in the relationship between local temperature anomaly and the abundance of 61 waterbird species during the wintering season across Europe and North Africa during 1990–2015. We also compared the spatio-temporal effects on abundance of sites designated as PAs, Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), both, or neither designation (Unlisted). Waterbird abundance was positively correlated with temperature anomaly, with this pattern being strongest towards north and east Europe. Waterbird abundance was higher inside IBAs, whether they were legally protected or not. Trends in waterbird abundance were also consistently more positive inside both protected and unprotected IBAs across the whole study region, and were positive in Unlisted wetlands in southwestern Europe and North Africa.","summary":"Migratory waterbirds require an effectively conserved cohesive network of wetland areas throughout their range and life-cycle. Under rapid climate change, protected area (PA) networks need to be able to accommodate climate-driven range shifts in wildlife if they are to continue to be effective in the future. Thus, we investigated geographical variation in the relationship between local temperature anomaly and the abundance of 61 waterbird species during the wintering season across Europe and North Africa during 1990–2015. We also compared the spatio-temporal effects on abundance of sites designated as PAs, Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), both, or neither designation (Unlisted). Waterbird abundance was positively correlated with temperature anomaly, with this pattern being strongest towards north and east Europe. Waterbird abundance was higher inside IBAs, whether they were legally protected or not. Trends in waterbird abundance were also consistently more positive inside both protected and unprotected IBAs across the whole study region, and were positive in Unlisted wetlands in southwestern Europe and North Africa."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/changes-in-the-waterbird-community-of-the-parc-national-du-banc-darguin-mauritania-19802017/b0a93d896b55123536b7bea3f3e13372","title":"Changes in the waterbird community of the Parc National du Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, 1980–2017","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/changes-in-the-waterbird-community-of-the-parc-national-du-banc-darguin-mauritania-19802017/b0a93d896b55123536b7bea3f3e13372","date_published":"2025-01-18T15:14:58Z","content_text":"The Parc National du Banc d’Arguin in Mauritania hosts the largest concentrations of coastal waterbirds along the East Atlantic Flyway. In spite of this importance, a review of the changes in the numbers of waterbirds in the area is lacking since the first complete count in 1980. Here we analysed the seven complete waterbird counts made since then, and the additional yearly counts made in one subunit (Iwik region) since 2003. We present evidence for changes in the community composition of waterbirds over the past four decades. Total waterbird numbers showed a decrease between 1980 and 2017, with only Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus showing a significant increase in numbers. Five species showed significant declines: Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus, Red Knot Calidris canutus, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, and Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus.","summary":"The Parc National du Banc d’Arguin in Mauritania hosts the largest concentrations of coastal waterbirds along the East Atlantic Flyway. In spite of this importance, a review of the changes in the numbers of waterbirds in the area is lacking since the first complete count in 1980. Here we analysed the seven complete waterbird counts made since then, and the additional yearly counts made in one subunit (Iwik region) since 2003. We present evidence for changes in the community composition of waterbirds over the past four decades. Total waterbird numbers showed a decrease between 1980 and 2017, with only Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus showing a significant increase in numbers. Five species showed significant declines: Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus, Red Knot Calidris canutus, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, and Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwnaturecom/articles/s41586-020-2705-y","title":"Bending the curve of terrestrial biodiversity needs an integrated strategy","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwnaturecom/articles/s41586-020-2705-y","date_published":"2025-01-18T15:06:54Z","content_text":"Increased efforts are required to prevent further losses to terrestrial biodiversity and the ecosystem services that it  provides1,2. Ambitious targets have been proposed, such as reversing the declining trends in biodiversity3; however, just feeding the growing human population will make this a challenge4. Here we use an ensemble of land-use and biodiversity models to assess whether—and how—humanity can reverse the declines in terrestrial biodiversity caused by habitat conversion, which is a major threat to biodiversity5. We show that immediate efforts, consistent with the broader sustainability agenda but of unprecedented ambition and coordination, could enable the provision of food for the growing human population while reversing the global terrestrial biodiversity trends caused by habitat conversion. If we decide to increase the extent of land under conservation management, restore degraded land and generalize landscape-level conservation planning, biodiversity trends from habitat conversion could become positive by the mid-twenty-first century on average across models (confidence interval, 2042–2061), but this was not the case for all models. Food prices could increase and, on average across models, almost half (confidence interval, 34–50%) of the future biodiversity losses could not be avoided.","summary":"Increased efforts are required to prevent further losses to terrestrial biodiversity and the ecosystem services that it  provides1,2. Ambitious targets have been proposed, such as reversing the declining trends in biodiversity3; however, just feeding the growing human population will make this a challenge4. Here we use an ensemble of land-use and biodiversity models to assess whether—and how—humanity can reverse the declines in terrestrial biodiversity caused by habitat conversion, which is a major threat to biodiversity5. We show that immediate efforts, consistent with the broader sustainability agenda but of unprecedented ambition and coordination, could enable the provision of food for the growing human population while reversing the global terrestrial biodiversity trends caused by habitat conversion. If we decide to increase the extent of land under conservation management, restore degraded land and generalize landscape-level conservation planning, biodiversity trends from habitat conversion could become positive by the mid-twenty-first century on average across models (confidence interval, 2042–2061), but this was not the case for all models. Food prices could increase and, on average across models, almost half (confidence interval, 34–50%) of the future biodiversity losses could not be avoided."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s2590332220300439","title":"Area Requirements to Safeguard Earth's Marine Species","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s2590332220300439","date_published":"2025-01-18T15:00:28Z","content_text":"Despite global policy commitments to preserve Earth's marine biodiversity, many species are in a state of decline. Using data on 22,885 marine species, we identify 8.5 million km2 of priority areas that complement existing areas of conservation and biodiversity importance. New conservation priorities are found in over half (56%) of all coastal nations, including key priority regions in the northwest Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. We identify where different conservation actions, ranging from marine protected areas to broader policy approaches, might best overcome anthropogenic threats to these areas. This analysis shows 26%–41% of the ocean (depending on targets used for species representation) needs to be effectively managed and conserved through a combination of site-based actions and broad policy responses to achieve global conservation and sustainable development agendas.","summary":"Despite global policy commitments to preserve Earth's marine biodiversity, many species are in a state of decline. Using data on 22,885 marine species, we identify 8.5 million km2 of priority areas that complement existing areas of conservation and biodiversity importance. New conservation priorities are found in over half (56%) of all coastal nations, including key priority regions in the northwest Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. We identify where different conservation actions, ranging from marine protected areas to broader policy approaches, might best overcome anthropogenic threats to these areas. This analysis shows 26%–41% of the ocean (depending on targets used for species representation) needs to be effectively managed and conserved through a combination of site-based actions and broad policy responses to achieve global conservation and sustainable development agendas."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwnaturecom/articles/s41467-020-18230-0","title":"Effectiveness of protected areas in conserving tropical forest birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwnaturecom/articles/s41467-020-18230-0","date_published":"2025-01-17T19:01:40Z","content_text":"Protected areas (PAs) are the cornerstones of global biodiversity conservation efforts, but to fulfil this role they must be effective at conserving the ecosystems and species that occur within their boundaries. Adequate monitoring datasets that allow comparing biodiversity between protected and unprotected sites are lacking in tropical regions. Here we use the largest citizen science biodiversity dataset – eBird – to quantify the extent to which protected areas in eight tropical forest biodiversity hotspots are effective at retaining bird diversity. We find generally positive effects of protection on the diversity of bird species that are forest-dependent, endemic to the hotspots, or threatened or Near Threatened, but not on overall bird species richness. Furthermore, we show that in most of the hotspots examined this benefit is driven by protected areas preventing both forest loss and degradation. Our results provide evidence that, on average, protected areas contribute measurably to conserving bird species in some of the world’s most diverse and threatened terrestrial ecosystems.","summary":"Protected areas (PAs) are the cornerstones of global biodiversity conservation efforts, but to fulfil this role they must be effective at conserving the ecosystems and species that occur within their boundaries. Adequate monitoring datasets that allow comparing biodiversity between protected and unprotected sites are lacking in tropical regions. Here we use the largest citizen science biodiversity dataset – eBird – to quantify the extent to which protected areas in eight tropical forest biodiversity hotspots are effective at retaining bird diversity. We find generally positive effects of protection on the diversity of bird species that are forest-dependent, endemic to the hotspots, or threatened or Near Threatened, but not on overall bird species richness. Furthermore, we show that in most of the hotspots examined this benefit is driven by protected areas preventing both forest loss and degradation. Our results provide evidence that, on average, protected areas contribute measurably to conserving bird species in some of the world’s most diverse and threatened terrestrial ecosystems."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/abs/pii/s1470160x20304349","title":"Assessment of national-level progress towards elements of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/abs/pii/s1470160x20304349","date_published":"2025-01-17T18:59:15Z","content_text":"Progress towards the Aichi Targets adopted through the Convention on Biological Diversity has been measured globally via indicators linked to elements of targets (the 20 targets consist of 54 elements), and nationally based on reporting by parties to the convention in the 5th (2010–2014) and 6th (2014–2018) National Reports. Here we used selected indicators that are readily available for each country to score national level progress (‘moving towards the target’, ‘little or no progress’, or ‘moving away from target’) for 11 elements of eight Aichi Targets (1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 19, 20). Across the selected indicators, elements, and countries for which data were available, in 24.2% of cases countries were moving towards the elements, for 22.3% they were moving away, and for 53.5% there was little or no progress. This overall level of progress is similar to progress to targets as reported in the 5th and 6th National Reports. National progress to three of the 11 elements was positively correlated with progress to targets reported in the 5th National Reports, while progress to none of the elements was correlated with progress reported in the 6th National Reports. ","summary":"Progress towards the Aichi Targets adopted through the Convention on Biological Diversity has been measured globally via indicators linked to elements of targets (the 20 targets consist of 54 elements), and nationally based on reporting by parties to the convention in the 5th (2010–2014) and 6th (2014–2018) National Reports. Here we used selected indicators that are readily available for each country to score national level progress (‘moving towards the target’, ‘little or no progress’, or ‘moving away from target’) for 11 elements of eight Aichi Targets (1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 19, 20). Across the selected indicators, elements, and countries for which data were available, in 24.2% of cases countries were moving towards the elements, for 22.3% they were moving away, and for 53.5% there was little or no progress. This overall level of progress is similar to progress to targets as reported in the 5th and 6th National Reports. National progress to three of the 11 elements was positively correlated with progress to targets reported in the 5th National Reports, while progress to none of the elements was correlated with progress reported in the 6th National Reports. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/abs/pii/s1470160x19307575","title":"Repeatable and standardised monitoring of threats to Key Biodiversity Areas in Africa using Google Earth Engine","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/abs/pii/s1470160x19307575","date_published":"2025-01-17T18:55:37Z","content_text":"Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites that make significant contributions to the global persistence of biodiversity, but identification of sites alone is not sufficient to ensure their conservation. Monitoring is essential if pressures on these sites are to be identified, priorities set and appropriate responses developed. Here, we describe how analysis of freely available data on a cloud-processing platform (Google Earth Engine) can be used to assess changes in three example remotely sensed threat indicators (fire frequency, tree loss and night-time lights) over time on KBAs in Africa. We develop easily repeatable methods with shared code that could be applied across any geographic area and could be adapted and applied to other datasets as they become available. ","summary":"Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites that make significant contributions to the global persistence of biodiversity, but identification of sites alone is not sufficient to ensure their conservation. Monitoring is essential if pressures on these sites are to be identified, priorities set and appropriate responses developed. Here, we describe how analysis of freely available data on a cloud-processing platform (Google Earth Engine) can be used to assess changes in three example remotely sensed threat indicators (fire frequency, tree loss and night-time lights) over time on KBAs in Africa. We develop easily repeatable methods with shared code that could be applied across any geographic area and could be adapted and applied to other datasets as they become available. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-ibas-their-impact-on-conservation-policy-advocacy-and-action/717203a1c8231f572b0c8b6c1c1a1011","title":"Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs): their impact on conservation policy, advocacy and action","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-ibas-their-impact-on-conservation-policy-advocacy-and-action/717203a1c8231f572b0c8b6c1c1a1011","date_published":"2025-01-17T18:30:39Z","content_text":"BirdLife International’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) programme started in Western Europe in the late 1970s and now has global coverage. Originally, IBAs were called Important Bird Areas. The name change to Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas was approved by BirdLife’s Global Council in June 2014 in order to reflect the wider biodiversity significance of these sites. The programme has identified, documented and mapped over 13,000 sites of international significance for birds, making it the world’s largest network of sites of biodiversity importance. Elsewhere we have reviewed the history of the IBA programme, the criteria and process for site identification, and the characteristics of the resulting network (Reference Donald, Fishpool, Ajagbe, Bennun, Bunting, Burfield, Butchart, Capellan, Crosby, Dias, Diaz, Evans, Grimmett, Heath, Jones, Lascelles, Merriman, O´Brien, Ramirez, Waliczky and WegeDonald et al. in press), while Bennun (Reference Bennun, Brooks and Arico2013) provided a brief overview of IBA policy linkages, local engagement and the relationship between IBAs and wider biodiversity. Here, we review the conservation impacts of the IBA programme, including its influence on international conservation policies, national site protection and land-use planning, and action at individual sites.","summary":"BirdLife International’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) programme started in Western Europe in the late 1970s and now has global coverage. Originally, IBAs were called Important Bird Areas. The name change to Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas was approved by BirdLife’s Global Council in June 2014 in order to reflect the wider biodiversity significance of these sites. The programme has identified, documented and mapped over 13,000 sites of international significance for birds, making it the world’s largest network of sites of biodiversity importance. Elsewhere we have reviewed the history of the IBA programme, the criteria and process for site identification, and the characteristics of the resulting network (Reference Donald, Fishpool, Ajagbe, Bennun, Bunting, Burfield, Butchart, Capellan, Crosby, Dias, Diaz, Evans, Grimmett, Heath, Jones, Lascelles, Merriman, O´Brien, Ramirez, Waliczky and WegeDonald et al. in press), while Bennun (Reference Bennun, Brooks and Arico2013) provided a brief overview of IBA policy linkages, local engagement and the relationship between IBAs and wider biodiversity. Here, we review the conservation impacts of the IBA programme, including its influence on international conservation policies, national site protection and land-use planning, and action at individual sites."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/conbioonlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101111/conl12435","title":"An assessment of threats to terrestrial protected areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/conbioonlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101111/conl12435","date_published":"2025-01-17T18:24:18Z","content_text":"Protected areas (PAs) represent a cornerstone of efforts to safeguard biodiversity, and if effective should reduce threats to biodiversity. We present the most comprehensive assessment of threats to terrestrial PAs, based on in situ data from 1,961 PAs across 149 countries, assessed by PA managers and local stakeholders. Unsustainable hunting was the most commonly reported threat and occurred in 61% of all PAs, followed by disturbance from recreational activities occurring in 55%, and natural system modifications from fire or its suppression in 49%. The number of reported threats was lower in PAs with greater remoteness, higher control of corruption, and lower human development scores. The main reported threats in developing countries were linked to overexploitation for resource extraction, while negative impacts from recreational activities dominated in developed countries. ","summary":"Protected areas (PAs) represent a cornerstone of efforts to safeguard biodiversity, and if effective should reduce threats to biodiversity. We present the most comprehensive assessment of threats to terrestrial PAs, based on in situ data from 1,961 PAs across 149 countries, assessed by PA managers and local stakeholders. Unsustainable hunting was the most commonly reported threat and occurred in 61% of all PAs, followed by disturbance from recreational activities occurring in 55%, and natural system modifications from fire or its suppression in 49%. The number of reported threats was lower in PAs with greater remoteness, higher control of corruption, and lower human development scores. The main reported threats in developing countries were linked to overexploitation for resource extraction, while negative impacts from recreational activities dominated in developed countries. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/portalsiucnorg/library/sites/library/files/documents/pag-028-enpdf","title":"Tools for measuring, modelling and valuing ecosystems services: Guidance for Key Biodiversity Areas, natural World Heritage Sites, and protected areas.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/portalsiucnorg/library/sites/library/files/documents/pag-028-enpdf","date_published":"2025-01-17T18:20:33Z","content_text":"There is an increasing interest in measuring, modelling, and\nvaluing ecosystem services, the benefits that nature provides to\npeople. Ecosystem services (ES) include provisioning services\nsuch as firewood, fisheries, and raw materials; regulating\nservices such as climate regulation, regulation of water flows,\nand water purification; and cultural services such as recreation,\nscenic values, spiritual values, or values that are important\nfor cultural heritage or identity. ES are produced as a result of\necosystem processes and functions such as soil formation,\nnutrient cycling and primary production. ES then flow to people\nin the form of benefits or goods, supporting human well-being.","summary":"There is an increasing interest in measuring, modelling, and\nvaluing ecosystem services, the benefits that nature provides to\npeople. Ecosystem services (ES) include provisioning services\nsuch as firewood, fisheries, and raw materials; regulating\nservices such as climate regulation, regulation of water flows,\nand water purification; and cultural services such as recreation,\nscenic values, spiritual values, or values that are important\nfor cultural heritage or identity. ES are produced as a result of\necosystem processes and functions such as soil formation,\nnutrient cycling and primary production. ES then flow to people\nin the form of benefits or goods, supporting human well-being."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change-unfccc","title":"United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change-unfccc","date_published":"2025-01-17T14:46:13Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/topics/forests","title":"Forests","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/topics/forests","date_published":"2025-01-17T10:34:51Z","content_text":"Nearly two-thirds of bird species are found in forests, including the majority of globally threatened species, and many can live nowhere else.","summary":"Nearly two-thirds of bird species are found in forests, including the majority of globally threatened species, and many can live nowhere else."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/topics/climate-change","title":"Climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/topics/climate-change","date_published":"2025-01-17T10:28:30Z","content_text":"Our climate is changing, with notable impacts on birds and biodiversity around the world. Healthy ecosystems are crucial for climate change mitigation and adaptation. ","summary":"Our climate is changing, with notable impacts on birds and biodiversity around the world. Healthy ecosystems are crucial for climate change mitigation and adaptation. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/topics/birds-energy","title":"Birds and energy","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/topics/birds-energy","date_published":"2025-01-17T10:25:01Z","content_text":"Renewable energy is crucial for tackling climate change, but it can harm species and ecosystems if placed in wildlife sensitive areas","summary":"Renewable energy is crucial for tackling climate change, but it can harm species and ecosystems if placed in wildlife sensitive areas"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/b9780128096659098293via3dihub","title":"Key Biodiversity Areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/b9780128096659098293via3dihub","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:49:19Z","content_text":"Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites contributing significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity. KBAs are identified by national constituencies using globally standardized criteria and quantitative thresholds which can be applied to species and ecosystems in terrestrial, inland water, and marine environments. With more than 15,000 identified to date globally, KBAs are guiding the strategic expansion of protected area networks by governments and civil society, informing the designation of sites under international conventions, supporting national and regional conservation planning and priority-setting, informing private sector safeguard policies and environmental standards, and providing increased recognition for and investment in site conservation efforts by local and indigenous communities.","summary":"Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites contributing significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity. KBAs are identified by national constituencies using globally standardized criteria and quantitative thresholds which can be applied to species and ecosystems in terrestrial, inland water, and marine environments. With more than 15,000 identified to date globally, KBAs are guiding the strategic expansion of protected area networks by governments and civil society, informing the designation of sites under international conventions, supporting national and regional conservation planning and priority-setting, informing private sector safeguard policies and environmental standards, and providing increased recognition for and investment in site conservation efforts by local and indigenous communities."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-ibas-the-development-and-characteristics-of-a-global-inventory-of-key-sites-for-biodiversity/ccbca00b56f9f1cd6e049af22ca3792a","title":"Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs): the development and characteristics of a global inventory of key sites for biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-ibas-the-development-and-characteristics-of-a-global-inventory-of-key-sites-for-biodiversity/ccbca00b56f9f1cd6e049af22ca3792a","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:46:06Z","content_text":"mportant Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) are sites identified as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations on the basis of an internationally agreed set of criteria. We present the first review of the development and spread of the IBA concept since it was launched by BirdLife International (then ICBP) in 1979 and examine some of the characteristics of the resulting inventory. Over 13,000 global and regional IBAs have so far been identified and documented in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in almost all of the world’s countries and territories, making this the largest global network of sites of significance for biodiversity. IBAs have been identified using standardised, data-driven criteria that have been developed and applied at global and regional levels.","summary":"mportant Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) are sites identified as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations on the basis of an internationally agreed set of criteria. We present the first review of the development and spread of the IBA concept since it was launched by BirdLife International (then ICBP) in 1979 and examine some of the characteristics of the resulting inventory. Over 13,000 global and regional IBAs have so far been identified and documented in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in almost all of the world’s countries and territories, making this the largest global network of sites of significance for biodiversity. IBAs have been identified using standardised, data-driven criteria that have been developed and applied at global and regional levels."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalssagepubcom/doi/full/101177/1070496518785943journalcodejeda","title":"The Local Impacts of World Bank Development Projects Near Sites of Conservation Significance","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalssagepubcom/doi/full/101177/1070496518785943journalcodejeda","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:32:50Z","content_text":"We evaluated the local impacts of World Bank development projects on sites of recognized conservation significance (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas [IBAs]) using tree cover change data and in situ state, pressure, and response monitoring data. IBAs adjacent to World Bank project locations and a matched set of IBAs distant from World Bank project locations had similar rates of tree loss and similar in situ measurements of conservation outcomes.","summary":"We evaluated the local impacts of World Bank development projects on sites of recognized conservation significance (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas [IBAs]) using tree cover change data and in situ state, pressure, and response monitoring data. IBAs adjacent to World Bank project locations and a matched set of IBAs distant from World Bank project locations had similar rates of tree loss and similar in situ measurements of conservation outcomes."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalsplosorg/plosone/articleid101371/journalpone0193102","title":"Global screening for Critical Habitat in the terrestrial realm","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalsplosorg/plosone/articleid101371/journalpone0193102","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:26:49Z","content_text":"Critical Habitat has become an increasingly important concept used by the finance sector and businesses to identify areas of high biodiversity value. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) defines Critical Habitat in their highly influential Performance Standard 6 (PS6), requiring projects in Critical Habitat to achieve a net gain of biodiversity. Here we present a global screening layer of Critical Habitat in the terrestrial realm, derived from global spatial datasets covering the distributions of 12 biodiversity features aligned with guidance provided by the IFC. Each biodiversity feature is categorised as ‘likely’ or ‘potential’ Critical Habitat based on: 1. Alignment between the biodiversity feature and the IFC Critical Habitat definition; and 2. Suitability of the spatial resolution for indicating a feature’s presence on the ground. Following the initial screening process, ","summary":"Critical Habitat has become an increasingly important concept used by the finance sector and businesses to identify areas of high biodiversity value. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) defines Critical Habitat in their highly influential Performance Standard 6 (PS6), requiring projects in Critical Habitat to achieve a net gain of biodiversity. Here we present a global screening layer of Critical Habitat in the terrestrial realm, derived from global spatial datasets covering the distributions of 12 biodiversity features aligned with guidance provided by the IFC. Each biodiversity feature is categorised as ‘likely’ or ‘potential’ Critical Habitat based on: 1. Alignment between the biodiversity feature and the IFC Critical Habitat definition; and 2. Suitability of the spatial resolution for indicating a feature’s presence on the ground. Following the initial screening process, "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s0308597x17307790","title":"Framework for mapping key areas for marine megafauna to inform Marine Spatial Planning: The Falkland Islands case study","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s0308597x17307790","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:24:09Z","content_text":"\nMarine Spatial Planning (MSP) is becoming a key management approach throughout the world. The process includes the mapping of how humans and wildlife use the marine environment to inform the development of management measures. An integrated multi-species approach to identifying key areas is important for MSP because it allows managers a global representation of an area, enabling them to see where management can have the most impact for biodiversity protection. However, multi-species analysis remains challenging. This paper presents a methodological framework for mapping key areas for marine megafauna (seabirds, pinnipeds, cetaceans) by incorporating different data types across multiple species. ","summary":"\nMarine Spatial Planning (MSP) is becoming a key management approach throughout the world. The process includes the mapping of how humans and wildlife use the marine environment to inform the development of management measures. An integrated multi-species approach to identifying key areas is important for MSP because it allows managers a global representation of an area, enabling them to see where management can have the most impact for biodiversity protection. However, multi-species analysis remains challenging. This paper presents a methodological framework for mapping key areas for marine megafauna (seabirds, pinnipeds, cetaceans) by incorporating different data types across multiple species. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/conbioonlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101111/conl12295campaignwoletoc","title":"Persistent Disparities between Recent Rates of Habitat Conversion and Protection and Implications for Future Global Conservation Targets","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/conbioonlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101111/conl12295campaignwoletoc","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:16:50Z","content_text":"Anthropogenic conversion of natural habitats is the greatest threat to biodiversity and one of the primary reasons for establishing protected areas (PAs). Here, we show that PA establishment outpaced habitat conversion between 1993 and 2009 across all biomes and the majority (n = 567, 71.4%) of ecoregions globally. However, high historic rates of conversion meant that 447 (56.2%) ecoregions still exhibit a high ratio of conversion to protection, and of these, 127 (15.9%) experienced further increases in this ratio between 1993 and 2009. ","summary":"Anthropogenic conversion of natural habitats is the greatest threat to biodiversity and one of the primary reasons for establishing protected areas (PAs). Here, we show that PA establishment outpaced habitat conversion between 1993 and 2009 across all biomes and the majority (n = 567, 71.4%) of ecoregions globally. However, high historic rates of conversion meant that 447 (56.2%) ecoregions still exhibit a high ratio of conversion to protection, and of these, 127 (15.9%) experienced further increases in this ratio between 1993 and 2009. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/zslpublicationsonlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101002/rse213","title":"Patterns of twenty-first century forest loss across a global network of important sites for biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/zslpublicationsonlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101002/rse213","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:13:27Z","content_text":"The contribution that remotely sensed satellite imagery could make to biodiversity monitoring is widely recognized, but remains largely unfulfilled at regional and global scales. Here, we use a publicly accessible global dataset to quantify forest loss during 2000–2012 across the world's 7279 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) that support forest bird species, and examine correlates of forest loss. Forest covered around 2 912 000 km2 in these IBAs in 2000, but had decreased by around 73 000 km2 by 2012, a 2.52% loss across all IBAs. The median loss within IBAs was 0.87% during this period, although high losses on some IBAs skewed the mean to 2.59%. Rates of forest loss in IBAs were highest in South America and South East Asia. The rate of forest loss increased notably between 2003 and 2007. I","summary":"The contribution that remotely sensed satellite imagery could make to biodiversity monitoring is widely recognized, but remains largely unfulfilled at regional and global scales. Here, we use a publicly accessible global dataset to quantify forest loss during 2000–2012 across the world's 7279 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) that support forest bird species, and examine correlates of forest loss. Forest covered around 2 912 000 km2 in these IBAs in 2000, but had decreased by around 73 000 km2 by 2012, a 2.52% loss across all IBAs. The median loss within IBAs was 0.87% during this period, although high losses on some IBAs skewed the mean to 2.59%. Rates of forest loss in IBAs were highest in South America and South East Asia. The rate of forest loss increased notably between 2003 and 2007. I"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s2212041616300882","title":"Synergies between biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision: Lessons on integrated ecosystem service valuation from a Himalayan protected area, Nepal","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s2212041616300882","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:06:47Z","content_text":"We utilised a practical approach to integrated ecosystem service valuation to inform decision-making at Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park in Nepal. The Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) was used to compare ecosystem services between two alternative states of the site (protection or lack of protection with consequent changed land use) to estimate the net consequences of protection. We estimated that lack of protection would have substantially reduced the annual ecosystem service flow, including a 74% reduction in the value of greenhouse gas sequestration, 60% reduction in carbon storage, 94% reduction in nature-based recreation, and 88% reduction in water quality. ","summary":"We utilised a practical approach to integrated ecosystem service valuation to inform decision-making at Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park in Nepal. The Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) was used to compare ecosystem services between two alternative states of the site (protection or lack of protection with consequent changed land use) to estimate the net consequences of protection. We estimated that lack of protection would have substantially reduced the annual ecosystem service flow, including a 74% reduction in the value of greenhouse gas sequestration, 60% reduction in carbon storage, 94% reduction in nature-based recreation, and 88% reduction in water quality. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s0006320716303135","title":"Coverage of vertebrate species distributions by Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and Special Protection Areas in the European Union","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/pii/s0006320716303135","date_published":"2025-01-16T15:01:24Z","content_text":"The European Union (EU) has an extensive protected area network, including Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under the Birds Directive. Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) are sites of international significance for birds identified by BirdLife International. Here, we perform EU-wide terrestrial spatial conservation prioritizations to evaluate the coverage of IBAs by SPAs, and the coverage of bird and other vertebrate distributions by IBAs and SPAs. We then investigate the distribution of potential locations for expanding the SPA network that maximize bird species' representation, and the coverage of these locations by IBAs. ","summary":"The European Union (EU) has an extensive protected area network, including Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under the Birds Directive. Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) are sites of international significance for birds identified by BirdLife International. Here, we perform EU-wide terrestrial spatial conservation prioritizations to evaluate the coverage of IBAs by SPAs, and the coverage of bird and other vertebrate distributions by IBAs and SPAs. We then investigate the distribution of potential locations for expanding the SPA network that maximize bird species' representation, and the coverage of these locations by IBAs. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwecologyandsocietyorg/vol21/iss3/art10","title":"The challenges of integrating biodiversity and ecosystem services monitoring and evaluation at a landscape-scale wetland restoration project in the UK","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwecologyandsocietyorg/vol21/iss3/art10","date_published":"2025-01-16T14:21:18Z","content_text":"There is an increasing emphasis on the restoration of ecosystem services as well as of biodiversity, especially where restoration projects are planned at a landscape scale. This increase in the diversity of restoration aims has a number of conceptual and practical implications for the way that restoration projects are monitored and evaluated. Landscape-scale projects require monitoring of not only ecosystem services and biodiversity but also of ecosystem processes since these can underpin both. Using the experiences gained at a landscape-scale wetland restoration project in the UK, we discuss a number of issues that need to be considered, including the choice of metrics for monitoring ecosystem services and the difficulties of assessing the interactions between ecosystem processes, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.","summary":"There is an increasing emphasis on the restoration of ecosystem services as well as of biodiversity, especially where restoration projects are planned at a landscape scale. This increase in the diversity of restoration aims has a number of conceptual and practical implications for the way that restoration projects are monitored and evaluated. Landscape-scale projects require monitoring of not only ecosystem services and biodiversity but also of ecosystem processes since these can underpin both. Using the experiences gained at a landscape-scale wetland restoration project in the UK, we discuss a number of issues that need to be considered, including the choice of metrics for monitoring ecosystem services and the difficulties of assessing the interactions between ecosystem processes, biodiversity, and ecosystem services."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwnaturecom/articles/sdata20167","title":"Analysing biodiversity and conservation knowledge products to support regional environmental assessments","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwnaturecom/articles/sdata20167","date_published":"2025-01-16T14:16:28Z","content_text":"Two processes for regional environmental assessment are currently underway: the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) and Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Both face constraints of data, time, capacity, and resources. To support these assessments, we disaggregate three global knowledge products according to their regions and subregions. These products are: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Key Biodiversity Areas (specifically Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas [IBAs], and Alliance for Zero Extinction [AZE] sites), and Protected Planet. We present fourteen Data citations: numbers of species occurring and percentages threatened; numbers of endemics and percentages threatened; downscaled Red List Indices for mammals, birds, and amphibians; numbers, mean sizes, and percentage coverages of IBAs and AZE sites; percentage coverage of land and sea by protected areas; and trends in percentages of IBAs and AZE sites wholly covered by protected areas. These data will inform the regional/subregional assessment chapters on the status of biodiversity, drivers of its decline, and institutional responses, and greatly facilitate comparability and consistency between the different regional/subregional assessments.","summary":"Two processes for regional environmental assessment are currently underway: the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) and Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Both face constraints of data, time, capacity, and resources. To support these assessments, we disaggregate three global knowledge products according to their regions and subregions. These products are: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Key Biodiversity Areas (specifically Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas [IBAs], and Alliance for Zero Extinction [AZE] sites), and Protected Planet. We present fourteen Data citations: numbers of species occurring and percentages threatened; numbers of endemics and percentages threatened; downscaled Red List Indices for mammals, birds, and amphibians; numbers, mean sizes, and percentage coverages of IBAs and AZE sites; percentage coverage of land and sea by protected areas; and trends in percentages of IBAs and AZE sites wholly covered by protected areas. These data will inform the regional/subregional assessment chapters on the status of biodiversity, drivers of its decline, and institutional responses, and greatly facilitate comparability and consistency between the different regional/subregional assessments."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-standard-lexicon-for-biodiversity-conservation-unified-classifications-of-threats-and-actions","title":"A standard lexicon for biodiversity conservation: unified classifications of threats and actions","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-standard-lexicon-for-biodiversity-conservation-unified-classifications-of-threats-and-actions","date_published":"2025-01-16T14:04:24Z","content_text":"An essential foundation of any science is a standard lexicon. Any given conservation project can be described in terms of the biodiversity targets, direct threats, contributing factors at the project site, and the conservation actions that the project team is employing to change the situation. These common elements can be linked in a causal chain, which represents a theory of change about how the conservation actions are intended to bring about desired project outcomes.","summary":"An essential foundation of any science is a standard lexicon. Any given conservation project can be described in terms of the biodiversity targets, direct threats, contributing factors at the project site, and the conservation actions that the project team is employing to change the situation. These common elements can be linked in a causal chain, which represents a theory of change about how the conservation actions are intended to bring about desired project outcomes."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/spatial-scale-and-the-conservation-of-threatened-species","title":"Spatial scale and the conservation of threatened species","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/spatial-scale-and-the-conservation-of-threatened-species","date_published":"2025-01-16T14:03:07Z","content_text":"The spatial scale of conservation necessary to avoid species extinctions is one of the most vigorous debates in conservation biology. One approach holds that protecting sites should be the primary level for action on the ground, the other that conservation action targeting broader seascapes and landscapes is more important. We address this debate systematically by assessing the appropriate spatial scales of conservation for all 4,239 threatened mammals, birds, tortoises and turtles, and amphibians.","summary":"The spatial scale of conservation necessary to avoid species extinctions is one of the most vigorous debates in conservation biology. One approach holds that protecting sites should be the primary level for action on the ground, the other that conservation action targeting broader seascapes and landscapes is more important. We address this debate systematically by assessing the appropriate spatial scales of conservation for all 4,239 threatened mammals, birds, tortoises and turtles, and amphibians."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalsplosorg/plosbiology/articleid101371/journalpbio1001891textgovernments20have20agreed20to20expandspecies20aichi20target2012","title":"Targeting Global Protected Area Expansion for Imperiled Biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalsplosorg/plosbiology/articleid101371/journalpbio1001891textgovernments20have20agreed20to20expandspecies20aichi20target2012","date_published":"2025-01-16T13:59:30Z","content_text":"overnments have agreed to expand the global protected area network from 13% to 17% of the world's land surface by 2020 (Aichi target 11) and to prevent the further loss of known threatened species (Aichi target 12). These targets are interdependent, as protected areas can stem biodiversity loss when strategically located and effectively managed. However, the global protected area estate is currently biased toward locations that are cheap to protect and away from important areas for biodiversity. Here we use data on the distribution of protected areas and threatened terrestrial birds, mammals, and amphibians to assess current and possible future coverage of these species under the convention.","summary":"overnments have agreed to expand the global protected area network from 13% to 17% of the world's land surface by 2020 (Aichi target 11) and to prevent the further loss of known threatened species (Aichi target 12). These targets are interdependent, as protected areas can stem biodiversity loss when strategically located and effectively managed. However, the global protected area estate is currently biased toward locations that are cheap to protect and away from important areas for biodiversity. Here we use data on the distribution of protected areas and threatened terrestrial birds, mammals, and amphibians to assess current and possible future coverage of these species under the convention."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwscienceorg/doi/101126/science1257484","title":"A mid-term analysis of progress toward international biodiversity targets","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwscienceorg/doi/101126/science1257484","date_published":"2025-01-16T13:50:36Z","content_text":"In 2010, the international community, under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, agreed on 20 biodiversity-related “Aichi Targets” to be achieved within a decade. We provide a comprehensive mid-term assessment of progress toward these global targets using 55 indicator data sets. We projected indicator trends to 2020 using an adaptive statistical framework that incorporated the specific properties of individual time series. On current trajectories, results suggest that despite accelerating policy and management responses to the biodiversity crisis, the impacts of these efforts are unlikely to be reflected in improved trends in the state of biodiversity by 2020. We highlight areas of societal endeavor requiring additional efforts to achieve the Aichi Targets, and provide a baseline against which to assess future progress.","summary":"In 2010, the international community, under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, agreed on 20 biodiversity-related “Aichi Targets” to be achieved within a decade. We provide a comprehensive mid-term assessment of progress toward these global targets using 55 indicator data sets. We projected indicator trends to 2020 using an adaptive statistical framework that incorporated the specific properties of individual time series. On current trajectories, results suggest that despite accelerating policy and management responses to the biodiversity crisis, the impacts of these efforts are unlikely to be reflected in improved trends in the state of biodiversity by 2020. We highlight areas of societal endeavor requiring additional efforts to achieve the Aichi Targets, and provide a baseline against which to assess future progress."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/onlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101002/ece31248","title":"Benefits and costs of ecological restoration: Rapid assessment of changing ecosystem service values at a U.K. wetland","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/onlinelibrarywileycom/doi/full/101002/ece31248","date_published":"2025-01-16T13:45:00Z","content_text":"Restoration of degraded land is recognized by the international community as an important way of enhancing both biodiversity and ecosystem services, but more information is needed about its costs and benefits. In Cambridgeshire, U.K., a long-term initiative to convert drained, intensively farmed arable land to a wetland habitat mosaic is driven by a desire both to prevent biodiversity loss from the nationally important Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve (Wicken Fen NNR) and to increase the provision of ecosystem services. We evaluated the changes in ecosystem service delivery resulting from this land conversion, using a new Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) to estimate biophysical and monetary values of ecosystem services provided by the restored wetland mosaic compared with the former arable land.","summary":"Restoration of degraded land is recognized by the international community as an important way of enhancing both biodiversity and ecosystem services, but more information is needed about its costs and benefits. In Cambridgeshire, U.K., a long-term initiative to convert drained, intensively farmed arable land to a wetland habitat mosaic is driven by a desire both to prevent biodiversity loss from the nationally important Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve (Wicken Fen NNR) and to increase the provision of ecosystem services. We evaluated the changes in ecosystem service delivery resulting from this land conversion, using a new Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) to estimate biophysical and monetary values of ecosystem services provided by the restored wetland mosaic compared with the former arable land."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/linkspringercom/article/101007/s10530-014-0743-9","title":"Potential impact of invasive alien species on ecosystem services provided by a tropical forested ecosystem: a case study from Montserrat","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/linkspringercom/article/101007/s10530-014-0743-9","date_published":"2025-01-16T13:37:54Z","content_text":"Local stakeholders at the important but vulnerable Centre Hills on Montserrat consider that the continued presence of feral livestock (particularly goats and pigs) may lead to widespread replacement of the reserve’s native vegetation by invasive alien trees (Java plum and guava), and consequent negative impacts on native animal species. Since 2009, a hunting programme to control the feral livestock has been in operation. However long-term funding is not assured. Here, we estimate the effect of feral livestock control on ecosystem services provided by the forest to evaluate whether the biodiversity conservation rationale for continuation of the control programme is supported by an economic case. A new practical tool (Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment) was employed to measure and compare ecosystem service provision between two states of the reserve (i.e. presence and absence of feral livestock control) to estimate the net consequences of the hunting programme on ecosystem services provided by the forest.","summary":"Local stakeholders at the important but vulnerable Centre Hills on Montserrat consider that the continued presence of feral livestock (particularly goats and pigs) may lead to widespread replacement of the reserve’s native vegetation by invasive alien trees (Java plum and guava), and consequent negative impacts on native animal species. Since 2009, a hunting programme to control the feral livestock has been in operation. However long-term funding is not assured. Here, we estimate the effect of feral livestock control on ecosystem services provided by the forest to evaluate whether the biodiversity conservation rationale for continuation of the control programme is supported by an economic case. A new practical tool (Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment) was employed to measure and compare ecosystem service provision between two states of the reserve (i.e. presence and absence of feral livestock control) to estimate the net consequences of the hunting programme on ecosystem services provided by the forest."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/threats-to-the-maleo-macrocephalon-maleo-and-recommendations-for-its-conservation","title":"Threats to the maleo Macrocephalon maleo and recommendations for its conservation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/threats-to-the-maleo-macrocephalon-maleo-and-recommendations-for-its-conservation","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:58:15Z","content_text":"The maleo Macrocephalon maleo (Megapodiidae; Galliformes) is a megapode, endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, that lays its eggs communally in geothermally or solar-heated soil. The majority of maleo nesting grounds are threatened to some degree and over one-third of known sites have been abandoned. Maleos are severely threatened by habitat degradation and uncontrolled egg-collecting.","summary":"The maleo Macrocephalon maleo (Megapodiidae; Galliformes) is a megapode, endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, that lays its eggs communally in geothermally or solar-heated soil. The majority of maleo nesting grounds are threatened to some degree and over one-third of known sites have been abandoned. Maleos are severely threatened by habitat degradation and uncontrolled egg-collecting."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/extinct-and-endangered-ee-birds-a-proposed-list-for-collection-catalogues","title":"Extinct and endangered (‘E&E’) birds: a proposed list for collection catalogues","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/extinct-and-endangered-ee-birds-a-proposed-list-for-collection-catalogues","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:53:43Z","content_text":"Specimens of extinct and endangered (\"E&E\") birds are often, and rightly, the subject of elevated curatorial vigilance and care, and the publication of museum holdings of such species is regarded as a valuable contribution to conservation information. However, the definition of E&E species has varied over time and has in part been a matter of curatorial discretion.","summary":"Specimens of extinct and endangered (\"E&E\") birds are often, and rightly, the subject of elevated curatorial vigilance and care, and the publication of museum holdings of such species is regarded as a valuable contribution to conservation information. However, the definition of E&E species has varied over time and has in part been a matter of curatorial discretion."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/using-the-iucn-red-list-criteria-to-assess-species-with-declining-populations","title":"Using the IUCN Red List criteria to assess species with declining populations","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/using-the-iucn-red-list-criteria-to-assess-species-with-declining-populations","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:49:47Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/pinpointing-and-preventing-imminent-extinctions","title":"Pinpointing and preventing imminent extinctions","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/pinpointing-and-preventing-imminent-extinctions","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:48:00Z","content_text":"Slowing rates of global biodiversity loss requires preventing species extinctions. Here we pinpoint centers of imminent extinction, where highly threatened species are confined to single sites. Within five globally assessed taxa (i.e., mammals, birds, selected reptiles, amphibians, and conifers), we find 794 such species, three times the number recorded as having gone extinct since 1500.","summary":"Slowing rates of global biodiversity loss requires preventing species extinctions. Here we pinpoint centers of imminent extinction, where highly threatened species are confined to single sites. Within five globally assessed taxa (i.e., mammals, birds, selected reptiles, amphibians, and conifers), we find 794 such species, three times the number recorded as having gone extinct since 1500."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/lost-and-poorly-known-birds-top-targets-for-birders-in-asia","title":"Lost and poorly known birds: top targets for birders in Asia","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/lost-and-poorly-known-birds-top-targets-for-birders-in-asia","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:45:38Z","content_text":"The rediscovery of Cebu Flowerpecker Dicaeum quadricolor, by Rob Timmins and others in 1992 on the Philippine island of Cebu, was an extraordinary event. The bird had not been seen for 86 years, and had been written off as extinct at least 40 years earlier on the presumption that no forest remained on the island. Six years later, Jon Riley and Jim Wardill finally tracked down the long-tailed blue flycatcher they had been searching for on-and-off for four years on the Indonesian island of Sangihe.","summary":"The rediscovery of Cebu Flowerpecker Dicaeum quadricolor, by Rob Timmins and others in 1992 on the Philippine island of Cebu, was an extraordinary event. The bird had not been seen for 86 years, and had been written off as extinct at least 40 years earlier on the presumption that no forest remained on the island. Six years later, Jon Riley and Jim Wardill finally tracked down the long-tailed blue flycatcher they had been searching for on-and-off for four years on the Indonesian island of Sangihe."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/lost-and-found-a-gap-analysis-for-the-neotropical-avifauna","title":"Lost and found: a gap analysis for the Neotropical avifauna","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/lost-and-found-a-gap-analysis-for-the-neotropical-avifauna","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:41:20Z","content_text":"Most birdwatchers dream of discovering vagrants, or a species new to science, but there is a special charm about finding a bird considered 'lost' for many years. These species, described and catalogued long ago, have escaped detection for decades on end. A few of them, for one reason or another, are probably extinct, but most are still with us, as history has tended to prove.","summary":"Most birdwatchers dream of discovering vagrants, or a species new to science, but there is a special charm about finding a bird considered 'lost' for many years. These species, described and catalogued long ago, have escaped detection for decades on end. A few of them, for one reason or another, are probably extinct, but most are still with us, as history has tended to prove."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/how-many-bird-extinctions-have-we-prevented","title":"How many bird extinctions have we prevented?","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/how-many-bird-extinctions-have-we-prevented","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:26:12Z","content_text":"Considerable resources and efforts have been directed at biodiversity conservation in recent years, but measures of the success of conservation programmes have been limited. Based on information on population sizes, trends, threatening processes and the nature and intensity of conservation actions implemented during 1994–2004, we assessed that 16 bird species would have probably become extinct during this period if conservation programmes for them had not been undertaken.","summary":"Considerable resources and efforts have been directed at biodiversity conservation in recent years, but measures of the success of conservation programmes have been limited. Based on information on population sizes, trends, threatening processes and the nature and intensity of conservation actions implemented during 1994–2004, we assessed that 16 bird species would have probably become extinct during this period if conservation programmes for them had not been undertaken."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalsplosorg/plosone/articleid101371/journalpone0112046","title":"A Biodiversity Indicators Dashboard: Addressing Challenges to Monitoring Progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets Using Disaggregated Global Data","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalsplosorg/plosone/articleid101371/journalpone0112046","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:23:23Z","content_text":"Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's “Aichi Targets”. These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it. We surveyed conservation stakeholders in three geographically diverse regions of critical biodiversity concern (the Tropical Andes, the African Great Lakes, and the Greater Mekong) and found high demand for biodiversity indicator information but uneven availability. To begin to address this need, we present a biodiversity “dashboard” – a visualization of biodiversity indicators designed to enable tracking of biodiversity and conservation performance data in a clear, user-friendly format.","summary":"Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's “Aichi Targets”. These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it. We surveyed conservation stakeholders in three geographically diverse regions of critical biodiversity concern (the Tropical Andes, the African Great Lakes, and the Greater Mekong) and found high demand for biodiversity indicator information but uneven availability. To begin to address this need, we present a biodiversity “dashboard” – a visualization of biodiversity indicators designed to enable tracking of biodiversity and conservation performance data in a clear, user-friendly format."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/going-or-gone-defining-possibly-extinct-species-to-give-a-truer-picture-of-recent-extinctions","title":"Going or gone: defining ‘Possibly Extinct’ species to give a truer picture of recent extinctions","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/going-or-gone-defining-possibly-extinct-species-to-give-a-truer-picture-of-recent-extinctions","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:22:46Z","content_text":"The IUCN Red List is widely regarded as the most authoritative classification of species by their extinction risk, including those species known to have become extinct in recent times. Birds are the best-documented class of organisms on the Red List, and the fourth complete assessment of the status of the world’s birds was recently published (BirdLife International 2004, IUCN 2004), and updated (at www.birdlife.org) for the 2005 IUCN Red List.","summary":"The IUCN Red List is widely regarded as the most authoritative classification of species by their extinction risk, including those species known to have become extinct in recent times. Birds are the best-documented class of organisms on the Red List, and the fourth complete assessment of the status of the world’s birds was recently published (BirdLife International 2004, IUCN 2004), and updated (at www.birdlife.org) for the 2005 IUCN Red List."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/daneshyaricom/article/preview/108106pdf","title":"What benefits do community forests provide, and to whom? A rapid assessment of ecosystem services from a Himalayan forest, Nepal","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/daneshyaricom/article/preview/108106pdf","date_published":"2025-01-15T16:16:44Z","content_text":"In Nepal, community forestry is part of a national strategy for livelihoods improvement and environmental protection. However, analysis of the social, economic and environmental impacts of community\nforestry is often limited, restricted to a narrow set of benefits (e.g. non-timber forest products) and rarely\nmakes comparisons with alternative land-use options (e.g. agriculture). This study, conducted at\nPhulchoki Mountain Forest Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in the Kathmandu Valley, used\nmethods from the Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) to compare multiple\necosystem service values (including carbon storage, greenhouse gas sequestration, water provision,\nwater quality, harvested wild goods, cultivated goods and nature-based recreation) provided by the site\nin its current state and a plausible alternative state in which community forestry had not been\nimplemented","summary":"In Nepal, community forestry is part of a national strategy for livelihoods improvement and environmental protection. However, analysis of the social, economic and environmental impacts of community\nforestry is often limited, restricted to a narrow set of benefits (e.g. non-timber forest products) and rarely\nmakes comparisons with alternative land-use options (e.g. agriculture). This study, conducted at\nPhulchoki Mountain Forest Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in the Kathmandu Valley, used\nmethods from the Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) to compare multiple\necosystem service values (including carbon storage, greenhouse gas sequestration, water provision,\nwater quality, harvested wild goods, cultivated goods and nature-based recreation) provided by the site\nin its current state and a plausible alternative state in which community forestry had not been\nimplemented"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-global-popularity-and-threats-to-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-using-social-media-data","title":"Assessing global popularity and threats to Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas using social media data","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-global-popularity-and-threats-to-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-using-social-media-data","date_published":"2025-01-15T14:52:52Z","content_text":"Understanding worldwide patterns of human use of sites of international significance for biodiversity conservation is crucial for meeting global conservation targets. However, robust global datasets are scarce. In this study, we used social media data, mined from Flickr and Twitter, geolocated in Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) to assess i) patterns of popularity; ii) relationships of this popularity with geographical and biological variables; and iii) identify sites under high pressure from visitors. IBAs located in Europe and Asia, and in temperate biomes, had the highest density of users. Sites of importance for congregatory species, which were also more accessible, more densely populated and provided more tourism facilities, received higher visitation than did sites richer in bird species. We found 17% of all IBAs assessed to be under very high threat also received high visitation. Our results show in which IBAs enhanced monitoring should be implemented to reduce potential visitation risks to sites of conservation concern for birds, and to harness the potential benefits of tourism for conservation.","summary":"Understanding worldwide patterns of human use of sites of international significance for biodiversity conservation is crucial for meeting global conservation targets. However, robust global datasets are scarce. In this study, we used social media data, mined from Flickr and Twitter, geolocated in Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) to assess i) patterns of popularity; ii) relationships of this popularity with geographical and biological variables; and iii) identify sites under high pressure from visitors. IBAs located in Europe and Asia, and in temperate biomes, had the highest density of users. Sites of importance for congregatory species, which were also more accessible, more densely populated and provided more tourism facilities, received higher visitation than did sites richer in bird species. We found 17% of all IBAs assessed to be under very high threat also received high visitation. Our results show in which IBAs enhanced monitoring should be implemented to reduce potential visitation risks to sites of conservation concern for birds, and to harness the potential benefits of tourism for conservation."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalsplosorg/plosone/articleid101371/journalpone0032529","title":"Protecting Important Sites for Biodiversity Contributes to Meeting Global Conservation Targets","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/journalsplosorg/plosone/articleid101371/journalpone0032529","date_published":"2025-01-15T14:42:00Z","content_text":"Protected areas (PAs) are a cornerstone of conservation efforts and now cover nearly 13% of the world's land surface, with the world's governments committed to expand this to 17%. However, as biodiversity continues to decline, the effectiveness of PAs in reducing the extinction risk of species remains largely untested. We analyzed PA coverage and trends in species' extinction risk at globally significant sites for conserving birds (10,993 Important Bird Areas, IBAs) and highly threatened vertebrates and conifers (588 Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, AZEs) (referred to collectively hereafter as ‘important sites’). Species occurring in important sites with greater PA coverage experienced smaller increases in extinction risk over recent decades: the increase was half as large for bird species with>50% of the IBAs at which they occur completely covered by PAs, and a third lower for birds, mammals and amphibians restricted to protected AZEs (compared with unprotected or partially protected sites).","summary":"Protected areas (PAs) are a cornerstone of conservation efforts and now cover nearly 13% of the world's land surface, with the world's governments committed to expand this to 17%. However, as biodiversity continues to decline, the effectiveness of PAs in reducing the extinction risk of species remains largely untested. We analyzed PA coverage and trends in species' extinction risk at globally significant sites for conserving birds (10,993 Important Bird Areas, IBAs) and highly threatened vertebrates and conifers (588 Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, AZEs) (referred to collectively hereafter as ‘important sites’). Species occurring in important sites with greater PA coverage experienced smaller increases in extinction risk over recent decades: the increase was half as large for bird species with>50% of the IBAs at which they occur completely covered by PAs, and a third lower for birds, mammals and amphibians restricted to protected AZEs (compared with unprotected or partially protected sites)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-prevalence-characteristics-and-effectiveness-of-aichi-target-11s-other-effective-area-based-conservation-measures-oecms-in-key-biodiversity-areas","title":"The prevalence, characteristics and effectiveness of Aichi Target 11’s “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs) in Key Biodiversity Areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-prevalence-characteristics-and-effectiveness-of-aichi-target-11s-other-effective-area-based-conservation-measures-oecms-in-key-biodiversity-areas","date_published":"2025-01-15T14:31:38Z","content_text":"Aichi Target 11 of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity commits countries to the effective conservation of areas of importance for biodiversity, through protected areas and “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs). However, the prevalence and characteristics of OECMs are poorly known, particularly in sites of importance for biodiversity. We assess the prevalence of potential OECMs in 740 terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) outside known or mapped protected areas across ten countries. A majority of unprotected KBAs (76.5%) were at least partly covered by one or more potential OECMs. The conservation of ecosystem services or biodiversity was a stated management aim in 73% of these OECMs. Local or central government bodies managed the highest number of potential OECMs, followed by local and indigenous communities and private landowners. There was no difference between unprotected KBAs with or without OECMs in forest loss or in a number of state-pressure-response metrics.","summary":"Aichi Target 11 of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity commits countries to the effective conservation of areas of importance for biodiversity, through protected areas and “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs). However, the prevalence and characteristics of OECMs are poorly known, particularly in sites of importance for biodiversity. We assess the prevalence of potential OECMs in 740 terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) outside known or mapped protected areas across ten countries. A majority of unprotected KBAs (76.5%) were at least partly covered by one or more potential OECMs. The conservation of ecosystem services or biodiversity was a stated management aim in 73% of these OECMs. Local or central government bodies managed the highest number of potential OECMs, followed by local and indigenous communities and private landowners. There was no difference between unprotected KBAs with or without OECMs in forest loss or in a number of state-pressure-response metrics."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwscienceorg/doi/101126/science1189138","title":"Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges Beyond 2010","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwscienceorg/doi/101126/science1189138","date_published":"2025-01-15T14:22:46Z","content_text":"The continued growth of human populations and of per capita consumption have resulted in unsustainable exploitation of Earth’s biological diversity, exacerbated by climate change, ocean acidification, and other anthropogenic environmental impacts. We argue that effective conservation of biodiversity is essential for human survival and the maintenance of ecosystem processes. Despite some conservation successes (especially at local scales) and increasing public and government interest in living sustainably, biodiversity continues to decline. Moving beyond 2010, successful conservation approaches need to be reinforced and adequately financed.","summary":"The continued growth of human populations and of per capita consumption have resulted in unsustainable exploitation of Earth’s biological diversity, exacerbated by climate change, ocean acidification, and other anthropogenic environmental impacts. We argue that effective conservation of biodiversity is essential for human survival and the maintenance of ecosystem processes. Despite some conservation successes (especially at local scales) and increasing public and government interest in living sustainably, biodiversity continues to decline. Moving beyond 2010, successful conservation approaches need to be reinforced and adequately financed."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/tracking-trends-in-key-sites-for-biodiversity-a-case-study-using-important-bird-areas-in-kenya/22e89f5c786a7f0879a7a35438662164","title":"Tracking trends in key sites for biodiversity: a case study using Important Bird Areas in Kenya","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/tracking-trends-in-key-sites-for-biodiversity-a-case-study-using-important-bird-areas-in-kenya/22e89f5c786a7f0879a7a35438662164","date_published":"2025-01-15T14:18:48Z","content_text":"Important Bird Areas (IBAs) form a network of priority sites that are critical for the conservation of birds and biodiversity. A standard framework for monitoring IBAs is being implemented by the BirdLife Partnership globally. Scores are assigned on a simple ranked scale for state (condition), pressure (threats) and response (conservation action) at each site, from which IBA indices can be calculated. In Kenya, this scoring system was applied retrospectively using information in the national IBA directory (1999) and subsequent status reports (2004 and 2005). IBA indices for 36 IBAs show that their average condition deteriorated between 1999 and 2005, with the mean state score being between ‘unfavourable’ and ‘near favourable’. Pressures on IBAs showed a slight decline in intensity, especially from 2004 to 2005, coincident with an improvement in management that was reflected in increasing response scores.","summary":"Important Bird Areas (IBAs) form a network of priority sites that are critical for the conservation of birds and biodiversity. A standard framework for monitoring IBAs is being implemented by the BirdLife Partnership globally. Scores are assigned on a simple ranked scale for state (condition), pressure (threats) and response (conservation action) at each site, from which IBA indices can be calculated. In Kenya, this scoring system was applied retrospectively using information in the national IBA directory (1999) and subsequent status reports (2004 and 2005). IBA indices for 36 IBAs show that their average condition deteriorated between 1999 and 2005, with the mean state score being between ‘unfavourable’ and ‘near favourable’. Pressures on IBAs showed a slight decline in intensity, especially from 2004 to 2005, coincident with an improvement in management that was reflected in increasing response scores."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/bird-species-richness-and-diversity-at-montane-important-bird-area-iba-sites-in-southeastern-nigeria/7ddbaaac47c439a45bf5953fa0aa1fba","title":"Bird species richness and diversity at montane Important Bird Area (IBA) sites in south-eastern Nigeria","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/https/wwwcambridgeorg/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/bird-species-richness-and-diversity-at-montane-important-bird-area-iba-sites-in-southeastern-nigeria/7ddbaaac47c439a45bf5953fa0aa1fba","date_published":"2025-01-15T14:14:45Z","content_text":"The mountains of south-eastern Nigeria are a western extension of the Cameroon mountain range, which is classified as an endemic bird area (EBA). Unlike its eastern extension in Cameroon, most of the ornithological surveys in the western extension of the Cameroon highlands in Nigeria have produced only limited checklists and inventories. There is a clear need for quantitative baseline data so that conservation problems can be identified. Twenty line transects covering a total transect length of 28.8 km were used to survey five sites (Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Oban Division and Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park, Sankwala Mountains and Mbe Mountains) in the westernmost extension of the Cameroon Mountains EBA in south-eastern Nigeria. Vegetation measurements were taken to control for the potential confounding effect of variation in vegetation density and structure on detectability of birds between sites. The 193 bird species recorded in Afi, 158 in Sankwala, 124 in Oban, 100 in Mbe and 73 in Okwangwo Division included most of the Cameroon highlands restricted range species. The results show that the mountains of south-eastern Nigeria are important parts of the Cameroon EBA, particularly Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. However these sites are threatened by fire and livestock grazing on the hilltops, shifting agriculture on the hillsides and lowlands, and logging for timber in some parts, as well as wildlife hunting for bushmeat.","summary":"The mountains of south-eastern Nigeria are a western extension of the Cameroon mountain range, which is classified as an endemic bird area (EBA). Unlike its eastern extension in Cameroon, most of the ornithological surveys in the western extension of the Cameroon highlands in Nigeria have produced only limited checklists and inventories. There is a clear need for quantitative baseline data so that conservation problems can be identified. Twenty line transects covering a total transect length of 28.8 km were used to survey five sites (Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Oban Division and Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park, Sankwala Mountains and Mbe Mountains) in the westernmost extension of the Cameroon Mountains EBA in south-eastern Nigeria. Vegetation measurements were taken to control for the potential confounding effect of variation in vegetation density and structure on detectability of birds between sites. The 193 bird species recorded in Afi, 158 in Sankwala, 124 in Oban, 100 in Mbe and 73 in Okwangwo Division included most of the Cameroon highlands restricted range species. The results show that the mountains of south-eastern Nigeria are important parts of the Cameroon EBA, particularly Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. However these sites are threatened by fire and livestock grazing on the hilltops, shifting agriculture on the hillsides and lowlands, and logging for timber in some parts, as well as wildlife hunting for bushmeat."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/site-based-conservation-of-terrestrial-bird-species-in-the-caribbean-central-and-south-america-under-climate-change","title":"Site-based conservation of terrestrial bird species in the Caribbean, Central and South America under climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/site-based-conservation-of-terrestrial-bird-species-in-the-caribbean-central-and-south-america-under-climate-change","date_published":"2025-01-15T12:33:26Z","content_text":"Two of the principal responses of species to recent climate change have been changes in range and abundance, leading to a global reshuffling of the geographic distribution of species. Such range changes may cause species to disappear from areas they currently occupy and, given the right conditions, to colonize new sites. This could affect the ability of site networks (such as protected areas) to conserve species. Identifying sites that will continue to provide suitable conditions for focal species under future climate change scenarios and sites that are likely to become unsuitable is important for effective conservation planning. Here we explore the impacts of climate change on terrestrial bird species of conservation concern in the Neotropics, and the consequences for the network of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) identified to conserve them. We modelled changes in species distributions for 3,798 species across the Caribbean and Central and South America, accounting for species-specific biological traits (natal dispersal ability and generation length), to assess species occurrences within IBAs under different future climate scenarios. Based on the projected changes in species compositions, we identified potential management strategies for the individual sites of the network. We projected that future climate change will have substantial impacts on the distribution of individual species across the IBA network, resulting in very heterogenous impacts on the individual IBAs. Mean turnover of species of conservation concern within IBAs was 17% by 2050. Nonetheless, under a medium-warming scenario, for 73% of the 939 species of conservation concern, more than half of the IBAs in which they currently occur were projected to remain climatically suitable, and for 90% at least a quarter of the sites remain suitable. These results suggest that the IBA network will remain robust under climate change. Nevertheless, 7% of the species of conservation concern are projected to have no suitable climate in the IBAs currently identified for them. Our results highlight the importance of a network-wide perspective when taking management decisions for individual sites under climate change.","summary":"Two of the principal responses of species to recent climate change have been changes in range and abundance, leading to a global reshuffling of the geographic distribution of species. Such range changes may cause species to disappear from areas they currently occupy and, given the right conditions, to colonize new sites. This could affect the ability of site networks (such as protected areas) to conserve species. Identifying sites that will continue to provide suitable conditions for focal species under future climate change scenarios and sites that are likely to become unsuitable is important for effective conservation planning. Here we explore the impacts of climate change on terrestrial bird species of conservation concern in the Neotropics, and the consequences for the network of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) identified to conserve them. We modelled changes in species distributions for 3,798 species across the Caribbean and Central and South America, accounting for species-specific biological traits (natal dispersal ability and generation length), to assess species occurrences within IBAs under different future climate scenarios. Based on the projected changes in species compositions, we identified potential management strategies for the individual sites of the network. We projected that future climate change will have substantial impacts on the distribution of individual species across the IBA network, resulting in very heterogenous impacts on the individual IBAs. Mean turnover of species of conservation concern within IBAs was 17% by 2050. Nonetheless, under a medium-warming scenario, for 73% of the 939 species of conservation concern, more than half of the IBAs in which they currently occur were projected to remain climatically suitable, and for 90% at least a quarter of the sites remain suitable. These results suggest that the IBA network will remain robust under climate change. Nevertheless, 7% of the species of conservation concern are projected to have no suitable climate in the IBAs currently identified for them. Our results highlight the importance of a network-wide perspective when taking management decisions for individual sites under climate change."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-messengers-what-birds-tell-us-about-threats-from-climate-change-and-solutions-for-nature-and-people","title":"The Messengers: What birds tell us about threats from climate change and solutions for nature and people","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-messengers-what-birds-tell-us-about-threats-from-climate-change-and-solutions-for-nature-and-people","date_published":"2025-01-15T11:37:20Z","content_text":"This synthesis of hundreds of scientific studies illustrates the many ways by which climate change threatens birds and other wildlife. It describes actions underway to help nature adapt, and also shows for the first time how the BirdLife Partnership is implementing nature-based solutions across the world to reduce climate risks and build people’s resilience.","summary":"This synthesis of hundreds of scientific studies illustrates the many ways by which climate change threatens birds and other wildlife. It describes actions underway to help nature adapt, and also shows for the first time how the BirdLife Partnership is implementing nature-based solutions across the world to reduce climate risks and build people’s resilience."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/high-seas-treaty","title":"High Seas Treaty/BBNJ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/high-seas-treaty","date_published":"2025-01-15T11:35:20Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-the-global-prevalence-of-wild-birds-in-trade","title":"Assessing the global prevalence of wild birds in trade","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-the-global-prevalence-of-wild-birds-in-trade","date_published":"2025-01-15T11:32:28Z","content_text":"Trade represents a significant threat to many wild species and is often clandestine and poorly monitored. Information on which species are most prevalent in trade and potentially threatened by it therefore remains fragmentary. We used 7 global data sets on birds in trade to identify species or groups of species at particular risk and assessed the extent to which they were congruent in terms of the species recorded in trade. We used the frequency with which species were recorded in the data sets as the basis for a trade prevalence score that was applied to all bird species globally. ","summary":"Trade represents a significant threat to many wild species and is often clandestine and poorly monitored. Information on which species are most prevalent in trade and potentially threatened by it therefore remains fragmentary. We used 7 global data sets on birds in trade to identify species or groups of species at particular risk and assessed the extent to which they were congruent in terms of the species recorded in trade. We used the frequency with which species were recorded in the data sets as the basis for a trade prevalence score that was applied to all bird species globally. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/birds-and-biodiversity-targets","title":"Birds and Biodiversity Targets:  What do birds tell us about progress to the Aichi Targets and requirements for the post-2020 biodiversity framework? ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/birds-and-biodiversity-targets","date_published":"2025-01-15T11:20:48Z","content_text":"There has been much concern over the world’s catastrophic failure to meet global targets set in 2010 to save biodiversity. Birds and Biodiversity Targets uses BirdLife’s extensive worldwide research to provide a road map to ensure the 2020s are not just another “lost decade for nature”. ","summary":"There has been much concern over the world’s catastrophic failure to meet global targets set in 2010 to save biodiversity. Birds and Biodiversity Targets uses BirdLife’s extensive worldwide research to provide a road map to ensure the 2020s are not just another “lost decade for nature”. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/state-of-the-worlds-birds-2022-insights-and-solutions-for-the-biodiversity-crisis","title":"State of the World's Birds 2022:  Insights and solutions for the biodiversity crisis","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/state-of-the-worlds-birds-2022-insights-and-solutions-for-the-biodiversity-crisis","date_published":"2025-01-15T11:20:37Z","content_text":"This fifth edition of BirdLife’s flagship State of the World’s Birds report summarises what birds, as barometers for planetary health, can tell us about the state of nature, the pressures upon it, and the solutions in place and needed. ","summary":"This fifth edition of BirdLife’s flagship State of the World’s Birds report summarises what birds, as barometers for planetary health, can tell us about the state of nature, the pressures upon it, and the solutions in place and needed. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/biodiversity-indicators-based-on-trends-in-conservation-status-strengths-of-the-iucn-red-list-index","title":"Biodiversity indicators based on trends in conservation status: strengths of the IUCN Red List Index","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/biodiversity-indicators-based-on-trends-in-conservation-status-strengths-of-the-iucn-red-list-index","date_published":"2025-01-14T17:06:37Z","content_text":"In 2002, through the Convention on Biological Diversity, the world's leaders adopted a target of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. This target has stimulated considerable interest in developing and testing indicators for tracking trends in the status of biodiversity.","summary":"In 2002, through the Convention on Biological Diversity, the world's leaders adopted a target of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. This target has stimulated considerable interest in developing and testing indicators for tracking trends in the status of biodiversity."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/developing-indicators-for-monitoring-trends-in-the-status-of-threatened-birds-in-europe","title":"Developing indicators for monitoring trends in the status of threatened birds in Europe","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/developing-indicators-for-monitoring-trends-in-the-status-of-threatened-birds-in-europe","date_published":"2025-01-14T16:17:24Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/use-and-misuse-of-the-iucn-red-list-criteria-in-projecting-climate-change-impacts-on-biodiversity","title":"Use and misuse of the IUCN Red List criteria in projecting climate change impacts on biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/use-and-misuse-of-the-iucn-red-list-criteria-in-projecting-climate-change-impacts-on-biodiversity","date_published":"2025-01-14T16:13:23Z","content_text":"Recent attempts at projecting climate change impacts on biodiversity have used the IUCN Red List Criteria to obtain estimates of extinction rates based on projected range shifts. In these studies, the Criteria are often misapplied, potentially introducing substantial bias and uncertainty. These misapplications include arbitrary changes to temporal and spatial scales; confusion of the spatial variables; and assume a linear relationship between abundance and range area.","summary":"Recent attempts at projecting climate change impacts on biodiversity have used the IUCN Red List Criteria to obtain estimates of extinction rates based on projected range shifts. In these studies, the Criteria are often misapplied, potentially introducing substantial bias and uncertainty. These misapplications include arbitrary changes to temporal and spatial scales; confusion of the spatial variables; and assume a linear relationship between abundance and range area."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/equitable-and-effective-conservation-across-landscapes-and-seascapes-the-conserved-areas-paradigm-in-practice","title":"Equitable and effective conservation across landscapes and seascapes: the conserved areas paradigm in practice","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/equitable-and-effective-conservation-across-landscapes-and-seascapes-the-conserved-areas-paradigm-in-practice","date_published":"2025-01-14T14:42:15Z","content_text":"In 2018, the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a decision on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). It contains the definition of an OECM and related scientific \nand technical advice that has broadened the scope of governance authorities and areas that can be engaged and recognised in global conservation efforts. The voluntary guidance on OECMs and protected areas, also included in \nthe decision, promotes the use of diverse, effective and equitable governance models, the integration of protected areas and OECMs into wider landscapes and seascapes, and mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation across \nsectors. Taken as a whole, the advice and voluntary guidance provides further clarity about the CBD Parties’ understanding of what constitutes equitable and effective area-based conservation measures within and beyond protected areas and provides standardised criteria with which to measure and report areas’ attributes and performance. This policy perspective suggests that this CBD decision represents further evidence of the evolution from the ‘new paradigm for protected areas’ to a broader ‘conserved areas paradigm’ that embodies good governance, equity and effective conservation outcomes and is inclusive of a diversity of contributions to conservation within and beyond protected areas. ","summary":"In 2018, the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a decision on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). It contains the definition of an OECM and related scientific \nand technical advice that has broadened the scope of governance authorities and areas that can be engaged and recognised in global conservation efforts. The voluntary guidance on OECMs and protected areas, also included in \nthe decision, promotes the use of diverse, effective and equitable governance models, the integration of protected areas and OECMs into wider landscapes and seascapes, and mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation across \nsectors. Taken as a whole, the advice and voluntary guidance provides further clarity about the CBD Parties’ understanding of what constitutes equitable and effective area-based conservation measures within and beyond protected areas and provides standardised criteria with which to measure and report areas’ attributes and performance. This policy perspective suggests that this CBD decision represents further evidence of the evolution from the ‘new paradigm for protected areas’ to a broader ‘conserved areas paradigm’ that embodies good governance, equity and effective conservation outcomes and is inclusive of a diversity of contributions to conservation within and beyond protected areas. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/marine-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-for-penguins-in-antarctica-targets-for-conservation-action","title":"Marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas for penguins in Antarctica, targets for conservation action","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/marine-important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-for-penguins-in-antarctica-targets-for-conservation-action","date_published":"2025-01-14T13:08:39Z","content_text":"Global targets for area-based conservation and management must move beyond threshold-based targets alone and must account for the quality of such areas. In the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, a region where key biodiversity faces unprecedented risks from climate change and where there is a growing demand to extract resources, a number of marine areas have been afforded enhanced conservation or management measures through two adopted marine protected areas (MPAs). However, evidence suggests that additional high quality areas could benefit from a proposed network of MPAs. Penguins offer a particular opportunity to identify high quality areas because these birds, as highly visible central-place foragers, are considered indicator species whose populations reflect the state of the surrounding marine environment. We compiled a comprehensive dataset of the location of penguin colonies and their associated abundance estimates in Antarctica. We then estimated the at-sea distribution of birds based on information derived from tracking data and through the application of a modified foraging radius approach with a density decay function to identify some of the most important marine areas for chick-rearing adult penguins throughout waters surrounding Antarctica following the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) framework. Additionally, we assessed how marine IBAs overlapped with the currently adopted and proposed network of key management areas (primarily MPAs), and how the krill fishery likely overlapped with marine IBAs over the past five decades. We identified 63 marine IBAs throughout Antarctic waters and found that were the proposed MPAs to be adopted, the permanent conservation of high quality areas for penguin species would increase by between 49 and 100% depending on the species. Furthermore, our data show that, despite a generally contracting range of operation by the krill fishery in Antarctica over the past five decades, a consistently disproportionate amount of krill is being harvested within marine IBAs compared to the total area in which the fishery operates. Our results support the designation of the proposed MPA network and offer additional guidance as to where decision-makers should act before further perturbation occurs in the Antarctic marine ecosystem.","summary":"Global targets for area-based conservation and management must move beyond threshold-based targets alone and must account for the quality of such areas. In the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, a region where key biodiversity faces unprecedented risks from climate change and where there is a growing demand to extract resources, a number of marine areas have been afforded enhanced conservation or management measures through two adopted marine protected areas (MPAs). However, evidence suggests that additional high quality areas could benefit from a proposed network of MPAs. Penguins offer a particular opportunity to identify high quality areas because these birds, as highly visible central-place foragers, are considered indicator species whose populations reflect the state of the surrounding marine environment. We compiled a comprehensive dataset of the location of penguin colonies and their associated abundance estimates in Antarctica. We then estimated the at-sea distribution of birds based on information derived from tracking data and through the application of a modified foraging radius approach with a density decay function to identify some of the most important marine areas for chick-rearing adult penguins throughout waters surrounding Antarctica following the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) framework. Additionally, we assessed how marine IBAs overlapped with the currently adopted and proposed network of key management areas (primarily MPAs), and how the krill fishery likely overlapped with marine IBAs over the past five decades. We identified 63 marine IBAs throughout Antarctic waters and found that were the proposed MPAs to be adopted, the permanent conservation of high quality areas for penguin species would increase by between 49 and 100% depending on the species. Furthermore, our data show that, despite a generally contracting range of operation by the krill fishery in Antarctica over the past five decades, a consistently disproportionate amount of krill is being harvested within marine IBAs compared to the total area in which the fishery operates. Our results support the designation of the proposed MPA network and offer additional guidance as to where decision-makers should act before further perturbation occurs in the Antarctic marine ecosystem."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/biological-richness-of-gunung-slamet-central-java-and-the-need-for-its-protection","title":"Biological richness of Gunung Slamet, Central Java, and the need for its protection","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/biological-richness-of-gunung-slamet-central-java-and-the-need-for-its-protection","date_published":"2025-01-14T12:55:41Z","content_text":"Designating protected areas remains a core strategy in biodiversity conservation. Despite high endemism, montane forests across the island of Java are under-represented in Indonesia's protected area network. Here, we document the montane biodiversity of Gunung Slamet, an isolated volcano in Central Java, and provide evidence to support its increased protection. During September–December 2018, we surveyed multiple sites for birds, primates, terrestrial mammals, reptiles, amphibians and vegetation. Survey methods included transects, camera traps and targeted searches at six sites, at altitudes of 970–2,512 m. We used species distribution models for birds and mammals of conservation concern to identify priority areas for protection. We recorded 99 bird species (13 globally threatened), 15 mammals (five globally threatened) and 17 reptiles and amphibians (two endemic). Our species distribution models showed considerable cross-taxon congruence between important areas on Slamet's upper slopes, generally above 1,800 m. Particularly important were records of the endemic subspecies of the Endangered Javan laughingthrush Garrulax rufifrons slamatensis, not recorded in the wild since 1925, the Endangered Javan gibbon Hylobates moloch and Javan surili Presbytis comata, and the Vulnerable Javan lutung Trachypithecus auratus and Javan leopard Panthera pardus melas. Recent forest loss has been modest, at least 280 km2 of continuous forest remain above 800 m, and our surveys show that forest habitats are in good condition. However, the mountain is widely used by trappers and hunters. Given its importance for biodiversity conservation, we discuss different options for improving the protection status of Gunung Slamet, including designation as a National Park or Essential Ecosystem.","summary":"Designating protected areas remains a core strategy in biodiversity conservation. Despite high endemism, montane forests across the island of Java are under-represented in Indonesia's protected area network. Here, we document the montane biodiversity of Gunung Slamet, an isolated volcano in Central Java, and provide evidence to support its increased protection. During September–December 2018, we surveyed multiple sites for birds, primates, terrestrial mammals, reptiles, amphibians and vegetation. Survey methods included transects, camera traps and targeted searches at six sites, at altitudes of 970–2,512 m. We used species distribution models for birds and mammals of conservation concern to identify priority areas for protection. We recorded 99 bird species (13 globally threatened), 15 mammals (five globally threatened) and 17 reptiles and amphibians (two endemic). Our species distribution models showed considerable cross-taxon congruence between important areas on Slamet's upper slopes, generally above 1,800 m. Particularly important were records of the endemic subspecies of the Endangered Javan laughingthrush Garrulax rufifrons slamatensis, not recorded in the wild since 1925, the Endangered Javan gibbon Hylobates moloch and Javan surili Presbytis comata, and the Vulnerable Javan lutung Trachypithecus auratus and Javan leopard Panthera pardus melas. Recent forest loss has been modest, at least 280 km2 of continuous forest remain above 800 m, and our surveys show that forest habitats are in good condition. However, the mountain is widely used by trappers and hunters. Given its importance for biodiversity conservation, we discuss different options for improving the protection status of Gunung Slamet, including designation as a National Park or Essential Ecosystem."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-data-and-the-conservation-of-the-high-seas-opportunities-and-challenges","title":"Tracking data and the conservation of the High Seas: opportunities and challenges","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-data-and-the-conservation-of-the-high-seas-opportunities-and-challenges","date_published":"2025-01-14T12:28:56Z","content_text":"1. Biologging technology is rapidly advancing—scientists are obtaining data on movement and behaviour for a range of species, more accurately than ever before. With this information, it is possible to understand more about important areas and their connections across the open ocean including the high seas, beyond national jurisdictions. But an absence of a global governance framework has so far hindered a coordinated approach to conservation action on the high seas.\n2. We showcase a candidate high seas MPA in the Northeast Atlantic identified primarily from seabird tracking data and being taken forward under a regional process: the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Seamount (NACES) MPA, under the OSPAR Commission. It provides a unique case study to learn about the intricacies of implementation when applying tracking information for conservation. From this, we identify the facilitating conditions and challenges faced from identification to designation and highlight actionable opportunities for future area-based management of the high seas that will be made possible under a new agreement.\n3. Policy implications. The North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Seamount (NACES) MPA demonstrates the power of translating tracking data into usable geospatial knowledge to inform conservation and policy and provides an exemplar for a data-driven approach to high seas conservation that can become a reality under the forthcoming governance framework (under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (known as the BBNJ Agreement)). This new agreement presents a unique conservation opportunity both for the application of tracking data to conservation outcomes and for the protection of migratory species.","summary":"1. Biologging technology is rapidly advancing—scientists are obtaining data on movement and behaviour for a range of species, more accurately than ever before. With this information, it is possible to understand more about important areas and their connections across the open ocean including the high seas, beyond national jurisdictions. But an absence of a global governance framework has so far hindered a coordinated approach to conservation action on the high seas.\n2. We showcase a candidate high seas MPA in the Northeast Atlantic identified primarily from seabird tracking data and being taken forward under a regional process: the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Seamount (NACES) MPA, under the OSPAR Commission. It provides a unique case study to learn about the intricacies of implementation when applying tracking information for conservation. From this, we identify the facilitating conditions and challenges faced from identification to designation and highlight actionable opportunities for future area-based management of the high seas that will be made possible under a new agreement.\n3. Policy implications. The North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Seamount (NACES) MPA demonstrates the power of translating tracking data into usable geospatial knowledge to inform conservation and policy and provides an exemplar for a data-driven approach to high seas conservation that can become a reality under the forthcoming governance framework (under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (known as the BBNJ Agreement)). This new agreement presents a unique conservation opportunity both for the application of tracking data to conservation outcomes and for the protection of migratory species."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-coincidence-of-climatic-and-species-rarity-high-risk-for-rare-species-under-global-climate-change","title":"The coincidence of climatic and species rarity: high risk for rare species under global climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-coincidence-of-climatic-and-species-rarity-high-risk-for-rare-species-under-global-climate-change","date_published":"2025-01-13T17:00:31Z","content_text":"Why do areas with high numbers of small-range species occur where they do? We found that, for butterfly and plant species in Europe, and for bird species in the Western Hemisphere, such areas coincide with regions that have rare climates, and are higher and colder areas than surrounding regions.","summary":"Why do areas with high numbers of small-range species occur where they do? We found that, for butterfly and plant species in Europe, and for bird species in the Western Hemisphere, such areas coincide with regions that have rare climates, and are higher and colder areas than surrounding regions."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/key-conservation-issues-for-migratory-land-and-waterbird-species-on-the-worlds-major-flyways","title":"Key conservation issues for migratory land- and waterbird species on the world's major flyways","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/key-conservation-issues-for-migratory-land-and-waterbird-species-on-the-worlds-major-flyways","date_published":"2025-01-13T16:51:45Z","content_text":"An estimated 19% of the world's 9,856 extant bird species are migratory, including some 1,600 species of land- and waterbirds. In 2008, 11% of migratory land- and waterbirds were classed by BirdLife International as threatened or near-threatened on the IUCN Red List. Red List indices show that these migrants have become more threatened since 1988, with 33 species deteriorating and just six improving in status. There is also increasing evidence of regional declines.","summary":"An estimated 19% of the world's 9,856 extant bird species are migratory, including some 1,600 species of land- and waterbirds. In 2008, 11% of migratory land- and waterbirds were classed by BirdLife International as threatened or near-threatened on the IUCN Red List. Red List indices show that these migrants have become more threatened since 1988, with 33 species deteriorating and just six improving in status. There is also increasing evidence of regional declines."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/using-remote-sensing-to-inform-conservation-status-assessment-estimates-of-recent-deforestation-rates-on-new-britain-and-the-impacts-upon-endemic-birds","title":"Using remote sensing to inform conservation status assessment: Estimates of recent deforestation rates on New Britain and the impacts upon endemic birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/using-remote-sensing-to-inform-conservation-status-assessment-estimates-of-recent-deforestation-rates-on-new-britain-and-the-impacts-upon-endemic-birds","date_published":"2025-01-13T16:49:41Z","content_text":"Remote sensing is increasingly used by policy-makers and conservationists to identify conservation priorities and changes in land cover. This is particularly important in the biodiverse tropics, where there are often few field data. Conservation action is often directed towards areas containing globally threatened species, but there have been few attempts to improve assessments of species’ extinction risk through remote sensing.","summary":"Remote sensing is increasingly used by policy-makers and conservationists to identify conservation priorities and changes in land cover. This is particularly important in the biodiverse tropics, where there are often few field data. Conservation action is often directed towards areas containing globally threatened species, but there have been few attempts to improve assessments of species’ extinction risk through remote sensing."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/rates-of-movement-of-threatened-bird-species-between-iucn-red-list-categories-and-toward-extinction","title":"Rates of movement of threatened bird species between IUCN Red List categories and toward extinction","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/rates-of-movement-of-threatened-bird-species-between-iucn-red-list-categories-and-toward-extinction","date_published":"2025-01-13T16:15:10Z","content_text":"In recent centuries bird species have been deteriorating in status and becoming extinct at a rate that may be 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than in prehuman times. We examined extinction rates of bird species designated critically endangered in 1994 and the rate at which species have moved through the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List categories of extinction risk globally for the period 1988–2004 and regionally in Australia from 1750 to 2000.","summary":"In recent centuries bird species have been deteriorating in status and becoming extinct at a rate that may be 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than in prehuman times. We examined extinction rates of bird species designated critically endangered in 1994 and the rate at which species have moved through the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List categories of extinction risk globally for the period 1988–2004 and regionally in Australia from 1750 to 2000."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/pragmatism-and-practice-in-classifying-threats-a-reply-to-balmford-et-al","title":"Pragmatism and practice in classifying threats: a reply to Balmford et al.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/pragmatism-and-practice-in-classifying-threats-a-reply-to-balmford-et-al","date_published":"2025-01-13T13:19:54Z","content_text":"We agree with Balmford et al. (2009) in their commentary on our paper describing the International Union for Conservation of Nature-Conservation Measures Partnership (IUCN-CMP) classification of direct threats (Salafsky et al. 2008) that \"any system that tries to summarize the complexity of threats to wild nature in a simple, categorical classification is bound to be imperfect.\" However, we think Balmford et al. have made some substantial errors in their assessment of the IUCN-CMP system, and their alternative (hereafter the CCF [Cambridge Conservation Forum] system) creates more theoretical problems than it solves and will be difficult to implement.","summary":"We agree with Balmford et al. (2009) in their commentary on our paper describing the International Union for Conservation of Nature-Conservation Measures Partnership (IUCN-CMP) classification of direct threats (Salafsky et al. 2008) that \"any system that tries to summarize the complexity of threats to wild nature in a simple, categorical classification is bound to be imperfect.\" However, we think Balmford et al. have made some substantial errors in their assessment of the IUCN-CMP system, and their alternative (hereafter the CCF [Cambridge Conservation Forum] system) creates more theoretical problems than it solves and will be difficult to implement."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/projected-impacts-of-climate-change-on-a-continent-wide-protected-area-network","title":"Projected impacts of climate change on a continent-wide protected area network","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/projected-impacts-of-climate-change-on-a-continent-wide-protected-area-network","date_published":"2025-01-13T11:47:45Z","content_text":"Despite widespread concern, the continuing effectiveness of networks of protected areas under projected 21st century climate change is uncertain. Shifts in species’ distributions could mean these resources will cease to afford protection to those species for which they were originally established. Using modelled projected shifts in the distributions of sub-Saharan Africa’s entire breeding avifauna, we show that species turnover across the continent’s Important Bird Area (IBA) network is likely to vary regionally and will be substantial at many sites (>50% at 42% of IBAs by 2085 for priority species).","summary":"Despite widespread concern, the continuing effectiveness of networks of protected areas under projected 21st century climate change is uncertain. Shifts in species’ distributions could mean these resources will cease to afford protection to those species for which they were originally established. Using modelled projected shifts in the distributions of sub-Saharan Africa’s entire breeding avifauna, we show that species turnover across the continent’s Important Bird Area (IBA) network is likely to vary regionally and will be substantial at many sites (>50% at 42% of IBAs by 2085 for priority species)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/data-deficient-birds-on-the-iucn-red-list-what-dont-we-know-and-why-does-it-matter","title":"Data Deficient birds on the IUCN Red List: what don’t we know and why does it matter?","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/data-deficient-birds-on-the-iucn-red-list-what-dont-we-know-and-why-does-it-matter","date_published":"2025-01-13T11:44:23Z","content_text":"Species are classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List if there is inadequate information to make an assessment of their extinction risk based on distribution and/or population status. Data Deficient is probably the most controversial and misunderstood of IUCN Red List categories.","summary":"Species are classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List if there is inadequate information to make an assessment of their extinction risk based on distribution and/or population status. Data Deficient is probably the most controversial and misunderstood of IUCN Red List categories."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/standards-for-documenting-and-monitoring-bird-reintroduction-projects","title":" Standards for documenting and monitoring bird reintroduction projects","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/standards-for-documenting-and-monitoring-bird-reintroduction-projects","date_published":"2025-01-13T11:12:46Z","content_text":"It would be much easier to assess the effectiveness of different reintroduction methods, and so improve the success of reintroductions, if there was greater standardization in documentation of the methods and outcomes. We suggest a series of standards for documenting and monitoring the methods and outcomes associated with reintroduction projects for birds.","summary":"It would be much easier to assess the effectiveness of different reintroduction methods, and so improve the success of reintroductions, if there was greater standardization in documentation of the methods and outcomes. We suggest a series of standards for documenting and monitoring the methods and outcomes associated with reintroduction projects for birds."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/biodiversity-conservation-challenges-beyond-2010","title":"Biodiversity conservation: challenges beyond 2010","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/biodiversity-conservation-challenges-beyond-2010","date_published":"2025-01-13T11:09:11Z","content_text":"The continued growth of human populations and of per capita consumption have resulted in unsustainable exploitation of Earth’s biological diversity, exacerbated by climate change, ocean acidification, and other anthropogenic environmental impacts. We argue that effective conservation of biodiversity is essential for human survival and the maintenance of ecosystem processes.","summary":"The continued growth of human populations and of per capita consumption have resulted in unsustainable exploitation of Earth’s biological diversity, exacerbated by climate change, ocean acidification, and other anthropogenic environmental impacts. We argue that effective conservation of biodiversity is essential for human survival and the maintenance of ecosystem processes."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-impact-of-conservation-on-the-status-of-the-worlds-vertebrates","title":"The impact of conservation on the status of the world’s vertebrates","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-impact-of-conservation-on-the-status-of-the-worlds-vertebrates","date_published":"2025-01-13T11:08:54Z","content_text":"Using data for 25,780 species categorized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, we present an assessment of the status of the world’s vertebrates. One-fifth of species are classified as Threatened, and we show that this figure is increasing: On average, 52 species of mammals, birds, and amphibians move one category closer to extinction each year.","summary":"Using data for 25,780 species categorized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, we present an assessment of the status of the world’s vertebrates. One-fifth of species are classified as Threatened, and we show that this figure is increasing: On average, 52 species of mammals, birds, and amphibians move one category closer to extinction each year."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/response-to-xu-et-al-national-indicators-show-biodiversity-progress","title":"Response to Xu et al. National indicators show biodiversity progress","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/response-to-xu-et-al-national-indicators-show-biodiversity-progress","date_published":"2025-01-13T10:59:32Z","content_text":"Xu and colleagues report some encouraging trends at the national scale for China. This is welcome news and augments the examples we provided (in Table 2) of success and positive trends relevant to the 2010 target. Unfortunately, they do not invalidate the overall picture that humans are destroying wild nature as fast as ever, that much of this loss is irreversible, and that it has ethical implications as well as substantial economic and social costs.","summary":"Xu and colleagues report some encouraging trends at the national scale for China. This is welcome news and augments the examples we provided (in Table 2) of success and positive trends relevant to the 2010 target. Unfortunately, they do not invalidate the overall picture that humans are destroying wild nature as fast as ever, that much of this loss is irreversible, and that it has ethical implications as well as substantial economic and social costs."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/toward-a-management-framework-for-networks-of-protected-areas-in-the-face-of-climate-change","title":"Toward a management framework for networks of protected areas in the face of climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/toward-a-management-framework-for-networks-of-protected-areas-in-the-face-of-climate-change","date_published":"2025-01-10T14:25:20Z","content_text":"Networks of sites of high importance for conservation of biological diversity are a cornerstone of current conservation strategies but are fixed in space and time. As climate change progresses, substantial shifts in species' ranges may transform the ecological community that can be supported at a given site. Thus, some species in an existing network may not be protected in the future or may be protected only if they can move to sites that in future provide suitable conditions.","summary":"Networks of sites of high importance for conservation of biological diversity are a cornerstone of current conservation strategies but are fixed in space and time. As climate change progresses, substantial shifts in species' ranges may transform the ecological community that can be supported at a given site. Thus, some species in an existing network may not be protected in the future or may be protected only if they can move to sites that in future provide suitable conditions."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/identifying-priority-areas-for-conservation-a-global-assessment-for-forest-dependent-birds","title":"Identifying priority areas for conservation: a global assessment for forest-dependent birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/identifying-priority-areas-for-conservation-a-global-assessment-for-forest-dependent-birds","date_published":"2025-01-10T14:14:54Z","content_text":"Limited resources are available to address the world's growing environmental problems, requiring conservationists to identify priority sites for action. Using new distribution maps for all of the world's forest-dependent birds (60.6% of all bird species), we quantify the contribution of remaining forest to conserving global avian biodiversity.","summary":"Limited resources are available to address the world's growing environmental problems, requiring conservationists to identify priority sites for action. Using new distribution maps for all of the world's forest-dependent birds (60.6% of all bird species), we quantify the contribution of remaining forest to conserving global avian biodiversity."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/integrating-spatially-explicit-habitat-projections-into-extinction-risk-assessments-a-reassessment-of-amazonian-avifauna-incorporating-projected-deforestation","title":"Integrating spatially explicit habitat projections into extinction risk assessments: a reassessment of Amazonian avifauna incorporating projected deforestation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/integrating-spatially-explicit-habitat-projections-into-extinction-risk-assessments-a-reassessment-of-amazonian-avifauna-incorporating-projected-deforestation","date_published":"2025-01-10T14:02:59Z","content_text":"We aimed to complete the first systematic assessment of extinction risk based on projected population declines derived from spatially explicit habitat projections for any taxonomic group at a regional scale, to use the outputs to ascertain the efficacy of an existing protected area network in covering species of conservation concern, and identify gaps therein.","summary":"We aimed to complete the first systematic assessment of extinction risk based on projected population declines derived from spatially explicit habitat projections for any taxonomic group at a regional scale, to use the outputs to ascertain the efficacy of an existing protected area network in covering species of conservation concern, and identify gaps therein."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/poor-overlap-between-the-distribution-of-protected-areas-and-globally-threatened-birds-in-africa","title":" Poor overlap between the distribution of Protected Areas and globally threatened birds in Africa","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/poor-overlap-between-the-distribution-of-protected-areas-and-globally-threatened-birds-in-africa","date_published":"2025-01-10T13:58:04Z","content_text":"Protected Areas (PAs) form a core component of efforts to conserve biodiversity, but are designated for a variety of reasons. We assessed the effectiveness of PAs in covering the ranges of 157 globally threatened terrestrial bird species in mainland Africa and Madagascar.","summary":"Protected Areas (PAs) form a core component of efforts to conserve biodiversity, but are designated for a variety of reasons. We assessed the effectiveness of PAs in covering the ranges of 157 globally threatened terrestrial bird species in mainland Africa and Madagascar."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/minding-the-protection-gap-estimates-of-species-range-size-and-holes-in-the-protected-area-network","title":" Minding the protection gap: estimates of species’ range size and holes in the protected area network","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/minding-the-protection-gap-estimates-of-species-range-size-and-holes-in-the-protected-area-network","date_published":"2025-01-10T13:54:32Z","content_text":"In a paper in this issue, we set out to quantify the extent to which site-based conservation initiatives overlapped with the ranges of globally threatened bird species in Africa, using a GIS approach. We considered Protected Areas and Important Bird Areas (IBAs), both of which cover c. 7% of the land surface of Africa.","summary":"In a paper in this issue, we set out to quantify the extent to which site-based conservation initiatives overlapped with the ranges of globally threatened bird species in Africa, using a GIS approach. We considered Protected Areas and Important Bird Areas (IBAs), both of which cover c. 7% of the land surface of Africa."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-safe-index-is-not-safe","title":"The SAFE index is not safe","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-safe-index-is-not-safe","date_published":"2025-01-10T13:50:51Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-patterns-and-drivers-of-avian-extinctions-at-the-species-and-subspecies-level","title":"Global patterns and drivers of avian extinctions at the species and subspecies level","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-patterns-and-drivers-of-avian-extinctions-at-the-species-and-subspecies-level","date_published":"2025-01-10T11:55:43Z","content_text":"Birds have long fascinated scientists and travellers, so their distribution and abundance through time have been better documented than those of other organisms. Many bird species are known to have gone extinct, but information on subspecies extinctions has never been synthesised comprehensively. We reviewed the timing, spatial patterns, trends and causes of avian extinctions on a global scale, identifying 279 ultrataxa (141 monotypic species and 138 subspecies of polytypic species) that have gone extinct since 1500.","summary":"Birds have long fascinated scientists and travellers, so their distribution and abundance through time have been better documented than those of other organisms. Many bird species are known to have gone extinct, but information on subspecies extinctions has never been synthesised comprehensively. We reviewed the timing, spatial patterns, trends and causes of avian extinctions on a global scale, identifying 279 ultrataxa (141 monotypic species and 138 subspecies of polytypic species) that have gone extinct since 1500."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/mapping-functional-traits-comparing-abundance-and-presence-absence-estimates-at-large-spatial-scales","title":"Mapping functional traits: comparing abundance and presence-absence estimates at large spatial scales","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/mapping-functional-traits-comparing-abundance-and-presence-absence-estimates-at-large-spatial-scales","date_published":"2025-01-10T11:50:15Z","content_text":"Efforts to quantify the composition of biological communities increasingly focus on functional traits. The composition of communities in terms of traits can be summarized in several ways. Ecologists are beginning to map the geographic distribution of trait-based metrics from various sources of data, but the maps have not been tested against independent data.","summary":"Efforts to quantify the composition of biological communities increasingly focus on functional traits. The composition of communities in terms of traits can be summarized in several ways. Ecologists are beginning to map the geographic distribution of trait-based metrics from various sources of data, but the maps have not been tested against independent data."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/financial-costs-of-meeting-global-biodiversity-conservation-targets-current-spending-and-unmet-needs","title":"Financial costs of meeting global biodiversity conservation targets: current spending and unmet needs","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/financial-costs-of-meeting-global-biodiversity-conservation-targets-current-spending-and-unmet-needs","date_published":"2025-01-10T11:13:11Z","content_text":"World governments have committed to halting human-induced extinctions and safeguarding important sites for biodiversity by 2020, but the financial costs of meeting these targets are largely unknown. We estimate the cost of reducing the extinction risk of all globally threatened bird species (by ≥1 International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List category) to be U.S. $0.875 to $1.23 billion annually over the next decade, of which 12% is currently funded.","summary":"World governments have committed to halting human-induced extinctions and safeguarding important sites for biodiversity by 2020, but the financial costs of meeting these targets are largely unknown. We estimate the cost of reducing the extinction risk of all globally threatened bird species (by ≥1 International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List category) to be U.S. $0.875 to $1.23 billion annually over the next decade, of which 12% is currently funded."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/structured-elicitation-of-expert-judgements-for-threatened-species-assessment-a-case-study-on-a-continental-scale-using-email","title":"Structured elicitation of expert judgements for threatened species assessment: a case study on a continental scale using email","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/structured-elicitation-of-expert-judgements-for-threatened-species-assessment-a-case-study-on-a-continental-scale-using-email","date_published":"2025-01-10T11:10:43Z","content_text":"Expert knowledge is used routinely to inform listing decisions under the IUCN Red List criteria. Differences in opinion arise between experts in the presence of epistemic uncertainty, as a result of different interpretations of incomplete information and differences in individual beliefs, values and experiences. Structured expert elicitation aims to anticipate and account for such differences to increase the accuracy of final estimates.","summary":"Expert knowledge is used routinely to inform listing decisions under the IUCN Red List criteria. Differences in opinion arise between experts in the presence of epistemic uncertainty, as a result of different interpretations of incomplete information and differences in individual beliefs, values and experiences. Structured expert elicitation aims to anticipate and account for such differences to increase the accuracy of final estimates."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/red-flags-correlates-of-impaired-species-recovery","title":"Red flags: correlates of impaired species recovery","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/red-flags-correlates-of-impaired-species-recovery","date_published":"2025-01-10T11:07:07Z","content_text":"Conservation biology research exhibits a striking but unhelpful dichotomy. Analyses of species decline, extinction risk, and threat mitigation typically encompass broad taxonomic and spatial scales. By contrast, most studies of recovery lack generality, pertaining to specific species, populations, or locales. Narrowly focused analyses offer a weak empirical basis for identifying generic recovery correlates across species, particularly in cases where recovery is not effected by an abatement of threats.","summary":"Conservation biology research exhibits a striking but unhelpful dichotomy. Analyses of species decline, extinction risk, and threat mitigation typically encompass broad taxonomic and spatial scales. By contrast, most studies of recovery lack generality, pertaining to specific species, populations, or locales. Narrowly focused analyses offer a weak empirical basis for identifying generic recovery correlates across species, particularly in cases where recovery is not effected by an abatement of threats."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/seabird-conservation-status-threats-and-priority-actions-a-global-assessment","title":"Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/seabird-conservation-status-threats-and-priority-actions-a-global-assessment","date_published":"2025-01-10T11:05:11Z","content_text":"We review the conservation status of, and threats to, all 346 species of seabirds, based on BirdLife International’s data and assessments for the 2010 IUCN Red List. We show that overall, seabirds are more threatened than other comparable groups of birds and that their status has deteriorated faster over recent decades.","summary":"We review the conservation status of, and threats to, all 346 species of seabirds, based on BirdLife International’s data and assessments for the 2010 IUCN Red List. We show that overall, seabirds are more threatened than other comparable groups of birds and that their status has deteriorated faster over recent decades."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/protecting-important-sites-for-biodiversity-contributes-to-meeting-global-conservation-targets","title":"Protecting important sites for biodiversity contributes to meeting global conservation targets","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/protecting-important-sites-for-biodiversity-contributes-to-meeting-global-conservation-targets","date_published":"2025-01-10T10:58:04Z","content_text":"Protected areas (PAs) are a cornerstone of conservation efforts and now cover nearly 13% of the world's land surface, with the world's governments committed to expand this to 17%. However, as biodiversity continues to decline, the effectiveness of PAs in reducing the extinction risk of species remains largely untested. We analyzed PA coverage and trends in species' extinction risk at globally significant sites for conserving birds (10,993 Important Bird Areas, IBAs) and highly threatened vertebrates and conifers (588 Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, AZEs) (referred to collectively hereafter as ‘important sites’).","summary":"Protected areas (PAs) are a cornerstone of conservation efforts and now cover nearly 13% of the world's land surface, with the world's governments committed to expand this to 17%. However, as biodiversity continues to decline, the effectiveness of PAs in reducing the extinction risk of species remains largely untested. We analyzed PA coverage and trends in species' extinction risk at globally significant sites for conserving birds (10,993 Important Bird Areas, IBAs) and highly threatened vertebrates and conifers (588 Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, AZEs) (referred to collectively hereafter as ‘important sites’)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/multi-species-tracking-reveals-a-major-seabird-hotspot-in-the-north-atlantic","title":"Multi-species tracking reveals a major seabird hotspot in the North Atlantic","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/multi-species-tracking-reveals-a-major-seabird-hotspot-in-the-north-atlantic","date_published":"2025-01-09T16:41:14Z","content_text":"The conservation of migratory marine species, including pelagic seabirds, is challenging because their movements span vast distances frequently beyond national jurisdictions. Here, we aim to identify important aggregations of seabirds in the North Atlantic to inform ongoing regional conservation efforts. Using tracking, phenology, and population data, we mapped the abundance and diversity of 21 seabird species. This revealed a major hotspot associated with a discrete area of the subpolar frontal zone, used annually by 2.9–5 million seabirds from ≥56 colonies in the Atlantic: the first time this magnitude of seabird concentrations has been documented in the high seas. The hotspot is temporally stable and amenable to site-based conservation and is under consideration as a marine protected area by the OSPAR Commission. Protection could help mitigate current and future threats facing species in the area. Overall, our approach provides an exemplar data-driven pathway for future conservation efforts on the high seas.","summary":"The conservation of migratory marine species, including pelagic seabirds, is challenging because their movements span vast distances frequently beyond national jurisdictions. Here, we aim to identify important aggregations of seabirds in the North Atlantic to inform ongoing regional conservation efforts. Using tracking, phenology, and population data, we mapped the abundance and diversity of 21 seabird species. This revealed a major hotspot associated with a discrete area of the subpolar frontal zone, used annually by 2.9–5 million seabirds from ≥56 colonies in the Atlantic: the first time this magnitude of seabird concentrations has been documented in the high seas. The hotspot is temporally stable and amenable to site-based conservation and is under consideration as a marine protected area by the OSPAR Commission. Protection could help mitigate current and future threats facing species in the area. Overall, our approach provides an exemplar data-driven pathway for future conservation efforts on the high seas."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/mapping-global-diversity-patterns-for-migratory-birds","title":"Mapping global diversity patterns for migratory birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/mapping-global-diversity-patterns-for-migratory-birds","date_published":"2025-01-09T16:37:57Z","content_text":"Nearly one in five bird species has separate breeding and overwintering distributions, and the regular migrations of these species cause a substantial seasonal redistribution of avian diversity across the world. However, despite its ecological importance, bird migration has been largely ignored in studies of global avian biodiversity, with few studies having addressed it from a macroecological perspective.","summary":"Nearly one in five bird species has separate breeding and overwintering distributions, and the regular migrations of these species cause a substantial seasonal redistribution of avian diversity across the world. However, despite its ecological importance, bird migration has been largely ignored in studies of global avian biodiversity, with few studies having addressed it from a macroecological perspective."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/crop-expansion-and-conservation-priorities-in-tropical-countries","title":"Crop expansion and conservation priorities in tropical countries","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/crop-expansion-and-conservation-priorities-in-tropical-countries","date_published":"2025-01-09T16:34:34Z","content_text":"Expansion of cropland in tropical countries is one of the principal causes of biodiversity loss, and threatens to undermine progress towards meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. To understand this threat better, we analysed data on crop distribution and expansion in 128 tropical countries, assessed changes in area of the main crops and mapped overlaps between conservation priorities and cultivation potential.","summary":"Expansion of cropland in tropical countries is one of the principal causes of biodiversity loss, and threatens to undermine progress towards meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. To understand this threat better, we analysed data on crop distribution and expansion in 128 tropical countries, assessed changes in area of the main crops and mapped overlaps between conservation priorities and cultivation potential."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/ecological-traits-affect-the-response-of-tropical-forest-bird-species-to-land-use-intensity","title":"Ecological traits affect the response of tropical forest bird species to land-use intensity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/ecological-traits-affect-the-response-of-tropical-forest-bird-species-to-land-use-intensity","date_published":"2025-01-09T16:30:47Z","content_text":"Land-use change is one of the main drivers of current and likely future biodiversity loss. Therefore, understanding how species are affected by it is crucial to guide conservation decisions. Species respond differently to land-use change, possibly related to their traits. Using pan-tropical data on bird occurrence and abundance across a human land-use intensity gradient, we tested the effects of seven traits on observed responses.","summary":"Land-use change is one of the main drivers of current and likely future biodiversity loss. Therefore, understanding how species are affected by it is crucial to guide conservation decisions. Species respond differently to land-use change, possibly related to their traits. Using pan-tropical data on bird occurrence and abundance across a human land-use intensity gradient, we tested the effects of seven traits on observed responses."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/protected-areas-and-effective-biodiversity-conservation","title":"Protected areas and effective biodiversity conservation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/protected-areas-and-effective-biodiversity-conservation","date_published":"2025-01-09T16:27:30Z","content_text":"Although protected areas (PAs) cover 13% of Earth's land, substantial gaps remain in their coverage of global biodiversity. Thus, there has been emphasis on strategic expansion of the global PA network. However, because PAs are often understaffed, underfunded, and beleaguered in the face of external threats, efforts to expand PA coverage should be complemented by appropriate management of existing PAs.","summary":"Although protected areas (PAs) cover 13% of Earth's land, substantial gaps remain in their coverage of global biodiversity. Thus, there has been emphasis on strategic expansion of the global PA network. However, because PAs are often understaffed, underfunded, and beleaguered in the face of external threats, efforts to expand PA coverage should be complemented by appropriate management of existing PAs."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-climate-change-adaptation-priorities-for-biodiversity-and-food-security","title":"Global climate change adaptation priorities for biodiversity and food security","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-climate-change-adaptation-priorities-for-biodiversity-and-food-security","date_published":"2025-01-09T16:25:06Z","content_text":"International policy is placing increasing emphasis on adaptation to climate change, including the allocation of new funds to assist adaptation efforts. Climate change adaptation funding may be most effective where it meets integrated goals, but global geographic priorities based on multiple development and ecological criteria are not well characterized. Here we show that human and natural adaptation needs related to maintaining agricultural productivity and ecosystem integrity intersect in ten major areas globally, providing a coherent set of international priorities for adaptation funding.","summary":"International policy is placing increasing emphasis on adaptation to climate change, including the allocation of new funds to assist adaptation efforts. Climate change adaptation funding may be most effective where it meets integrated goals, but global geographic priorities based on multiple development and ecological criteria are not well characterized. Here we show that human and natural adaptation needs related to maintaining agricultural productivity and ecosystem integrity intersect in ten major areas globally, providing a coherent set of international priorities for adaptation funding."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/challenges-and-opportunities-for-conserving-kbas-under-climate-change","title":"Challenges and Opportunities for Conserving KBAs Under Climate Change ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/challenges-and-opportunities-for-conserving-kbas-under-climate-change","date_published":"2025-01-09T16:24:37Z","content_text":"A new book ‘Key Biodiversity Areas’ was launched at the World Conservation Congress. Published in the CEMEX Nature and Conservation Series, this volume showcases the splendour of Key Biodiversity Areas and their species and ecosystems with some amazing photographic images. Leading global experts explore different applications or implications of these sites in the fight to stop the global loss of biodiversity with stunning photographs that tell the stories of the sites themselves, and the species and ecosystems for which they are important. In 10 informative chapters, the authors discuss different applications of the KBA Program in the overall fight to stop the global loss of biodiversity, including the roles of national and regional governments, spatial planning, the KBA Standard and the World Database of KBAs, Sustainable Development Goals, the challenges of changing climatic conditions, and what the future holds for KBAs. As a blueprint for effectively conserving and scaling up action for our planet’s biodiversity, KBAs should be the foundation of ambitious global targets to conserve and protect the future of our planet’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems and species. We are grateful for CEMEX for their continued support to publicising the plight of biodiversity and the environment.  \n\nA PDF copy of the CEMEX 'Key Biodiversity Areas' book can be download from the page in the link and this paper is found on Pp. 247-254 (in Langhammer, P. F., Mittermeier, R. A., Plumptre, A. J., Waliczky, Z. & Sechrest, W. eds. Key Biodiversity Areas. Cemex) ","summary":"A new book ‘Key Biodiversity Areas’ was launched at the World Conservation Congress. Published in the CEMEX Nature and Conservation Series, this volume showcases the splendour of Key Biodiversity Areas and their species and ecosystems with some amazing photographic images. Leading global experts explore different applications or implications of these sites in the fight to stop the global loss of biodiversity with stunning photographs that tell the stories of the sites themselves, and the species and ecosystems for which they are important. In 10 informative chapters, the authors discuss different applications of the KBA Program in the overall fight to stop the global loss of biodiversity, including the roles of national and regional governments, spatial planning, the KBA Standard and the World Database of KBAs, Sustainable Development Goals, the challenges of changing climatic conditions, and what the future holds for KBAs. As a blueprint for effectively conserving and scaling up action for our planet’s biodiversity, KBAs should be the foundation of ambitious global targets to conserve and protect the future of our planet’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems and species. We are grateful for CEMEX for their continued support to publicising the plight of biodiversity and the environment.  \n\nA PDF copy of the CEMEX 'Key Biodiversity Areas' book can be download from the page in the link and this paper is found on Pp. 247-254 (in Langhammer, P. F., Mittermeier, R. A., Plumptre, A. J., Waliczky, Z. & Sechrest, W. eds. Key Biodiversity Areas. Cemex) "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/identifying-the-worlds-most-climate-change-vulnerable-species-a-systematic-trait-based-assessment-of-all-birds-amphibians-and-corals","title":" Identifying the world's most climate change vulnerable species: a systematic trait-based assessment of all birds, amphibians and corals","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/identifying-the-worlds-most-climate-change-vulnerable-species-a-systematic-trait-based-assessment-of-all-birds-amphibians-and-corals","date_published":"2025-01-09T16:21:24Z","content_text":"Climate change will have far-reaching impacts on biodiversity, including increasing extinction rates. Current approaches to quantifying such impacts focus on measuring exposure to climatic change and largely ignore the biological differences between species that may significantly increase or reduce their vulnerability. To address this, we present a framework for assessing three dimensions of climate change vulnerability, namely sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity; this draws on species’ biological traits and their modeled exposure to projected climatic changes. In the largest such assessment to date, we applied this approach to each of the world’s birds, amphibians and corals (16,857 species).","summary":"Climate change will have far-reaching impacts on biodiversity, including increasing extinction rates. Current approaches to quantifying such impacts focus on measuring exposure to climatic change and largely ignore the biological differences between species that may significantly increase or reduce their vulnerability. To address this, we present a framework for assessing three dimensions of climate change vulnerability, namely sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity; this draws on species’ biological traits and their modeled exposure to projected climatic changes. In the largest such assessment to date, we applied this approach to each of the world’s birds, amphibians and corals (16,857 species)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/setting-priorities-for-climate-change-adaptation-of-critical-sites-in-the-africa-eurasian-waterbird-flyways","title":"Setting priorities for climate change adaptation of Critical Sites in the Africa-Eurasian waterbird flyways","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/setting-priorities-for-climate-change-adaptation-of-critical-sites-in-the-africa-eurasian-waterbird-flyways","date_published":"2025-01-09T15:46:04Z","content_text":"Despite their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally. The conservation of many migratory waterbirds depends on the conservation of a network of key sites along their flyways. However, the suitability of these sites is changing under climate change, and it is important that management of individual sites in the network adapts to these changes. Using bioclimatic models that also account for changes in inundation, we found that projected climate change will reduce habitat suitability for waterbirds at 57.5% of existing Critical Sites within Africa-Eurasia, varying from 20.1% in Eastern Europe to 87.0% in Africa. African and Middle East sites are particularly threatened, comprising 71 of the 100 most vulnerable sites. By highlighting priority sites for conservation and classifying Critical Sites into Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS) classes, our results can be used to support the climate change adaptation of both individual sites and the entire site network.","summary":"Despite their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally. The conservation of many migratory waterbirds depends on the conservation of a network of key sites along their flyways. However, the suitability of these sites is changing under climate change, and it is important that management of individual sites in the network adapts to these changes. Using bioclimatic models that also account for changes in inundation, we found that projected climate change will reduce habitat suitability for waterbirds at 57.5% of existing Critical Sites within Africa-Eurasia, varying from 20.1% in Eastern Europe to 87.0% in Africa. African and Middle East sites are particularly threatened, comprising 71 of the 100 most vulnerable sites. By highlighting priority sites for conservation and classifying Critical Sites into Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS) classes, our results can be used to support the climate change adaptation of both individual sites and the entire site network."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-economic-consequences-of-conserving-or-restoring-sites-for-nature","title":"The economic consequences of conserving or restoring sites for nature","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-economic-consequences-of-conserving-or-restoring-sites-for-nature","date_published":"2025-01-09T15:36:29Z","content_text":"Nature provides many benefits for people, yet there are few data on how changes at individual sites impact the net value of ecosystem service provision. A 2002 review found only five analyses comparing the net economic benefits of conserving nature versus pursuing an alternative, more intensive human use. Here we revisit this crucial comparison, synthesizing recent data from 62 sites worldwide. In 24 cases with economic estimates of services, conservation or restoration benefits (for example, greenhouse gas regulation, flood protection) tend to outweigh those private benefits (for example, profits from agriculture or logging) driving change to the alternative state. Net benefits rise rapidly with increasing social cost of carbon. Qualitative data from all 62 sites suggest that monetization of additional services would further increase the difference. Although conservation and restoration did not universally provide greater net value than the alternative state, across a large, geographically and contextually diverse sample, our findings indicate that at current levels of habitat conversion, conserving and restoring sites typically benefits human prosperity.","summary":"Nature provides many benefits for people, yet there are few data on how changes at individual sites impact the net value of ecosystem service provision. A 2002 review found only five analyses comparing the net economic benefits of conserving nature versus pursuing an alternative, more intensive human use. Here we revisit this crucial comparison, synthesizing recent data from 62 sites worldwide. In 24 cases with economic estimates of services, conservation or restoration benefits (for example, greenhouse gas regulation, flood protection) tend to outweigh those private benefits (for example, profits from agriculture or logging) driving change to the alternative state. Net benefits rise rapidly with increasing social cost of carbon. Qualitative data from all 62 sites suggest that monetization of additional services would further increase the difference. Although conservation and restoration did not universally provide greater net value than the alternative state, across a large, geographically and contextually diverse sample, our findings indicate that at current levels of habitat conversion, conserving and restoring sites typically benefits human prosperity."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/gps-tracking-reveals-highly-consistent-use-of-restricted-foraging-areas-by-european-storm-petrels-hydrobates-pelagicus-breeding-at-the-largest-uk-colony-implications-for-conservation-management","title":"GPS tracking reveals highly consistent use of restricted foraging areas by European Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus breeding at the largest UK colony: implications for conservation management","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/gps-tracking-reveals-highly-consistent-use-of-restricted-foraging-areas-by-european-storm-petrels-hydrobates-pelagicus-breeding-at-the-largest-uk-colony-implications-for-conservation-management","date_published":"2025-01-09T15:27:14Z","content_text":"Seabirds face a diverse array of threats and are considered to comprise one of the most threatened avian groups globally. Development of appropriate conservation action requires a knowledge of the marine distribution of seabirds, furnished either by tracking the movements of individuals, or from at-sea surveys. Obtaining information on the distribution of the smallest seabird species, the storm-petrels Hydrobatidae, is challenging, but the recent development of <1 g GPS tracking tags now enables high-precision tracking and this study reports the first multi-year high-precision tracking of European Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus from their largest UK breeding colony. A total of 42 successful tag deployments were made over four breeding seasons during incubation, brooding and post-brood phases, and there was no evidence of adverse impacts on adult body mass or nest survival rates. Foraging trips lasted between one and three days and ranged up to 397 km from the colony (median = 159 km). Foraging range and total distance covered were positively correlated with trip duration but did not differ across breeding stages. Storm-petrels did not feed to the west of the colony at the edge of the continental shelf where high concentrations have been reported in previous decades from boat surveys, but rather, foraging was restricted to shallow waters south of the colony, consistent across individuals, breeding stages and years. Two areas were identified that exceed the threshold criteria for marine Important Bird Area status and should be considered for statutory protection. The home range estimated across all three breeding stages overlapped with 206 active hydrocarbon wells and 14 operating platforms which represent potential threats as sources of surface pollution or through attraction of birds to gas flares. Improved understanding of the foraging distribution of storm-petrels from this protected colony greatly assists the identification of potential threats and informs appropriate marine spatial planning.","summary":"Seabirds face a diverse array of threats and are considered to comprise one of the most threatened avian groups globally. Development of appropriate conservation action requires a knowledge of the marine distribution of seabirds, furnished either by tracking the movements of individuals, or from at-sea surveys. Obtaining information on the distribution of the smallest seabird species, the storm-petrels Hydrobatidae, is challenging, but the recent development of <1 g GPS tracking tags now enables high-precision tracking and this study reports the first multi-year high-precision tracking of European Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus from their largest UK breeding colony. A total of 42 successful tag deployments were made over four breeding seasons during incubation, brooding and post-brood phases, and there was no evidence of adverse impacts on adult body mass or nest survival rates. Foraging trips lasted between one and three days and ranged up to 397 km from the colony (median = 159 km). Foraging range and total distance covered were positively correlated with trip duration but did not differ across breeding stages. Storm-petrels did not feed to the west of the colony at the edge of the continental shelf where high concentrations have been reported in previous decades from boat surveys, but rather, foraging was restricted to shallow waters south of the colony, consistent across individuals, breeding stages and years. Two areas were identified that exceed the threshold criteria for marine Important Bird Area status and should be considered for statutory protection. The home range estimated across all three breeding stages overlapped with 206 active hydrocarbon wells and 14 operating platforms which represent potential threats as sources of surface pollution or through attraction of birds to gas flares. Improved understanding of the foraging distribution of storm-petrels from this protected colony greatly assists the identification of potential threats and informs appropriate marine spatial planning."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/track2kba-an-r-package-for-identifying-important-sites-for-biodiversity-from-tracking-data","title":"track2KBA: An R package for identifying important sites for biodiversity from tracking data","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/track2kba-an-r-package-for-identifying-important-sites-for-biodiversity-from-tracking-data","date_published":"2025-01-09T15:11:19Z","content_text":"1. Identifying important sites for biodiversity is vital for conservation and management. However, there is a lack of accessible, easily applied tools that enable practitioners to delineate important sites for highly mobile species using established criteria.\n2. We introduce the R package ‘track2KBA’, a tool to identify important sites at the population level using tracking data from individual animals based on three key steps: (a) identifying individual core areas, (b) assessing population-level representativeness of the sample and (c) quantifying spatial overlap among individuals and scaling up to the population.\n3. We describe package functionality and exemplify its application using tracking data from three taxa in contrasting environments: a seal, a marine turtle and a migratory land bird.\n4. This tool facilitates the delineation of sites of ecological relevance for diverse taxa and provides output useful for assessing their importance to a population or species, as in the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Standard. As such, ‘track2KBA’ can contribute directly to conservation planning at global and regional levels.","summary":"1. Identifying important sites for biodiversity is vital for conservation and management. However, there is a lack of accessible, easily applied tools that enable practitioners to delineate important sites for highly mobile species using established criteria.\n2. We introduce the R package ‘track2KBA’, a tool to identify important sites at the population level using tracking data from individual animals based on three key steps: (a) identifying individual core areas, (b) assessing population-level representativeness of the sample and (c) quantifying spatial overlap among individuals and scaling up to the population.\n3. We describe package functionality and exemplify its application using tracking data from three taxa in contrasting environments: a seal, a marine turtle and a migratory land bird.\n4. This tool facilitates the delineation of sites of ecological relevance for diverse taxa and provides output useful for assessing their importance to a population or species, as in the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Standard. As such, ‘track2KBA’ can contribute directly to conservation planning at global and regional levels."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/iba-identification-for-seabirds-in-croatia-supporting-designation-of-marine-spas","title":"IBA Identification for Seabirds in Croatia; supporting designation of Marine SPAs","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/iba-identification-for-seabirds-in-croatia-supporting-designation-of-marine-spas","date_published":"2025-01-09T14:55:36Z","content_text":"This study is part of the LIFE Artina project (LIFE 17 NAT/HR/000594), and formally identifies important sites (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, IBAs) at sea for three species of pelagic seabirds breeding in Croatia, namely Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan), Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) and Audouin’s Gull (Larus audouinii). The work contributes to contemporary evidence for marine spatial planning in Croatian, and surrounding, waters. A specific objective of the work is to contribute to the identification of Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Under the EU Directive on the conservation of wild birds (Birds Directive), SPA identification serves to inform the designation of Natura 2000 network sites, ultimately benefiting countries to meet targets set within globally agreed upon initiatives. New IBAs are Hvar Channel, Korcula Channel, Lastovo Channel, East Mljet Channel, Northern Adriatic CRO and Northern Adriatic IT and extended IBAs are Lastovo Archipelago and Offshore Islands.","summary":"This study is part of the LIFE Artina project (LIFE 17 NAT/HR/000594), and formally identifies important sites (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, IBAs) at sea for three species of pelagic seabirds breeding in Croatia, namely Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan), Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) and Audouin’s Gull (Larus audouinii). The work contributes to contemporary evidence for marine spatial planning in Croatian, and surrounding, waters. A specific objective of the work is to contribute to the identification of Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Under the EU Directive on the conservation of wild birds (Birds Directive), SPA identification serves to inform the designation of Natura 2000 network sites, ultimately benefiting countries to meet targets set within globally agreed upon initiatives. New IBAs are Hvar Channel, Korcula Channel, Lastovo Channel, East Mljet Channel, Northern Adriatic CRO and Northern Adriatic IT and extended IBAs are Lastovo Archipelago and Offshore Islands."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/evaluating-the-effectiveness-of-conservation-site-networks-under-climate-change-accounting-for-uncertainty","title":"Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation site networks under climate change: accounting for uncertainty","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/evaluating-the-effectiveness-of-conservation-site-networks-under-climate-change-accounting-for-uncertainty","date_published":"2025-01-08T10:15:22Z","content_text":"We forecasted potential impacts of climate change on the ability of a network of key sites for bird conservation (Important Bird Areas; IBAs) to provide suitable climate for 370 bird species of current conservation concern in two Asian biodiversity hotspots: the Eastern Himalaya and Lower Mekong.","summary":"We forecasted potential impacts of climate change on the ability of a network of key sites for bird conservation (Important Bird Areas; IBAs) to provide suitable climate for 370 bird species of current conservation concern in two Asian biodiversity hotspots: the Eastern Himalaya and Lower Mekong."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/targeting-global-protected-area-expansion-for-imperilled-biodiversity","title":"Targeting global protected area expansion for imperilled biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/targeting-global-protected-area-expansion-for-imperilled-biodiversity","date_published":"2025-01-08T10:07:46Z","content_text":"Governments have agreed to expand the global protected area network from 13% to 17% of the world's land surface by 2020 (Aichi target 11) and to prevent the further loss of known threatened species (Aichi target 12). These targets are interdependent, as protected areas can stem biodiversity loss when strategically located and effectively managed. However, the global protected area estate is currently biased toward locations that are cheap to protect and away from important areas for biodiversity.","summary":"Governments have agreed to expand the global protected area network from 13% to 17% of the world's land surface by 2020 (Aichi target 11) and to prevent the further loss of known threatened species (Aichi target 12). These targets are interdependent, as protected areas can stem biodiversity loss when strategically located and effectively managed. However, the global protected area estate is currently biased toward locations that are cheap to protect and away from important areas for biodiversity."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-biogeography-of-globally-threatened-seabirds-and-island-conservation-opportunities","title":"The biogeography of globally threatened seabirds and island conservation opportunities","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-biogeography-of-globally-threatened-seabirds-and-island-conservation-opportunities","date_published":"2025-01-08T09:31:59Z","content_text":"Seabirds are the most threatened group of marine animals; 29% of species are at some risk of extinction. Significant threats to seabirds occur on islands where they breed, but in many cases, effective island conservation can mitigate these threats. To guide island-based seabird conservation actions, we identified all islands with extant or extirpated populations of the 98 globally threatened seabird species, as recognized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and quantified the presence of threatening invasive species, protected areas, and human populations.","summary":"Seabirds are the most threatened group of marine animals; 29% of species are at some risk of extinction. Significant threats to seabirds occur on islands where they breed, but in many cases, effective island conservation can mitigate these threats. To guide island-based seabird conservation actions, we identified all islands with extant or extirpated populations of the 98 globally threatened seabird species, as recognized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and quantified the presence of threatening invasive species, protected areas, and human populations."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/update-or-outdate-long-term-viability-of-the-iucn-red-list","title":"Update or outdate: long-term viability of the IUCN Red List","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/update-or-outdate-long-term-viability-of-the-iucn-red-list","date_published":"2025-01-08T09:28:54Z","content_text":"It is estimated that the global yearly expenditure on biodiversity conservation action exceeds one billion U.S. dollars. One of the key tools for prioritizing conservation actions is the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the most authoritative and comprehensive source of information on the global extinction risk of species (covering ca. 60,000 as of today). While IUCN's vision is to increase the taxonomic coverage of the Red List, no adequate plan exists to keep it up to date.","summary":"It is estimated that the global yearly expenditure on biodiversity conservation action exceeds one billion U.S. dollars. One of the key tools for prioritizing conservation actions is the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the most authoritative and comprehensive source of information on the global extinction risk of species (covering ca. 60,000 as of today). While IUCN's vision is to increase the taxonomic coverage of the Red List, no adequate plan exists to keep it up to date."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/functional-traits-land-use-change-and-the-structure-of-present-and-future-bird-communities-in-tropical-forests","title":"Functional traits, land-use change and the structure of present and future bird communities in tropical forests","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/functional-traits-land-use-change-and-the-structure-of-present-and-future-bird-communities-in-tropical-forests","date_published":"2025-01-08T09:26:09Z","content_text":"Habitat loss continues to cause loss of biodiversity. To quantify the effects of land-use change on the diversity and composition of ecological communities – in terms of functional groups – we make modelled estimates of the impact of past and future (to 2050) land-use change on the overall diversity and dietary guild structure of tropical forest bird communities.","summary":"Habitat loss continues to cause loss of biodiversity. To quantify the effects of land-use change on the diversity and composition of ecological communities – in terms of functional groups – we make modelled estimates of the impact of past and future (to 2050) land-use change on the overall diversity and dietary guild structure of tropical forest bird communities."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-model-of-the-response-of-tropical-and-sub-tropical-forest-biodiversity-to-anthropogenic-pressures","title":"A global model of the response of tropical and sub-tropical forest biodiversity to anthropogenic pressures","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-model-of-the-response-of-tropical-and-sub-tropical-forest-biodiversity-to-anthropogenic-pressures","date_published":"2025-01-08T09:23:27Z","content_text":"Habitat loss and degradation, driven largely by agricultural expansion and intensification, present the greatest immediate threat to biodiversity. Tropical forests harbour among the highest levels of terrestrial species diversity and are likely to experience rapid land-use change in the coming decades. Synthetic analyses of observed responses of species are useful for quantifying how land use affects biodiversity and for predicting outcomes under land-use scenarios.","summary":"Habitat loss and degradation, driven largely by agricultural expansion and intensification, present the greatest immediate threat to biodiversity. Tropical forests harbour among the highest levels of terrestrial species diversity and are likely to experience rapid land-use change in the coming decades. Synthetic analyses of observed responses of species are useful for quantifying how land use affects biodiversity and for predicting outcomes under land-use scenarios."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/range-wide-latitudinal-and-elevational-temperature-gradients-for-the-worlds-terrestrial-birds-implications-under-global-climate-change","title":"Range-wide latitudinal and elevational temperature gradients for the world's terrestrial birds: implications under global climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/range-wide-latitudinal-and-elevational-temperature-gradients-for-the-worlds-terrestrial-birds-implications-under-global-climate-change","date_published":"2025-01-03T16:33:28Z","content_text":"Species' geographical distributions are tracking latitudinal and elevational surface temperature gradients under global climate change. To evaluate the opportunities to track these gradients across space, we provide a first baseline assessment of the steepness of these gradients for the world's terrestrial birds.","summary":"Species' geographical distributions are tracking latitudinal and elevational surface temperature gradients under global climate change. To evaluate the opportunities to track these gradients across space, we provide a first baseline assessment of the steepness of these gradients for the world's terrestrial birds."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-biodiversity-indicators-dashboard-addressing-challenges-to-monitoring-progress-towards-the-aichi-biodiversity-targets-using-disaggregated-global-data","title":"A biodiversity indicators dashboard: addressing challenges to monitoring progress towards the Aichi biodiversity targets using disaggregated global data","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-biodiversity-indicators-dashboard-addressing-challenges-to-monitoring-progress-towards-the-aichi-biodiversity-targets-using-disaggregated-global-data","date_published":"2025-01-03T16:30:37Z","content_text":"Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's “Aichi Targets”. These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it.","summary":"Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's “Aichi Targets”. These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/prioritising-islands-for-the-eradication-of-invasive-vertebrates-in-the-uk-overseas-territories","title":"Prioritising islands for the eradication of invasive vertebrates in the UK overseas territories","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/prioritising-islands-for-the-eradication-of-invasive-vertebrates-in-the-uk-overseas-territories","date_published":"2025-01-03T15:53:07Z","content_text":"Invasive alien species are one of the primary threats to native biodiversity on islands worldwide. Consequently, eradicating invasive species from islands has become a mainstream conservation practice. Deciding which islands have the highest priority for eradication is of strategic importance to allocate limited resources to achieve maximum conservation benefit.","summary":"Invasive alien species are one of the primary threats to native biodiversity on islands worldwide. Consequently, eradicating invasive species from islands has become a mainstream conservation practice. Deciding which islands have the highest priority for eradication is of strategic importance to allocate limited resources to achieve maximum conservation benefit."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/conservation-breeding-and-avian-diversity-chances-and-challenges","title":"Conservation breeding and avian diversity: chances and challenges","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/conservation-breeding-and-avian-diversity-chances-and-challenges","date_published":"2025-01-03T15:49:37Z","content_text":"Given the increasing rapprochement between aviculture and conservation organizations and the escalating global crisis in species conservation, we enumerate the avian taxa that are subject to, or might most appropriately be considered for, conservation-breeding programmes.","summary":"Given the increasing rapprochement between aviculture and conservation organizations and the escalating global crisis in species conservation, we enumerate the avian taxa that are subject to, or might most appropriately be considered for, conservation-breeding programmes."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/reintroducing-the-red-billed-curassow-in-brazil-population-viability-analysis-points-to-potential-success","title":"Reintroducing the red-billed curassow in Brazil: Population viability analysis points to potential success","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/reintroducing-the-red-billed-curassow-in-brazil-population-viability-analysis-points-to-potential-success","date_published":"2025-01-03T15:46:43Z","content_text":"Reintroduction can be enhanced by data from long-term post-release monitoring, which allows for modeling opportunities such as population viability analysis (PVA). PVA-relevant data were gathered via long-term monitoring of reintroduced red-billed curassows at the Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve (REGUA), located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, over 25 months.","summary":"Reintroduction can be enhanced by data from long-term post-release monitoring, which allows for modeling opportunities such as population viability analysis (PVA). PVA-relevant data were gathered via long-term monitoring of reintroduced red-billed curassows at the Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve (REGUA), located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, over 25 months."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/preventing-species-extinctions-resulting-from-climate-change","title":"Preventing species extinctions resulting from climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/preventing-species-extinctions-resulting-from-climate-change","date_published":"2025-01-03T15:43:13Z","content_text":"Recent studies show that current IUCN Red List assessment methods can identify species vulnerable to extinction because of climate change. But species must be assessed more completely and more regularly, and adaptation actions initiated swiftly once threatened species are identified.","summary":"Recent studies show that current IUCN Red List assessment methods can identify species vulnerable to extinction because of climate change. But species must be assessed more completely and more regularly, and adaptation actions initiated swiftly once threatened species are identified."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/integrating-climate-change-vulnerability-assessments-from-species-distribution-models-and-trait-based-approaches","title":"Integrating climate change vulnerability assessments from species distribution models and trait-based approaches","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/integrating-climate-change-vulnerability-assessments-from-species-distribution-models-and-trait-based-approaches","date_published":"2025-01-03T14:23:25Z","content_text":"To accommodate climate-driven changes in biological communities, conservation plans are increasingly making use of models to predict species’ responses to climate change. To date, species distribution models have been the most commonly used approach for assessing species’ vulnerability to climate change.","summary":"To accommodate climate-driven changes in biological communities, conservation plans are increasingly making use of models to predict species’ responses to climate change. To date, species distribution models have been the most commonly used approach for assessing species’ vulnerability to climate change."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/considering-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-human-communities-significantly-alters-the-outcome-of-species-and-site-based-vulnerability-assessments","title":"Considering the impact of climate change on human communities significantly alters the outcome of species and site-based vulnerability assessments","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/considering-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-human-communities-significantly-alters-the-outcome-of-species-and-site-based-vulnerability-assessments","date_published":"2025-01-03T14:20:08Z","content_text":"Human activities are largely responsible for the processes that threaten biodiversity, yet potential changes in human behaviour as a response to climate change are ignored in most species and site-based vulnerability assessments (VAs). Here we assess how incorporation of the potential impact of climate change on humans alters our view of vulnerability when using well-established site and species VA methodologies.","summary":"Human activities are largely responsible for the processes that threaten biodiversity, yet potential changes in human behaviour as a response to climate change are ignored in most species and site-based vulnerability assessments (VAs). Here we assess how incorporation of the potential impact of climate change on humans alters our view of vulnerability when using well-established site and species VA methodologies."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/protected-areas-and-global-conservation-of-migratory-birds","title":"Protected areas and global conservation of migratory birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/protected-areas-and-global-conservation-of-migratory-birds","date_published":"2025-01-03T14:18:01Z","content_text":"Migratory species depend on a suite of interconnected sites. Threats to unprotected links in these chains of sites are driving rapid population declines of migrants around the world, yet the extent to which different parts of the annual cycle are protected remains unknown. We show that just 9% of 1451 migratory birds are adequately covered by protected areas across all stages of their annual cycle, in comparison with 45% of nonmigratory birds.","summary":"Migratory species depend on a suite of interconnected sites. Threats to unprotected links in these chains of sites are driving rapid population declines of migrants around the world, yet the extent to which different parts of the annual cycle are protected remains unknown. We show that just 9% of 1451 migratory birds are adequately covered by protected areas across all stages of their annual cycle, in comparison with 45% of nonmigratory birds."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/geographic-variation-in-species-population-responses-to-changes-in-temperature-and-precipitation","title":"Geographic variation in species’ population responses to changes in temperature and precipitation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/geographic-variation-in-species-population-responses-to-changes-in-temperature-and-precipitation","date_published":"2025-01-03T13:59:55Z","content_text":"Despite increasing concerns about the vulnerability of species' populations to climate change, there has been little overall synthesis of how individual population responses to variation in climate differ between taxa, with trophic level or geographically. To address this, we extracted data from 132 long-term (greater than or equal to 20 years) studies of population responses to temperature and precipitation covering 236 animal and plant species across terrestrial and freshwater habitats.","summary":"Despite increasing concerns about the vulnerability of species' populations to climate change, there has been little overall synthesis of how individual population responses to variation in climate differ between taxa, with trophic level or geographically. To address this, we extracted data from 132 long-term (greater than or equal to 20 years) studies of population responses to temperature and precipitation covering 236 animal and plant species across terrestrial and freshwater habitats."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-species-vulnerability-to-climate-change","title":"Assessing species vulnerability to climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-species-vulnerability-to-climate-change","date_published":"2025-01-03T13:57:27Z","content_text":"The effects of climate change on biodiversity are increasingly well documented, and many methods have been developed to assess species' vulnerability to climatic changes, both ongoing and projected in the coming decades. To minimize global biodiversity losses, conservationists need to identify those species that are likely to be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In this Review, we summarize different currencies used for assessing species' climate change vulnerability.","summary":"The effects of climate change on biodiversity are increasingly well documented, and many methods have been developed to assess species' vulnerability to climatic changes, both ongoing and projected in the coming decades. To minimize global biodiversity losses, conservationists need to identify those species that are likely to be most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In this Review, we summarize different currencies used for assessing species' climate change vulnerability."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/shortfalls-and-solutions-for-meeting-national-and-global-conservation-area-targets","title":"Shortfalls and solutions for meeting national and global conservation area targets","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/shortfalls-and-solutions-for-meeting-national-and-global-conservation-area-targets","date_published":"2025-01-03T13:52:39Z","content_text":"Governments have committed to conserving ≥17% of terrestrial and ≥10% of marine environments globally, especially “areas of particular importance for biodiversity” through “ecologically representative” Protected Area (PA) systems or other “area-based conservation measures”, while individual countries have committed to conserve 3–50% of their land area. We estimate that PAs currently cover 14.6% of terrestrial and 2.8% of marine extent, but 59–68% of ecoregions, 77–78% of important sites for biodiversity, and 57% of 25,380 species have inadequate coverage.","summary":"Governments have committed to conserving ≥17% of terrestrial and ≥10% of marine environments globally, especially “areas of particular importance for biodiversity” through “ecologically representative” Protected Area (PA) systems or other “area-based conservation measures”, while individual countries have committed to conserve 3–50% of their land area. We estimate that PAs currently cover 14.6% of terrestrial and 2.8% of marine extent, but 59–68% of ecoregions, 77–78% of important sites for biodiversity, and 57% of 25,380 species have inadequate coverage."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/notes-on-the-behaviour-plumage-and-distribution-of-the-white-tailed-swallow-hirundo-megaensis","title":"Notes on the behaviour, plumage and distribution of the White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/notes-on-the-behaviour-plumage-and-distribution-of-the-white-tailed-swallow-hirundo-megaensis","date_published":"2025-01-03T13:49:38Z","content_text":"The White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis is a threatened and poorly known bird endemic to southern Ethiopia, where it is restricted to a small area of Acacia savanna. Despite the paucity of previous nest records, we found 67 nests in the years 2010–14, commonly in village huts lived in by people, and report the first confirmation of nesting (two certain records) in termite mounds.","summary":"The White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis is a threatened and poorly known bird endemic to southern Ethiopia, where it is restricted to a small area of Acacia savanna. Despite the paucity of previous nest records, we found 67 nests in the years 2010–14, commonly in village huts lived in by people, and report the first confirmation of nesting (two certain records) in termite mounds."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-climate-change-impacts-for-vertebrate-fauna-across-the-west-africa-protected-area-network-using-regionally-appropriate-climate-projections","title":"Assessing climate change impacts for vertebrate fauna across the West Africa protected area network using regionally appropriate climate projections","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-climate-change-impacts-for-vertebrate-fauna-across-the-west-africa-protected-area-network-using-regionally-appropriate-climate-projections","date_published":"2025-01-03T11:16:23Z","content_text":"We conduct the first assessment of likely future climate change impacts for biodiversity across the West African protected area (PA) network using climate projections that capture important climate regimes (e.g. West African Monsoon) and mesoscale processes that are often poorly simulated in general circulation models (GCMs).","summary":"We conduct the first assessment of likely future climate change impacts for biodiversity across the West African protected area (PA) network using climate projections that capture important climate regimes (e.g. West African Monsoon) and mesoscale processes that are often poorly simulated in general circulation models (GCMs)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/trade-and-habitat-change-virtually-eliminate-the-grey-parrot-psittacus-erithacus-from-ghana","title":" Trade and habitat change virtually eliminate the Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus from Ghana","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/trade-and-habitat-change-virtually-eliminate-the-grey-parrot-psittacus-erithacus-from-ghana","date_published":"2025-01-03T11:12:30Z","content_text":"The heavily traded Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus is believed to have undergone rapid population decline, yet there are almost no quantitative data on abundance changes over time from anywhere within its huge range. We reviewed the species’ historical abundance across Ghana, undertook targeted searches during 3- to 5-day visits to 42 100-km2 cells across the country's forest zone, repeated counts at 22 parrot roosts first performed two decades ago and gauged around 900 people's perceptions of the decline and its causes.","summary":"The heavily traded Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus is believed to have undergone rapid population decline, yet there are almost no quantitative data on abundance changes over time from anywhere within its huge range. We reviewed the species’ historical abundance across Ghana, undertook targeted searches during 3- to 5-day visits to 42 100-km2 cells across the country's forest zone, repeated counts at 22 parrot roosts first performed two decades ago and gauged around 900 people's perceptions of the decline and its causes."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/temporal-shifts-and-temperature-sensitivity-of-avian-spring-migratory-phenology-a-phylogenetic-meta-analysis","title":"Temporal shifts and temperature sensitivity of avian spring migratory phenology: a phylogenetic meta-analysis","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/temporal-shifts-and-temperature-sensitivity-of-avian-spring-migratory-phenology-a-phylogenetic-meta-analysis","date_published":"2024-12-19T14:05:44Z","content_text":"There are wide reports of advances in the timing of spring migration of birds over time and in relation to rising temperatures, though phenological responses vary substantially within and among species. An understanding of the ecological, life-history and geographic variables that predict this intra- and interspecific variation can guide our projections of how populations and species are likely to respond to future climate change.","summary":"There are wide reports of advances in the timing of spring migration of birds over time and in relation to rising temperatures, though phenological responses vary substantially within and among species. An understanding of the ecological, life-history and geographic variables that predict this intra- and interspecific variation can guide our projections of how populations and species are likely to respond to future climate change."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/toward-quantification-of-the-impact-of-21st-century-deforestation-on-the-extinction-risk-of-terrestrial-vertebrates","title":"Toward quantification of the impact of 21st century deforestation on the extinction risk of terrestrial vertebrates","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/toward-quantification-of-the-impact-of-21st-century-deforestation-on-the-extinction-risk-of-terrestrial-vertebrates","date_published":"2024-12-19T13:56:31Z","content_text":"Conservation actions need to be prioritized, often taking into account species’ extinction risk. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List provides an accepted, objective framework for the assessment of extinction risk. Assessments based on data collected in the field are the best option, but the field data to base these on are often limited.","summary":"Conservation actions need to be prioritized, often taking into account species’ extinction risk. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List provides an accepted, objective framework for the assessment of extinction risk. Assessments based on data collected in the field are the best option, but the field data to base these on are often limited."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-coverage-of-agricultural-sustainability-standards-and-their-role-in-conserving-biodiversity","title":"Global coverage of agricultural sustainability standards, and their role in conserving biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-coverage-of-agricultural-sustainability-standards-and-their-role-in-conserving-biodiversity","date_published":"2024-12-19T13:52:36Z","content_text":"Voluntary sustainability standards have increased in uptake over the last decade; here, we explore their potential contribution to biodiversity conservation and other aspects of agricultural sustainability. We reviewed the content of 12 major crop standards and quantified their global coverage.","summary":"Voluntary sustainability standards have increased in uptake over the last decade; here, we explore their potential contribution to biodiversity conservation and other aspects of agricultural sustainability. We reviewed the content of 12 major crop standards and quantified their global coverage."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/consistent-response-of-bird-populations-to-climate-change-on-two-continents","title":"Consistent response of bird populations to climate change on two continents","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/consistent-response-of-bird-populations-to-climate-change-on-two-continents","date_published":"2024-12-19T13:50:02Z","content_text":"Global climate change is a major threat to biodiversity. Large-scale analyses have generally focused on the impacts of climate change on the geographic ranges of species and on phenology, the timing of ecological phenomena. We used long-term monitoring of the abundance of breeding birds across Europe and the United States to produce, for both regions, composite population indices for two groups of species: those for which climate suitability has been either improving or declining since 1980.","summary":"Global climate change is a major threat to biodiversity. Large-scale analyses have generally focused on the impacts of climate change on the geographic ranges of species and on phenology, the timing of ecological phenomena. We used long-term monitoring of the abundance of breeding birds across Europe and the United States to produce, for both regions, composite population indices for two groups of species: those for which climate suitability has been either improving or declining since 1980."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-broad-footprint-of-climate-change-from-genes-to-biomes-to-people","title":"The broad footprint of climate change from genes to biomes to people","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-broad-footprint-of-climate-change-from-genes-to-biomes-to-people","date_published":"2024-12-19T13:47:17Z","content_text":"Climate change impacts have now been documented across every ecosystem on Earth, despite an average warming of only ~1°C so far. Here, we describe the full range and scale of climate change effects on global biodiversity that have been observed in natural systems. To do this, we identify a set of core ecological processes (32 in terrestrial and 31 each in marine and freshwater ecosystems) that underpin ecosystem functioning and support services to people. ","summary":"Climate change impacts have now been documented across every ecosystem on Earth, despite an average warming of only ~1°C so far. Here, we describe the full range and scale of climate change effects on global biodiversity that have been observed in natural systems. To do this, we identify a set of core ecological processes (32 in terrestrial and 31 each in marine and freshwater ecosystems) that underpin ecosystem functioning and support services to people. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/ecological-and-socio-economic-factors-affecting-extinction-risk-in-parrots","title":"Ecological and socio-economic factors affecting extinction risk in parrots","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/ecological-and-socio-economic-factors-affecting-extinction-risk-in-parrots","date_published":"2024-12-18T12:34:24Z","content_text":"Parrots (Psittaciformes) are among the most threatened bird orders with 28 % (111 of 398) of extant species classified as threatened under IUCN criteria. We confirmed that parrots have a lower Red List Index (higher aggregate extinction risk) than other comparable bird groups, and modeled the factors associated with extinction risk.","summary":"Parrots (Psittaciformes) are among the most threatened bird orders with 28 % (111 of 398) of extant species classified as threatened under IUCN criteria. We confirmed that parrots have a lower Red List Index (higher aggregate extinction risk) than other comparable bird groups, and modeled the factors associated with extinction risk."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/determinants-of-bird-conservation-action-implementation-and-associated-population-trends-of-threatened-species","title":"Determinants of bird conservation-action implementation and associated population trends of threatened species","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/determinants-of-bird-conservation-action-implementation-and-associated-population-trends-of-threatened-species","date_published":"2024-12-18T11:54:09Z","content_text":"Conservation actions, such as habitat protection, attempt to halt the loss of threatened species and help their populations recover. The efficiency and the effectiveness of actions have been examined individually. However, conservation actions generally occur simultaneously, so the full suite of implemented conservation actions should be assessed. We used the conservation actions underway for all threatened and near-threatened birds of the world (International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species) to assess which biological (related to taxonomy and ecology) and anthropogenic (related to geoeconomics) factors were associated with the implementation of different classes of conservation actions.","summary":"Conservation actions, such as habitat protection, attempt to halt the loss of threatened species and help their populations recover. The efficiency and the effectiveness of actions have been examined individually. However, conservation actions generally occur simultaneously, so the full suite of implemented conservation actions should be assessed. We used the conservation actions underway for all threatened and near-threatened birds of the world (International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species) to assess which biological (related to taxonomy and ecology) and anthropogenic (related to geoeconomics) factors were associated with the implementation of different classes of conservation actions."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/large-scale-climatic-drivers-of-regional-winter-bird-population-trends","title":"Large-scale climatic drivers of regional winter bird population trends","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/large-scale-climatic-drivers-of-regional-winter-bird-population-trends","date_published":"2024-12-18T11:28:07Z","content_text":"Changes in climate and land use practices have been found to affect animal populations in different parts of the world. These studies have typically been conducted during the breeding season, whereas the non-breeding season (hereafter ‘winter’) has received much less attention. Changes in regional winter abundances could be caused by changes in overall population sizes and/or redistribution of populations. We tested these mechanisms for terrestrial winter bird population changes in Northern Europe and explored the role of climate change and species habitat preference.","summary":"Changes in climate and land use practices have been found to affect animal populations in different parts of the world. These studies have typically been conducted during the breeding season, whereas the non-breeding season (hereafter ‘winter’) has received much less attention. Changes in regional winter abundances could be caused by changes in overall population sizes and/or redistribution of populations. We tested these mechanisms for terrestrial winter bird population changes in Northern Europe and explored the role of climate change and species habitat preference."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-analysis-of-traits-predicting-species-sensitivity-to-habitat-disturbance","title":"A global analysis of traits predicting species sensitivity to habitat disturbance","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-analysis-of-traits-predicting-species-sensitivity-to-habitat-disturbance","date_published":"2024-12-18T11:25:54Z","content_text":"Elucidating patterns in species responses to habitat fragmentation is an important focus of ecology and conservation, but studies are often geographically restricted, taxonomically narrow or use indirect measures of species vulnerability. We investigated predictors of species presence after fragmentation using data from studies around the world that included all four terrestrial vertebrate classes, thus allowing direct inter-taxonomic comparison.","summary":"Elucidating patterns in species responses to habitat fragmentation is an important focus of ecology and conservation, but studies are often geographically restricted, taxonomically narrow or use indirect measures of species vulnerability. We investigated predictors of species presence after fragmentation using data from studies around the world that included all four terrestrial vertebrate classes, thus allowing direct inter-taxonomic comparison."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-the-cost-of-global-biodiversity-and-conservation-knowledge","title":"Assessing the cost of global biodiversity and conservation knowledge","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/assessing-the-cost-of-global-biodiversity-and-conservation-knowledge","date_published":"2024-12-18T11:24:09Z","content_text":"Knowledge products comprise assessments of authoritative information supported by standards, governance, quality control, data, tools, and capacity building mechanisms. Considerable resources are dedicated to developing and maintaining knowledge products for biodiversity conservation, and they are widely used to inform policy and advise decision makers and practitioners. However, the financial cost of delivering this information is largely undocumented.","summary":"Knowledge products comprise assessments of authoritative information supported by standards, governance, quality control, data, tools, and capacity building mechanisms. Considerable resources are dedicated to developing and maintaining knowledge products for biodiversity conservation, and they are widely used to inform policy and advise decision makers and practitioners. However, the financial cost of delivering this information is largely undocumented."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/impact-of-alternative-metrics-on-estimates-of-extent-of-occurrence-for-extinction-risk-assessment","title":"Impact of alternative metrics on estimates of extent of occurrence for extinction risk assessment","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/impact-of-alternative-metrics-on-estimates-of-extent-of-occurrence-for-extinction-risk-assessment","date_published":"2024-12-18T11:21:56Z","content_text":"In International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments, extent of occurrence (EOO) is a key measure of extinction risk. However, the way assessors estimate EOO from maps of species’ distributions is inconsistent among assessments of different species and among major taxonomic groups. Assessors often estimate EOO from the area of mapped distribution, but these maps often exclude areas that are not habitat in idiosyncratic ways and are not created at the same spatial resolutions.","summary":"In International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments, extent of occurrence (EOO) is a key measure of extinction risk. However, the way assessors estimate EOO from maps of species’ distributions is inconsistent among assessments of different species and among major taxonomic groups. Assessors often estimate EOO from the area of mapped distribution, but these maps often exclude areas that are not habitat in idiosyncratic ways and are not created at the same spatial resolutions."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/filling-in-biodiversity-threat-gaps","title":"Filling in biodiversity threat gaps","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/filling-in-biodiversity-threat-gaps","date_published":"2024-12-18T11:20:25Z","content_text":"The diversity of life on Earth—which provides vital services to humanity —stems from the difference between rates of evolutionary diversification and extinction. Human activities have shifted the balance: Species extinction rates are an estimated 1000 times the “background” rate and could increase to 10,000 times the background rate should species threatened with extinction succumb to pressures they face.","summary":"The diversity of life on Earth—which provides vital services to humanity —stems from the difference between rates of evolutionary diversification and extinction. Human activities have shifted the balance: Species extinction rates are an estimated 1000 times the “background” rate and could increase to 10,000 times the background rate should species threatened with extinction succumb to pressures they face."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/invasive-mammal-eradication-on-islands-results-in-substantial-conservation-gains","title":"Invasive mammal eradication on islands results in substantial conservation gains","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/invasive-mammal-eradication-on-islands-results-in-substantial-conservation-gains","date_published":"2024-12-13T16:10:41Z","content_text":"Global conservation actions to prevent or slow extinctions and protect biodiversity are costly. However, few conservation actions have been evaluated for their efficacy globally, hampering the prioritization of conservation actions. Islands are key areas for biodiversity conservation because they are home to more than 15% of terrestrial species and more than one-third of critically endangered species; nearly two-thirds of recent extinctions were of island species. This research quantifies the benefits to native island fauna of removing invasive mammals from islands.","summary":"Global conservation actions to prevent or slow extinctions and protect biodiversity are costly. However, few conservation actions have been evaluated for their efficacy globally, hampering the prioritization of conservation actions. Islands are key areas for biodiversity conservation because they are home to more than 15% of terrestrial species and more than one-third of critically endangered species; nearly two-thirds of recent extinctions were of island species. This research quantifies the benefits to native island fauna of removing invasive mammals from islands."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/migratory-diversity-predicts-population-declines-in-birds","title":"Migratory diversity predicts population declines in birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/migratory-diversity-predicts-population-declines-in-birds","date_published":"2024-12-13T16:07:00Z","content_text":"Declines in migratory species are a pressing concern worldwide, but the mechanisms underpinning these declines are not fully understood. We hypothesised that species with greater within-population variability in migratory movements and destinations, here termed ‘migratory diversity’, might be more resilient to environmental change.","summary":"Declines in migratory species are a pressing concern worldwide, but the mechanisms underpinning these declines are not fully understood. We hypothesised that species with greater within-population variability in migratory movements and destinations, here termed ‘migratory diversity’, might be more resilient to environmental change."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/clarifying-misconceptions-of-extinction-risk-assessment-with-the-iucn-red-list","title":"Clarifying misconceptions of extinction risk assessment with the IUCN Red List","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/clarifying-misconceptions-of-extinction-risk-assessment-with-the-iucn-red-list","date_published":"2024-12-13T15:43:09Z","content_text":"The identification of species at risk of extinction is a central goal of conservation. As the use of data compiled for IUCN Red List assessments expands, a number of misconceptions regarding the purpose, application and use of the IUCN Red List categories and criteria have arisen. We outline five such classes of misconception; the most consequential drive proposals for adapted versions of the criteria, rendering assessments among species incomparable.","summary":"The identification of species at risk of extinction is a central goal of conservation. As the use of data compiled for IUCN Red List assessments expands, a number of misconceptions regarding the purpose, application and use of the IUCN Red List categories and criteria have arisen. We outline five such classes of misconception; the most consequential drive proposals for adapted versions of the criteria, rendering assessments among species incomparable."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/analysing-biodiversity-and-conservation-knowledge-products-to-support-regional-environmental-assessments","title":"Analysing biodiversity and conservation knowledge products to support regional environmental assessments","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/analysing-biodiversity-and-conservation-knowledge-products-to-support-regional-environmental-assessments","date_published":"2024-12-13T15:41:27Z","content_text":"Two processes for regional environmental assessment are currently underway: the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) and Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Both face constraints of data, time, capacity, and resources. To support these assessments, we disaggregate three global knowledge products according to their regions and subregions. These products are: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Key Biodiversity Areas (specifically Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas [IBAs], and Alliance for Zero Extinction [AZE] sites), and Protected Planet.","summary":"Two processes for regional environmental assessment are currently underway: the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) and Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Both face constraints of data, time, capacity, and resources. To support these assessments, we disaggregate three global knowledge products according to their regions and subregions. These products are: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Key Biodiversity Areas (specifically Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas [IBAs], and Alliance for Zero Extinction [AZE] sites), and Protected Planet."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/preliminary-assessment-of-the-scope-and-scale-of-illegal-killing-and-taking-of-birds-in-the-mediterranean","title":"Preliminary assessment of the scope and scale of illegal killing and taking of birds in the Mediterranean","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/preliminary-assessment-of-the-scope-and-scale-of-illegal-killing-and-taking-of-birds-in-the-mediterranean","date_published":"2024-12-13T15:35:03Z","content_text":"Illegal killing/taking of birds is a growing concern across the Mediterranean. However, there are few quantitative data on the species and countries involved. We assessed numbers of individual birds of each species killed/taken illegally in each Mediterranean country per year, using a diverse range of data sources and incorporating expert knowledge.","summary":"Illegal killing/taking of birds is a growing concern across the Mediterranean. However, there are few quantitative data on the species and countries involved. We assessed numbers of individual birds of each species killed/taken illegally in each Mediterranean country per year, using a diverse range of data sources and incorporating expert knowledge."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/population-constraints-on-the-grenada-dove-leptotila-wellsi-preliminary-findings-and-proposals-from-south-west-grenada","title":"Population constraints on the Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi: preliminary findings and proposals from south-west Grenada","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/population-constraints-on-the-grenada-dove-leptotila-wellsi-preliminary-findings-and-proposals-from-south-west-grenada","date_published":"2024-12-13T15:29:32Z","content_text":"The Critically Endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi has a very small total population size (< 190 individuals) and faces multiple threats. Over eight weeks in 2012 at the Mount Hartman Estate, we investigated the dove’s habitat selection, established a mongoose index of occupancy and recorded dove use of water sources to help determine key research and conservation needs.","summary":"The Critically Endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi has a very small total population size (< 190 individuals) and faces multiple threats. Over eight weeks in 2012 at the Mount Hartman Estate, we investigated the dove’s habitat selection, established a mongoose index of occupancy and recorded dove use of water sources to help determine key research and conservation needs."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/further-notes-on-the-natural-history-of-the-ethiopian-bush-crow-zavattariornis-stresemanni","title":"Further notes on the natural history of the Ethiopian Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/further-notes-on-the-natural-history-of-the-ethiopian-bush-crow-zavattariornis-stresemanni","date_published":"2024-12-13T15:26:19Z","content_text":"The Ethiopian Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni is a charismatic and Endangered endemic bird of southern Ethiopia, whose general biology remains under-studied. We present field notes and observations from 2008 to 2014, covering many aspects of the species’ behaviour and morphology.","summary":"The Ethiopian Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni is a charismatic and Endangered endemic bird of southern Ethiopia, whose general biology remains under-studied. We present field notes and observations from 2008 to 2014, covering many aspects of the species’ behaviour and morphology."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/choice-of-baseline-climate-data-impacts-projected-species-responses-to-climate-change","title":"Choice of baseline climate data impacts projected species responses to climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/choice-of-baseline-climate-data-impacts-projected-species-responses-to-climate-change","date_published":"2024-12-13T15:21:03Z","content_text":"Climate data created from historic climate observations are integral to most assessments of potential climate change impacts, and frequently comprise the baseline period used to infer species-climate relationships. They are often also central to downscaling coarse resolution climate simulations from General Circulation Models (GCMs) to project future climate scenarios at ecologically relevant spatial scales.","summary":"Climate data created from historic climate observations are integral to most assessments of potential climate change impacts, and frequently comprise the baseline period used to infer species-climate relationships. They are often also central to downscaling coarse resolution climate simulations from General Circulation Models (GCMs) to project future climate scenarios at ecologically relevant spatial scales."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/very-rapid-long-distance-sea-crossing-by-a-migratory-bird","title":"Very rapid long-distance sea crossing by a migratory bird","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/very-rapid-long-distance-sea-crossing-by-a-migratory-bird","date_published":"2024-12-13T15:18:15Z","content_text":"Landbirds undertaking within-continent migrations have the possibility to stop en route, but most long-distance migrants must also undertake large non-stop sea crossings, the length of which can vary greatly. For shorebirds migrating from Iceland to West Africa, the shortest route would involve one of the longest continuous sea crossings while alternative, mostly overland, routes are available.","summary":"Landbirds undertaking within-continent migrations have the possibility to stop en route, but most long-distance migrants must also undertake large non-stop sea crossings, the length of which can vary greatly. For shorebirds migrating from Iceland to West Africa, the shortest route would involve one of the longest continuous sea crossings while alternative, mostly overland, routes are available."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/inferring-extinctions-ii-a-practical-iterative-model-based-on-records-and-surveys","title":"Inferring extinctions II: A practical, iterative model based on records and surveys","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/inferring-extinctions-ii-a-practical-iterative-model-based-on-records-and-surveys","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:58:30Z","content_text":"Extinctions are difficult to observe. Estimating the probability that a taxon has gone extinct using data from the field aids prioritisation of conservation interventions and environmental monitoring. There have been recent advances in approaches to estimating this probability from records. However, complete assessment requires consideration of the type, timing and certainty of records, the timing, scope and severity of threats, and the timing, extent and reliability of surveys.","summary":"Extinctions are difficult to observe. Estimating the probability that a taxon has gone extinct using data from the field aids prioritisation of conservation interventions and environmental monitoring. There have been recent advances in approaches to estimating this probability from records. However, complete assessment requires consideration of the type, timing and certainty of records, the timing, scope and severity of threats, and the timing, extent and reliability of surveys."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/bird-and-bat-species-global-vulnerability-to-collision-mortality-at-wind-farms-revealed-through-a-trait-based-assessment","title":" Bird and bat species’ global vulnerability to collision mortality at wind farms revealed through a trait-based assessment","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/bird-and-bat-species-global-vulnerability-to-collision-mortality-at-wind-farms-revealed-through-a-trait-based-assessment","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:56:37Z","content_text":"Mitigation of anthropogenic climate change involves deployments of renewable energy worldwide, including wind farms, which can pose a significant collision risk to volant animals. Most studies into the collision risk between species and wind turbines, however, have taken place in industrialized countries. Potential effects for many locations and species therefore remain unclear.","summary":"Mitigation of anthropogenic climate change involves deployments of renewable energy worldwide, including wind farms, which can pose a significant collision risk to volant animals. Most studies into the collision risk between species and wind turbines, however, have taken place in industrialized countries. Potential effects for many locations and species therefore remain unclear."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/where-are-commodity-crops-certified-and-what-does-it-mean-for-conservation-and-poverty-alleviation","title":"Where are commodity crops certified, and what does it mean for conservation and poverty alleviation?","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/where-are-commodity-crops-certified-and-what-does-it-mean-for-conservation-and-poverty-alleviation","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:54:22Z","content_text":"Voluntary sustainability standards have expanded dramatically over the last decade. In the agricultural sector, such standards aim to ensure environmentally and socially sustainable production of a variety of commodity crops. However, little is known about where agricultural certification operates and whether certified lands are best located for conserving the world's most important biodiversity and benefiting the most vulnerable producers.","summary":"Voluntary sustainability standards have expanded dramatically over the last decade. In the agricultural sector, such standards aim to ensure environmentally and socially sustainable production of a variety of commodity crops. However, little is known about where agricultural certification operates and whether certified lands are best located for conserving the world's most important biodiversity and benefiting the most vulnerable producers."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/managing-invasive-mammals-to-conserve-globally-threatened-seabirds-in-a-changing-climate","title":"Managing invasive mammals to conserve globally threatened seabirds in a changing climate","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/managing-invasive-mammals-to-conserve-globally-threatened-seabirds-in-a-changing-climate","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:51:15Z","content_text":"Invasive mammals are an ongoing threat at many seabird breeding locations, while impacts from climate change can occur over broad time scales. Combining management strategies for invasive mammal and climate change impacts is important for mitigating current threats and maximizing seabird survival into the future.","summary":"Invasive mammals are an ongoing threat at many seabird breeding locations, while impacts from climate change can occur over broad time scales. Combining management strategies for invasive mammal and climate change impacts is important for mitigating current threats and maximizing seabird survival into the future."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/globally-threatened-vertebrates-on-islands-with-invasive-species","title":"Globally threatened vertebrates on islands with invasive species","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/globally-threatened-vertebrates-on-islands-with-invasive-species","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:48:31Z","content_text":"Global biodiversity loss is disproportionately rapid on islands, where invasive species are a major driver of extinctions. To inform conservation planning aimed at preventing extinctions, we identify the distribution and biogeographic patterns of highly threatened terrestrial vertebrates (classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature) and invasive vertebrates on ~465,000 islands worldwide by conducting a comprehensive literature review and interviews with more than 500 experts.","summary":"Global biodiversity loss is disproportionately rapid on islands, where invasive species are a major driver of extinctions. To inform conservation planning aimed at preventing extinctions, we identify the distribution and biogeographic patterns of highly threatened terrestrial vertebrates (classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature) and invasive vertebrates on ~465,000 islands worldwide by conducting a comprehensive literature review and interviews with more than 500 experts."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/creation-of-forest-edges-has-a-global-impact-on-forest-vertebrates","title":"Creation of forest edges has a global impact on forest vertebrates","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/creation-of-forest-edges-has-a-global-impact-on-forest-vertebrates","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:12:58Z","content_text":"Forest edges influence more than half of the world’s forests and contribute to worldwide declines in biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, predicting these declines is challenging in heterogeneous fragmented landscapes. Here we assembled a global dataset on species responses to fragmentation and developed a statistical approach for quantifying edge impacts in heterogeneous landscapes to quantify edge-determined changes in abundance of 1,673 vertebrate species. ","summary":"Forest edges influence more than half of the world’s forests and contribute to worldwide declines in biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, predicting these declines is challenging in heterogeneous fragmented landscapes. Here we assembled a global dataset on species responses to fragmentation and developed a statistical approach for quantifying edge impacts in heterogeneous landscapes to quantify edge-determined changes in abundance of 1,673 vertebrate species. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/species-traits-influenced-their-response-to-recent-climate-change","title":"Species’ traits influenced their response to recent climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/species-traits-influenced-their-response-to-recent-climate-change","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:11:08Z","content_text":"Although it is widely accepted that future climatic change—if unabated—is likely to have major impacts on biodiversity few studies have attempted to quantify the number of species whose populations have already been impacted by climate change. Using a systematic review of published literature, we identified mammals and birds for which there is evidence that they have already been impacted by climate change. We modelled the relationships between observed responses and intrinsic (for example, body mass) and spatial traits (for example, temperature seasonality within the geographic range). ","summary":"Although it is widely accepted that future climatic change—if unabated—is likely to have major impacts on biodiversity few studies have attempted to quantify the number of species whose populations have already been impacted by climate change. Using a systematic review of published literature, we identified mammals and birds for which there is evidence that they have already been impacted by climate change. We modelled the relationships between observed responses and intrinsic (for example, body mass) and spatial traits (for example, temperature seasonality within the geographic range). "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/parrots-of-oceania-a-comparative-study-of-extinction-risk","title":" Parrots of Oceania – a comparative study of extinction risk","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/parrots-of-oceania-a-comparative-study-of-extinction-risk","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:08:30Z","content_text":"Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Wallacea, and the islands of the Pacific Ocean collectively possess 42% of the world’s parrot species, including half of all Critically Endangered species. We used comparative methods to review the factors related to extinction risk of 167 extant and 5 extinct parrot species from this region, subsequently referred to as ‘Oceania’.","summary":"Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Wallacea, and the islands of the Pacific Ocean collectively possess 42% of the world’s parrot species, including half of all Critically Endangered species. We used comparative methods to review the factors related to extinction risk of 167 extant and 5 extinct parrot species from this region, subsequently referred to as ‘Oceania’."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/population-density-range-size-relationship-revisited","title":"Population density-range size relationship revisited","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/population-density-range-size-relationship-revisited","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:05:36Z","content_text":"The species population density–range size relationship posits that locally abundant species are widely distributed. However, this proposed pattern has been insufficiently tested. The few tests conducted were usually limited in scale and gave conflicting results. We tested the generality of the positive population density–range size relationship. ","summary":"The species population density–range size relationship posits that locally abundant species are widely distributed. However, this proposed pattern has been insufficiently tested. The few tests conducted were usually limited in scale and gave conflicting results. We tested the generality of the positive population density–range size relationship. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/inferring-extinctions-i-a-structured-method-using-information-on-threats","title":"Inferring extinctions I: A structured method using information on threats","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/inferring-extinctions-i-a-structured-method-using-information-on-threats","date_published":"2024-12-10T11:01:37Z","content_text":"Extinctions are important indicators of biodiversity status. When they are detected, they may trigger the redirection of conservation resources to save other species. Yet declaring extinctions is inherently uncertain. Relevant evidence for consideration includes information on threats, the time series of species records and the effort employed to search for remaining individuals.","summary":"Extinctions are important indicators of biodiversity status. When they are detected, they may trigger the redirection of conservation resources to save other species. Yet declaring extinctions is inherently uncertain. Relevant evidence for consideration includes information on threats, the time series of species records and the effort employed to search for remaining individuals."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/editorial-commentary-birdlife-conservation-and-taxonomy","title":"Editorial commentary: BirdLife, conservation and taxonomy","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/editorial-commentary-birdlife-conservation-and-taxonomy","date_published":"2024-12-10T10:11:10Z","content_text":"The appearance of the second and concluding volume of the HBW-BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World (del Hoyo & Collar 2016) provides an occasion to reflect, briefly, on the relationship between bird conservation and taxonomy.","summary":"The appearance of the second and concluding volume of the HBW-BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World (del Hoyo & Collar 2016) provides an occasion to reflect, briefly, on the relationship between bird conservation and taxonomy."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/illegal-killing-and-taking-of-birds-in-europe-outside-the-mediterranean-assessing-the-scope-and-scale-of-a-complex-issue","title":"Illegal killing and taking of birds in Europe outside the Mediterranean: assessing the scope and scale of a complex issue","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/illegal-killing-and-taking-of-birds-in-europe-outside-the-mediterranean-assessing-the-scope-and-scale-of-a-complex-issue","date_published":"2024-12-10T10:08:07Z","content_text":"The illegal killing and taking of wild birds remains a major threat on a global scale. However, there are few quantitative data on the species affected and countries involved. We quantified the scale and scope of this issue in Northern and Central Europe and the Caucasus, using a diverse range of data sources and incorporating expert knowledge.","summary":"The illegal killing and taking of wild birds remains a major threat on a global scale. However, there are few quantitative data on the species affected and countries involved. We quantified the scale and scope of this issue in Northern and Central Europe and the Caucasus, using a diverse range of data sources and incorporating expert knowledge."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-forest-loss-disproportionately-erodes-biodiversity-in-intact-landscapes","title":"Global forest loss disproportionately erodes biodiversity in intact landscapes","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-forest-loss-disproportionately-erodes-biodiversity-in-intact-landscapes","date_published":"2024-12-10T10:04:27Z","content_text":"Global biodiversity loss is a critical environmental crisis, yet the lack of spatial data on biodiversity threats has hindered conservation strategies. Theory predicts that abrupt biodiversity declines are most likely to occur when habitat availability is reduced to very low levels in the landscape (10–30%). Alternatively, recent evidence indicates that biodiversity is best conserved by minimizing human intrusion into intact and relatively unfragmented landscapes. ","summary":"Global biodiversity loss is a critical environmental crisis, yet the lack of spatial data on biodiversity threats has hindered conservation strategies. Theory predicts that abrupt biodiversity declines are most likely to occur when habitat availability is reduced to very low levels in the landscape (10–30%). Alternatively, recent evidence indicates that biodiversity is best conserved by minimizing human intrusion into intact and relatively unfragmented landscapes. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/genetic-diversity-and-divergence-in-the-endangered-cape-verde-warbler-acrocephalus-brevipennis","title":"Genetic diversity and divergence in the endangered Cape Verde warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/genetic-diversity-and-divergence-in-the-endangered-cape-verde-warbler-acrocephalus-brevipennis","date_published":"2024-12-10T10:01:21Z","content_text":"Genetic factors play an important role in the long-term persistence of populations and species, and conservation strategies should take such factors into account. We use neutral molecular markers to assess diversity and divergence between the three remaining island populations of a little-studied endemic passerine, the Cape Verde warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis.","summary":"Genetic factors play an important role in the long-term persistence of populations and species, and conservation strategies should take such factors into account. We use neutral molecular markers to assess diversity and divergence between the three remaining island populations of a little-studied endemic passerine, the Cape Verde warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/convention-on-international-trade-in-endangered-species-of-wild-fauna-and-flora-cites","title":"Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/convention-on-international-trade-in-endangered-species-of-wild-fauna-and-flora-cites","date_published":"2024-12-04T16:15:31.579Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/ramsar-convention-on-wetlands","title":"Ramsar Convention on Wetlands","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/ramsar-convention-on-wetlands","date_published":"2024-12-04T16:15:31.578Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/convention-on-migratory-species-cms","title":"Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/convention-on-migratory-species-cms","date_published":"2024-12-04T16:15:31.573Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/convention-on-biological-diversity-cbd","title":"Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/policy/convention-on-biological-diversity-cbd","date_published":"2024-12-04T16:15:31.571Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-horizon-scan-of-global-biological-conservation-issues-for-2024","title":"A horizon scan of global biological conservation issues for 2024","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-horizon-scan-of-global-biological-conservation-issues-for-2024","date_published":"2024-12-02T21:45:42Z","content_text":"Our 15th annual horizon scan identified 15 emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation. A panel of 31 scientists and practitioners submitted a total of 96 topics that were ranked using a Delphi-style technique according to novelty and likelihood of impact on biodiversity conservation.","summary":"Our 15th annual horizon scan identified 15 emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation. A panel of 31 scientists and practitioners submitted a total of 96 topics that were ranked using a Delphi-style technique according to novelty and likelihood of impact on biodiversity conservation."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/forecasting-potential-routes-for-movement-of-endemic-birds-among-important-sites-for-biodiversity-in-the-albertine-rift-under-projected-climate-change","title":"Forecasting potential routes for movement of endemic birds among important sites for biodiversity in the Albertine Rift under projected climate change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/forecasting-potential-routes-for-movement-of-endemic-birds-among-important-sites-for-biodiversity-in-the-albertine-rift-under-projected-climate-change","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:47:42Z","content_text":"The ability of species to shift their distributions in response to climate change may be impeded by lack of suitable climate or habitat between species’ current and future ranges. We examined the potential for climate and forest cover to limit the movement of bird species among sites of biodiversity importance in the Albertine Rift, East Africa, a biodiversity hotspot. We forecasted future distributions of suitable climate for 12 Albertine Rift endemic bird species using species distribution models based on current climate data and projections of future climate.","summary":"The ability of species to shift their distributions in response to climate change may be impeded by lack of suitable climate or habitat between species’ current and future ranges. We examined the potential for climate and forest cover to limit the movement of bird species among sites of biodiversity importance in the Albertine Rift, East Africa, a biodiversity hotspot. We forecasted future distributions of suitable climate for 12 Albertine Rift endemic bird species using species distribution models based on current climate data and projections of future climate."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/inferring-extinctions-iii-a-cost-benefit-framework-for-listing-extinct-species","title":"Inferring Extinctions III: A cost-benefit framework for listing extinct species","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/inferring-extinctions-iii-a-cost-benefit-framework-for-listing-extinct-species","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:44:33Z","content_text":"Extinction of a species is difficult to detect, yet there are important conservation consequences of classifying an extant species as extinct or an extinct species as extant, and potentially significant costs of making the wrong classification. To deal with the uncertainties of detecting extinctions, some Critically Endangered species are tagged as ‘possibly extinct’ in the IUCN Red List.","summary":"Extinction of a species is difficult to detect, yet there are important conservation consequences of classifying an extant species as extinct or an extinct species as extant, and potentially significant costs of making the wrong classification. To deal with the uncertainties of detecting extinctions, some Critically Endangered species are tagged as ‘possibly extinct’ in the IUCN Red List."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-birds-and-ornithology-consequences-for-international-bird-conservation","title":"The impact of Covid-19 on birds and ornithology: consequences for international bird conservation ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-birds-and-ornithology-consequences-for-international-bird-conservation","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:41:17Z","content_text":"Almost two years on from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, its impacts on bird conservation are starting to become clearer.","summary":"Almost two years on from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, its impacts on bird conservation are starting to become clearer."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/setting-priorities-for-climate-change-adaptation-of-critical-sites-in-the-africaeurasian-waterbird-flyways","title":"Setting priorities for climate change adaptation of Critical Sites in the Africa‐Eurasian waterbird flyways. ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/setting-priorities-for-climate-change-adaptation-of-critical-sites-in-the-africaeurasian-waterbird-flyways","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:38:20Z","content_text":"The conservation of many migratory waterbirds depends on the conservation of a network of key sites along their flyways. However, the suitability of these sites is changing under climate change, and it is important that management of individual sites in the network adapts to these changes. Using bioclimatic models that also account for changes in inundation, we found that projected climate change will reduce habitat suitability for waterbirds at 57.5% of existing Critical Sites within Africa-Eurasia.","summary":"The conservation of many migratory waterbirds depends on the conservation of a network of key sites along their flyways. However, the suitability of these sites is changing under climate change, and it is important that management of individual sites in the network adapts to these changes. Using bioclimatic models that also account for changes in inundation, we found that projected climate change will reduce habitat suitability for waterbirds at 57.5% of existing Critical Sites within Africa-Eurasia."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-minimum-land-area-requiring-conservation-attention-to-safeguard-biodiversity","title":"The minimum land area requiring conservation attention to safeguard biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-minimum-land-area-requiring-conservation-attention-to-safeguard-biodiversity","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:34:03Z","content_text":"Ambitious conservation efforts are needed to stop the global biodiversity crisis. In this study, we estimate the minimum land area to secure important biodiversity areas, ecologically intact areas, and optimal locations for representation of species ranges and ecoregions. We discover that at least 64 million square kilometers (44% of terrestrial area) would require conservation attention (ranging from protected areas to land-use policies) to meet this goal. ","summary":"Ambitious conservation efforts are needed to stop the global biodiversity crisis. In this study, we estimate the minimum land area to secure important biodiversity areas, ecologically intact areas, and optimal locations for representation of species ranges and ecoregions. We discover that at least 64 million square kilometers (44% of terrestrial area) would require conservation attention (ranging from protected areas to land-use policies) to meet this goal. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/introducing-a-common-taxonomy-to-support-learning-from-failure-in-conservation","title":"Introducing a common taxonomy to support learning from failure in conservation. ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/introducing-a-common-taxonomy-to-support-learning-from-failure-in-conservation","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:31:03Z","content_text":"Although some sectors have made significant progress in learning from failure, there is currently limited consensus on how a similar transition could best be achieved in conservation and what is required to facilitate this. One of the key enabling conditions for other sectors is a widely accepted and standardized classification system for identifying and analyzing root causes of failure. We devised a comprehensive taxonomy of root causes of failure affecting conservation projects.","summary":"Although some sectors have made significant progress in learning from failure, there is currently limited consensus on how a similar transition could best be achieved in conservation and what is required to facilitate this. One of the key enabling conditions for other sectors is a widely accepted and standardized classification system for identifying and analyzing root causes of failure. We devised a comprehensive taxonomy of root causes of failure affecting conservation projects."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-assessment-of-the-prevalence-of-current-and-potential-future-infrastructure-in-key-biodiversity-areas","title":"A global assessment of the prevalence of current and potential future infrastructure in Key Biodiversity Areas.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-assessment-of-the-prevalence-of-current-and-potential-future-infrastructure-in-key-biodiversity-areas","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:19:48Z","content_text":"Infrastructure development is a major threat to biodiversity, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation, increased accessibility and pollution. Key Biodiversity Areas represent the most comprehensive network of important areas for biodiversity and the prevalence of infrastructure in KBAs has not previously been described. Here we examined the prevalence of current and potential future infrastructure within the global network of 15,150 terrestrial KBAs, using a range of open and commercial spatial datasets related to infrastructure.","summary":"Infrastructure development is a major threat to biodiversity, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation, increased accessibility and pollution. Key Biodiversity Areas represent the most comprehensive network of important areas for biodiversity and the prevalence of infrastructure in KBAs has not previously been described. Here we examined the prevalence of current and potential future infrastructure within the global network of 15,150 terrestrial KBAs, using a range of open and commercial spatial datasets related to infrastructure."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/mapping-the-global-potential-exposure-of-soaring-birds-to-terrestrial-wind-energy-expansion","title":"Mapping the global potential exposure of soaring birds to terrestrial wind energy expansion","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/mapping-the-global-potential-exposure-of-soaring-birds-to-terrestrial-wind-energy-expansion","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:17:20Z","content_text":"The wind energy sector is steadily growing, and the number of wind turbines is expected to expand across large areas of the globe in the near future. While the development of wind energy can contribute to mitigating climate change, it also poses challenges to wildlife, particularly birds, due to increased collision risk with wind turbines.","summary":"The wind energy sector is steadily growing, and the number of wind turbines is expected to expand across large areas of the globe in the near future. While the development of wind energy can contribute to mitigating climate change, it also poses challenges to wildlife, particularly birds, due to increased collision risk with wind turbines."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/state-of-the-worlds-raptors-distributions-threats-and-conservation-recommendations","title":"State of the world’s raptors: distributions, threats, and conservation recommendations","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/state-of-the-worlds-raptors-distributions-threats-and-conservation-recommendations","date_published":"2024-12-02T11:13:26Z","content_text":"Raptors provide critical ecosystem services, yet there is currently no systematic, global synthesis of their conservation status or threats. We review the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List to examine the conservation status, distributions, threats, and conservation recommendations for all 557 raptor species.","summary":"Raptors provide critical ecosystem services, yet there is currently no systematic, global synthesis of their conservation status or threats. We review the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List to examine the conservation status, distributions, threats, and conservation recommendations for all 557 raptor species."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/flight-range-fuel-load-and-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-the-journeys-of-migrant-birds","title":"Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/flight-range-fuel-load-and-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-the-journeys-of-migrant-birds","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:54:28Z","content_text":"Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer migratory journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential and migratory refuelling requirements to simulate the number of stopovers required and the duration of current migratory journeys for 77 bird species breeding in Europe.","summary":"Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer migratory journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential and migratory refuelling requirements to simulate the number of stopovers required and the duration of current migratory journeys for 77 bird species breeding in Europe."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/present-and-future-biodiversity-risks-from-fossil-fuel-exploitation","title":"Present and future biodiversity risks from fossil fuel exploitation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/present-and-future-biodiversity-risks-from-fossil-fuel-exploitation","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:51:42Z","content_text":"Currently, human society is predominantly powered by fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—yet also ultimately depends on goods and services provided by biodiversity. Fossil fuel extraction impacts biodiversity indirectly through climate change and by increasing accessibility, and directly through habitat loss and pollution. In contrast to the indirect effects, quantification of the direct impacts has been relatively neglected.","summary":"Currently, human society is predominantly powered by fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—yet also ultimately depends on goods and services provided by biodiversity. Fossil fuel extraction impacts biodiversity indirectly through climate change and by increasing accessibility, and directly through habitat loss and pollution. In contrast to the indirect effects, quantification of the direct impacts has been relatively neglected."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/which-bird-species-have-gone-extinct-a-novel-quantitative-classification-approach","title":"Which bird species have gone extinct? A novel quantitative classification approach","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/which-bird-species-have-gone-extinct-a-novel-quantitative-classification-approach","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:47:46Z","content_text":"Determining whether species have gone extinct requires considering the timing and reliability of records, the timing and adequacy of surveys, and the timing, extent and intensity of threats. However, previous assessments have either applied qualitative approaches or considered only the first of these factors. We applied quantitative methods encompassing all three factors to a suite of 61 potentially or confirmed extinct species of birds.","summary":"Determining whether species have gone extinct requires considering the timing and reliability of records, the timing and adequacy of surveys, and the timing, extent and intensity of threats. However, previous assessments have either applied qualitative approaches or considered only the first of these factors. We applied quantitative methods encompassing all three factors to a suite of 61 potentially or confirmed extinct species of birds."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/fine-scale-tracking-and-diet-information-of-a-marine-predator-reveals-the-origin-and-contrasting-spatial-distribution-of-prey","title":"Fine-scale tracking and diet information of a marine predator reveals the origin and contrasting spatial distribution of prey","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/fine-scale-tracking-and-diet-information-of-a-marine-predator-reveals-the-origin-and-contrasting-spatial-distribution-of-prey","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:44:23Z","content_text":"The distribution of many marine organisms is still poorly understood, particularly in oceanic regions. Seabirds, as aerial predators which cover extensive areas across the oceans, can potentially be used to enhance our knowledge on the distribution and abundance of their prey.","summary":"The distribution of many marine organisms is still poorly understood, particularly in oceanic regions. Seabirds, as aerial predators which cover extensive areas across the oceans, can potentially be used to enhance our knowledge on the distribution and abundance of their prey."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/applying-habitat-and-populationdensity-models-to-landcover-time-series-to-inform-iucn-red-list-assessments","title":"Applying habitat and population‐density models to land‐cover time series to inform IUCN red list assessments","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/applying-habitat-and-populationdensity-models-to-landcover-time-series-to-inform-iucn-red-list-assessments","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:41:27Z","content_text":"The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List categories and criteria are the most widely used framework for assessing the relative extinction risk of species. The criteria are based on quantitative thresholds relating to the size, trends, and structure of species’ distributions and populations. However, data on these parameters are sparse and uncertain for many species and unavailable for others, potentially leading to their misclassification or classification as data deficient.","summary":"The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List categories and criteria are the most widely used framework for assessing the relative extinction risk of species. The criteria are based on quantitative thresholds relating to the size, trends, and structure of species’ distributions and populations. However, data on these parameters are sparse and uncertain for many species and unavailable for others, potentially leading to their misclassification or classification as data deficient."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/no-inflation-of-threatened-species","title":"No inflation of threatened species","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/no-inflation-of-threatened-species","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:39:14Z","content_text":"","summary":""},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-dynamics-underlying-avian-extinction-trajectories-forecast-a-wave-of-extinctions","title":"The dynamics underlying avian extinction trajectories forecast a wave of extinctions","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-dynamics-underlying-avian-extinction-trajectories-forecast-a-wave-of-extinctions","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:35:47Z","content_text":"Population decline is a process, yet estimates of current extinction rates often consider just the final step of that process by counting numbers of species lost in historical times. This neglects the increased extinction risk that affects a large proportion of species, and consequently underestimates the effective extinction rate.","summary":"Population decline is a process, yet estimates of current extinction rates often consider just the final step of that process by counting numbers of species lost in historical times. This neglects the increased extinction risk that affects a large proportion of species, and consequently underestimates the effective extinction rate."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/globally-important-islands-where-eradicating-invasive-mammals-will-benefit-highly-threatened-vertebrates","title":"Globally important islands where eradicating invasive mammals will benefit highly threatened vertebrates","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/globally-important-islands-where-eradicating-invasive-mammals-will-benefit-highly-threatened-vertebrates","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:33:05Z","content_text":"Invasive alien species are a major threat to native insular species. Eradicating invasive mammals from islands is a feasible and proven approach to prevent biodiversity loss. We developed a conceptual framework to identify globally important islands for invasive mammal eradications to prevent imminent extinctions of highly threatened species using biogeographic and technical factors, plus a novel approach to consider socio-political feasibility.","summary":"Invasive alien species are a major threat to native insular species. Eradicating invasive mammals from islands is a feasible and proven approach to prevent biodiversity loss. We developed a conceptual framework to identify globally important islands for invasive mammal eradications to prevent imminent extinctions of highly threatened species using biogeographic and technical factors, plus a novel approach to consider socio-political feasibility."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/measuring-forest-biodiversity-status-and-changes-globally","title":"Measuring forest biodiversity status and changes globally","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/measuring-forest-biodiversity-status-and-changes-globally","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:30:35Z","content_text":"The world's forests are crucially important for both biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation. New forest status and forest change spatial layers using remotely sensed data have revolutionised forest monitoring globally, and provide fine-scale deforestation alerts that can be actioned in near-real time.","summary":"The world's forests are crucially important for both biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation. New forest status and forest change spatial layers using remotely sensed data have revolutionised forest monitoring globally, and provide fine-scale deforestation alerts that can be actioned in near-real time."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/relating-characteristics-of-global-biodiversity-targets-to-reported-progress","title":"Relating characteristics of global biodiversity targets to reported progress","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/relating-characteristics-of-global-biodiversity-targets-to-reported-progress","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:26:43Z","content_text":"To inform governmental discussions on the nature of a revised Strategic Plan for Biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), we reviewed the relevant literature and assessed the framing of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets in the current strategic plan. We asked international experts from nongovernmental organizations, academia, government agencies, international organizations, research institutes, and the CBD to score the Aichi Targets and their constituent elements against a set of specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic, unambiguous, scalable, and comprehensive criteria (SMART based, excluding time bound because all targets are bound to 2015 or 2020).","summary":"To inform governmental discussions on the nature of a revised Strategic Plan for Biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), we reviewed the relevant literature and assessed the framing of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets in the current strategic plan. We asked international experts from nongovernmental organizations, academia, government agencies, international organizations, research institutes, and the CBD to score the Aichi Targets and their constituent elements against a set of specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic, unambiguous, scalable, and comprehensive criteria (SMART based, excluding time bound because all targets are bound to 2015 or 2020)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/prioritizing-the-reassessment-of-data-deficient-species-in-the-red-list","title":"Prioritizing the reassessment of Data Deficient species in the Red List.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/prioritizing-the-reassessment-of-data-deficient-species-in-the-red-list","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:20:43Z","content_text":"Despite being central to the implementation of conservation policies, the usefulness of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is hampered by the 14% of species classified as data-deficient (DD) because information to evaluate these species’ extinction risk was lacking when they were last assessed or because assessors did not appropriately account for uncertainty. We devised a reproducible method to help red-list assessors prioritize reassessment of DD species and tested it with 6887 DD species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)","summary":"Despite being central to the implementation of conservation policies, the usefulness of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is hampered by the 14% of species classified as data-deficient (DD) because information to evaluate these species’ extinction risk was lacking when they were last assessed or because assessors did not appropriately account for uncertainty. We devised a reproducible method to help red-list assessors prioritize reassessment of DD species and tested it with 6887 DD species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/key-biodiversity-areas-are-proving-useful-for-spatial-planning-if-the-criteria-are-applied-correctly","title":"Key Biodiversity Areas are proving useful for spatial planning if the criteria are applied correctly.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/key-biodiversity-areas-are-proving-useful-for-spatial-planning-if-the-criteria-are-applied-correctly","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:16:54Z","content_text":"Key Biodiversity Area (KBAs) are sites of significance for the global persistence of biodiversity, identified nationally using criteria and thresholds developed through extensive consultation and testing (IUCN, 2016). KBAs currently cover 8.01% of the terrestrial and 2.49% of the marine surface of the earth, but Farooq et al. (2023) predicted that comprehensive application of the criteria would lead to a blanket coverage of KBAs across the world. Unfortunately, their analysis has several shortcomings that mean that their conclusion is not warranted.","summary":"Key Biodiversity Area (KBAs) are sites of significance for the global persistence of biodiversity, identified nationally using criteria and thresholds developed through extensive consultation and testing (IUCN, 2016). KBAs currently cover 8.01% of the terrestrial and 2.49% of the marine surface of the earth, but Farooq et al. (2023) predicted that comprehensive application of the criteria would lead to a blanket coverage of KBAs across the world. Unfortunately, their analysis has several shortcomings that mean that their conclusion is not warranted."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-assessment-of-patterns-in-forest-integrity-in-key-biodiversity-areas","title":"A global assessment of patterns in forest integrity in Key Biodiversity Areas","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-assessment-of-patterns-in-forest-integrity-in-key-biodiversity-areas","date_published":"2024-12-02T10:13:39Z","content_text":"We utilised the Forest Landscape Integrity Index (FLII), which has been mapped globally at a 300 m resolution, to measure trends in forest integrity across 6844 KBAs of importance for forest biodiversity.","summary":"We utilised the Forest Landscape Integrity Index (FLII), which has been mapped globally at a 300 m resolution, to measure trends in forest integrity across 6844 KBAs of importance for forest biodiversity."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/targeting-ocean-conservation-outcomes-through-threat-reduction","title":"Targeting ocean conservation outcomes through threat reduction","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/targeting-ocean-conservation-outcomes-through-threat-reduction","date_published":"2024-12-02T09:43:07Z","content_text":"We extend the coverage of the threat abatement component of the STAR metric (START), used to identify locations where positive interventions could make a large contribution to reducing global species extinction risk and where developments that increase threats to species should be mitigated, to the marine realm for 1646 marine species. ","summary":"We extend the coverage of the threat abatement component of the STAR metric (START), used to identify locations where positive interventions could make a large contribution to reducing global species extinction risk and where developments that increase threats to species should be mitigated, to the marine realm for 1646 marine species. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-data-highlight-the-importance-of-human-induced-mortality-for-large-migratory-birds-at-a-flyway-scale","title":"Tracking data highlight the importance of human-induced mortality for large migratory birds at a flyway scale","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-data-highlight-the-importance-of-human-induced-mortality-for-large-migratory-birds-at-a-flyway-scale","date_published":"2024-12-02T09:38:22Z","content_text":"Human-induced direct mortality affects huge numbers of birds each year, threatening hundreds of species worldwide. Tracking technologies can be an important tool to investigate temporal and spatial patterns of bird mortality as well as their drivers. We compiled 1704 mortality records from tracking studies across the African-Eurasian flyway for 45 species, including raptors, storks, and cranes, covering the period from 2003 to 2021. Our results show a higher frequency of human-induced causes of mortality than natural causes across taxonomic groups, geographical areas, and age classes. ","summary":"Human-induced direct mortality affects huge numbers of birds each year, threatening hundreds of species worldwide. Tracking technologies can be an important tool to investigate temporal and spatial patterns of bird mortality as well as their drivers. We compiled 1704 mortality records from tracking studies across the African-Eurasian flyway for 45 species, including raptors, storks, and cranes, covering the period from 2003 to 2021. Our results show a higher frequency of human-induced causes of mortality than natural causes across taxonomic groups, geographical areas, and age classes. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-positive-impact-of-conservation-action","title":"The positive impact of conservation action. ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-positive-impact-of-conservation-action","date_published":"2024-12-02T09:31:02Z","content_text":"Governments recently adopted new global targets to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. It is therefore crucial to understand the outcomes of conservation actions. We conducted a global meta-analysis of 186 studies (including 665 trials) that measured biodiversity over time and compared outcomes under conservation action with a suitable counterfactual of no action. ","summary":"Governments recently adopted new global targets to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. It is therefore crucial to understand the outcomes of conservation actions. We conducted a global meta-analysis of 186 studies (including 665 trials) that measured biodiversity over time and compared outcomes under conservation action with a suitable counterfactual of no action. "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/accelerating-and-standardising-iucn-red-list-assessments-with-sredlist","title":"Accelerating and standardising IUCN Red List assessments with sRedList","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/accelerating-and-standardising-iucn-red-list-assessments-with-sredlist","date_published":"2024-12-02T09:27:04Z","content_text":"The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species underpins much decision-making in conservation and plays a key role in monitoring the status and trends of biodiversity. However, the shortage of funds and assessor capacity slows the uptake of novel data and techniques, hampering its currency, applicability, consistency and long-term viability. To help address this, we developed sRedList, a user-friendly online platform that assists Red List assessors through a step-by-step process to estimate key parameters in a standardised and reproducible fashion.","summary":"The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species underpins much decision-making in conservation and plays a key role in monitoring the status and trends of biodiversity. However, the shortage of funds and assessor capacity slows the uptake of novel data and techniques, hampering its currency, applicability, consistency and long-term viability. To help address this, we developed sRedList, a user-friendly online platform that assists Red List assessors through a step-by-step process to estimate key parameters in a standardised and reproducible fashion."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/understanding-the-species-elements-in-the-kunming-montreal-global-biodiversity-framework","title":"Understanding the species elements in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/understanding-the-species-elements-in-the-kunming-montreal-global-biodiversity-framework","date_published":"2024-12-02T09:16:47Z","content_text":"The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted in December 2022 by the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The framework states outcomes for species to be achieved by 2050 in goal A and establishes a range of targets to reduce pressures on biodiversity and halt biodiversity loss by 2030. Target 4 calls for urgent recovery actions for species where the implementation of other targets is insufficient to eliminate extinction risk. We analyze key species elements of goal A and target 4, examine their meaning and clarify implementation needs.","summary":"The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted in December 2022 by the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The framework states outcomes for species to be achieved by 2050 in goal A and establishes a range of targets to reduce pressures on biodiversity and halt biodiversity loss by 2030. Target 4 calls for urgent recovery actions for species where the implementation of other targets is insufficient to eliminate extinction risk. We analyze key species elements of goal A and target 4, examine their meaning and clarify implementation needs."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-metrics-for-terrestrial-biodiversity","title":"Global metrics for terrestrial biodiversity. ","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-metrics-for-terrestrial-biodiversity","date_published":"2024-12-02T09:10:21Z","content_text":"Biodiversity metrics are increasingly in demand for informing government, business, and civil society decisions. However, it is not always clear to end users how these metrics differ or for what purpose they are best suited. We seek to answer these questions using a database of 573 biodiversity-related metrics, indicators, indices, and layers, which address aspects of genetic diversity, species, and ecosystems.","summary":"Biodiversity metrics are increasingly in demand for informing government, business, and civil society decisions. However, it is not always clear to end users how these metrics differ or for what purpose they are best suited. We seek to answer these questions using a database of 573 biodiversity-related metrics, indicators, indices, and layers, which address aspects of genetic diversity, species, and ecosystems."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/adapting-global-biodiversity-indicators-to-the-national-scale-a-red-list-index-for-australian-birds","title":"Adapting global biodiversity indicators to the national scale: a Red List Index for Australian birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/adapting-global-biodiversity-indicators-to-the-national-scale-a-red-list-index-for-australian-birds","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:57:37Z","content_text":"The Red List Index (RLI), which uses information from the IUCN Red List to track trends in the projected overall extinction risk of sets of species, is among the indicators adopted by the world’s governments to assess performance under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. For greatest impact, such indicators need to be measured and used at a national scale as well as globally. We present the first application of the RLI based on assessments of extinction risk at the national scale using IUCN’s recommended methods, evaluating trends in the status of Australian birds for 1990–2010. We calculated RLIs based on the number of taxa in each Red List category and the number that changed categories between assessments in 1990, 2000 and 2010 as a result of genuine improvement or deterioration in status. A novel comparison between trends at the species and ultrataxon (subspecies or monotypic species) level showed that these were remarkably similar, suggesting that current global RLI trends at the species level may also be a useful surrogate for tracking losses in genetic diversity at this scale, for which no global measures currently exist. The RLI for Australia is declining faster than global rates when migratory shorebirds and seabirds are included, but not when changes resulting from threats in Australia alone are considered. The RLI of oceanic island taxa has declined faster than those on the continent or on continental islands. There were also differences in the performance of different jurisdictions within Australia.","summary":"The Red List Index (RLI), which uses information from the IUCN Red List to track trends in the projected overall extinction risk of sets of species, is among the indicators adopted by the world’s governments to assess performance under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. For greatest impact, such indicators need to be measured and used at a national scale as well as globally. We present the first application of the RLI based on assessments of extinction risk at the national scale using IUCN’s recommended methods, evaluating trends in the status of Australian birds for 1990–2010. We calculated RLIs based on the number of taxa in each Red List category and the number that changed categories between assessments in 1990, 2000 and 2010 as a result of genuine improvement or deterioration in status. A novel comparison between trends at the species and ultrataxon (subspecies or monotypic species) level showed that these were remarkably similar, suggesting that current global RLI trends at the species level may also be a useful surrogate for tracking losses in genetic diversity at this scale, for which no global measures currently exist. The RLI for Australia is declining faster than global rates when migratory shorebirds and seabirds are included, but not when changes resulting from threats in Australia alone are considered. The RLI of oceanic island taxa has declined faster than those on the continent or on continental islands. There were also differences in the performance of different jurisdictions within Australia."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-trends-in-the-extinction-risk-of-wild-relatives-of-domesticated-species-to-assess-progress-against-global-biodiversity-targets","title":"Tracking trends in the extinction risk of wild relatives of domesticated species to assess progress against global biodiversity targets.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-trends-in-the-extinction-risk-of-wild-relatives-of-domesticated-species-to-assess-progress-against-global-biodiversity-targets","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:50:24Z","content_text":"Ensuring the conservation of wild relatives of domesticated animals that are important food sources for humans forms part of targets for both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). There is, however, no indicator allowing progress toward these aims to be measured. We identified 30 domesticated mammal and bird taxa that are sources of food for humans and consider 55 mammal and 449 bird species to be their wild relatives. We developed a Red List Index for these wild relatives, which declined by 2.02% between 1988 and 2016. Currently, 15 species are Critically Endangered, indicating that the Red List Index could deteriorate sharply unless action is taken to ensure the survival of highly threatened species and the reversal of their declines. This Index can meet a range of global policy needs, including reporting on progress toward Aichi Target 13 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and SDG Target 2.5.","summary":"Ensuring the conservation of wild relatives of domesticated animals that are important food sources for humans forms part of targets for both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). There is, however, no indicator allowing progress toward these aims to be measured. We identified 30 domesticated mammal and bird taxa that are sources of food for humans and consider 55 mammal and 449 bird species to be their wild relatives. We developed a Red List Index for these wild relatives, which declined by 2.02% between 1988 and 2016. Currently, 15 species are Critically Endangered, indicating that the Red List Index could deteriorate sharply unless action is taken to ensure the survival of highly threatened species and the reversal of their declines. This Index can meet a range of global policy needs, including reporting on progress toward Aichi Target 13 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and SDG Target 2.5."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/-analysing-biodiversity-and-conservation-knowledge-products-to-support-regional-environmental-assessments","title":") Analysing biodiversity and conservation knowledge products to support regional environmental assessments.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/-analysing-biodiversity-and-conservation-knowledge-products-to-support-regional-environmental-assessments","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:48:08Z","content_text":"Two processes for regional environmental assessment are currently underway: the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) and Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Both face constraints of data, time, capacity, and resources. To support these assessments, we disaggregate three global knowledge products according to their regions and subregions. These products are: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Key Biodiversity Areas (specifically Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas [IBAs], and Alliance for Zero Extinction [AZE] sites), and Protected Planet. We present fourteen Data citations: numbers of species occurring and percentages threatened; numbers of endemics and percentages threatened; downscaled Red List Indices for mammals, birds, and amphibians; numbers, mean sizes, and percentage coverages of IBAs and AZE sites; percentage coverage of land and sea by protected areas; and trends in percentages of IBAs and AZE sites wholly covered by protected areas. These data will inform the regional/subregional assessment chapters on the status of biodiversity, drivers of its decline, and institutional responses, and greatly facilitate comparability and consistency between the different regional/subregional assessments.","summary":"Two processes for regional environmental assessment are currently underway: the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) and Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Both face constraints of data, time, capacity, and resources. To support these assessments, we disaggregate three global knowledge products according to their regions and subregions. These products are: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Key Biodiversity Areas (specifically Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas [IBAs], and Alliance for Zero Extinction [AZE] sites), and Protected Planet. We present fourteen Data citations: numbers of species occurring and percentages threatened; numbers of endemics and percentages threatened; downscaled Red List Indices for mammals, birds, and amphibians; numbers, mean sizes, and percentage coverages of IBAs and AZE sites; percentage coverage of land and sea by protected areas; and trends in percentages of IBAs and AZE sites wholly covered by protected areas. These data will inform the regional/subregional assessment chapters on the status of biodiversity, drivers of its decline, and institutional responses, and greatly facilitate comparability and consistency between the different regional/subregional assessments."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/harnessing-biodiversity-and-conservation-knowledge-products-to-track-the-aichi-targets-and-sustainable-development-goals","title":"Harnessing biodiversity and conservation knowledge products to track the Aichi Targets and Sustainable Development Goals","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/harnessing-biodiversity-and-conservation-knowledge-products-to-track-the-aichi-targets-and-sustainable-development-goals","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:44:33Z","content_text":"For 50 years, the IUCN Commissions, Secretariat, Members such as BirdLife International and partners such as UNEP-WCMC have been mobilising biodiversity and conservation knowledge products, which are fundamentally important for tracking progress towards 10 of the 20 Aichi Targets, and should similarly become so for seven of the emerging 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each of these knowledge products comprises standards, governance and quality control, data sets, tools, capacity building and ongoing processes for derivation of biodiversity indicators. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, established in 1964, documents extinction risk for more than 76,000 species. Protected Planet, working from the mandate to provide the UN List of Protected Areas, is convened jointly with UNEP and documents ~220,000 protected areas. The Red List of Ecosystems aims to assess the risk of collapse of ecosystems, and is currently being piloted in a number of countries. Key Biodiversity Areas are sites contributing significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity, identified at national levels using globally standard criteria. The system has been developed over the last four decades by BirdLife International and others with ~15,000 sites identified; it is anticipated that IUCN will approve the umbrella standard around these existing approaches in 2015. Of the 55 global indicators mobilised for mid-term assessment of progress towards the Aichi Targets for the fourth Global Biodiversity Outlook, nearly a third were wholly or partly based on these knowledge products (spanning 10 of the Aichi Targets). Indicators derived from these knowledge products will also be applicable to seven of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, annual investment into these knowledge products is currently only a fraction of that necessary to maintain their currency, quality, and scope. If these key indicators towards the Aichi Targets are to be maintained, sustainable long-term financing mechanisms must be established to resource the underlying knowledge products.","summary":"For 50 years, the IUCN Commissions, Secretariat, Members such as BirdLife International and partners such as UNEP-WCMC have been mobilising biodiversity and conservation knowledge products, which are fundamentally important for tracking progress towards 10 of the 20 Aichi Targets, and should similarly become so for seven of the emerging 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each of these knowledge products comprises standards, governance and quality control, data sets, tools, capacity building and ongoing processes for derivation of biodiversity indicators. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, established in 1964, documents extinction risk for more than 76,000 species. Protected Planet, working from the mandate to provide the UN List of Protected Areas, is convened jointly with UNEP and documents ~220,000 protected areas. The Red List of Ecosystems aims to assess the risk of collapse of ecosystems, and is currently being piloted in a number of countries. Key Biodiversity Areas are sites contributing significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity, identified at national levels using globally standard criteria. The system has been developed over the last four decades by BirdLife International and others with ~15,000 sites identified; it is anticipated that IUCN will approve the umbrella standard around these existing approaches in 2015. Of the 55 global indicators mobilised for mid-term assessment of progress towards the Aichi Targets for the fourth Global Biodiversity Outlook, nearly a third were wholly or partly based on these knowledge products (spanning 10 of the Aichi Targets). Indicators derived from these knowledge products will also be applicable to seven of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, annual investment into these knowledge products is currently only a fraction of that necessary to maintain their currency, quality, and scope. If these key indicators towards the Aichi Targets are to be maintained, sustainable long-term financing mechanisms must be established to resource the underlying knowledge products."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-red-list-index-measuring-trends-in-the-threat-status-of-biodiversity","title":"The Red List Index: measuring trends in the threat status of biodiversity.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-red-list-index-measuring-trends-in-the-threat-status-of-biodiversity","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:39:46Z","content_text":"The world’s leaders have set a target of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010, but we do not yet have an adequate set of indicators to measure progress towards achieving this. One relevant source of information is the IUCN Red List, which is considered to be the most authoritative and objective system for classifying species by their risk of extinction. It has been used to develop Red List Indices (RLIs), which illustrate the rate at which a particular set of species change in overall projected relative extinction risk, based on population and range size and trends as quantified by Red List categories.","summary":"The world’s leaders have set a target of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010, but we do not yet have an adequate set of indicators to measure progress towards achieving this. One relevant source of information is the IUCN Red List, which is considered to be the most authoritative and objective system for classifying species by their risk of extinction. It has been used to develop Red List Indices (RLIs), which illustrate the rate at which a particular set of species change in overall projected relative extinction risk, based on population and range size and trends as quantified by Red List categories."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/improvements-to-the-red-list-index","title":"Improvements to the Red List Index.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/improvements-to-the-red-list-index","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:39:08Z","content_text":"The Red List Index uses information from the IUCN Red List to track trends in the projected overall extinction risk of sets of species. It has been widely recognised as an important component of the suite of indicators needed to measure progress towards the international target of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. However, further application of the RLI (to non-avian taxa in particular) has revealed some shortcomings in the original formula and approach: It performs inappropriately when a value of zero is reached; RLI values are affected by the frequency of assessments; and newly evaluated species may introduce bias. Here we propose a revision to the formula, and recommend how it should be applied in order to overcome these shortcomings. Two additional advantages of the revisions are that assessment errors are not propagated through time, and the overall level extinction risk can be determined as well as trends in this over time.","summary":"The Red List Index uses information from the IUCN Red List to track trends in the projected overall extinction risk of sets of species. It has been widely recognised as an important component of the suite of indicators needed to measure progress towards the international target of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. However, further application of the RLI (to non-avian taxa in particular) has revealed some shortcomings in the original formula and approach: It performs inappropriately when a value of zero is reached; RLI values are affected by the frequency of assessments; and newly evaluated species may introduce bias. Here we propose a revision to the formula, and recommend how it should be applied in order to overcome these shortcomings. Two additional advantages of the revisions are that assessment errors are not propagated through time, and the overall level extinction risk can be determined as well as trends in this over time."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/red-list-indices-to-measure-the-sustainability-of-species-use-and-impacts-of-invasive-alien-species","title":"Red List Indices to measure the sustainability of species use and impacts of invasive alien species.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/red-list-indices-to-measure-the-sustainability-of-species-use-and-impacts-of-invasive-alien-species","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:38:50Z","content_text":"After habitat loss and degradation, the leading threats to biodiversity are over-exploitation and invasive alien species. For birds, newly synthesised data using the standard classification schemes for utilisation and threat types for the IUCN Red List allow novel analyses on the importance of these threats and permit the calculation of Red List Indices (RLIs) to show trends in the status of birds driven by these factors. At least 45.7% of extant bird species (4,561 species) are used by humans, principally for pets (37.0%) and for hunting for food (14.2%), but other uses include sport hunting, ornamentation and traditional medicine. Much of this use drives trade at an international scale, involving at least 3,337 species (33.9%, substantially higher than previous estimates), mostly for the pet trade. RLIs show that although successful control and management of use and trade have led to some species improving in status, this has been outweighed by the number of species deteriorating in status owing to unsustainable exploitation. Overall, the RLI showing trends in extinction risk driven by issues related to use shows a negative slope: human use of birds is currently unsustainable. Similarly, and of relevance to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the RLI for internationally traded bird species showing trends in extinction risk driven by issues related to international trade is also declining: international trade remains a threat to the world's birds. Invasive species impact at least one third of the world's threatened bird species (398 species, 32.6%), with mammals being the most important (impacting 81.1%), particularly through predation by carnivores and rodents. The RLI illustrating impacts of invasive species shows that they are driving a deterioration in the status of the world's birds. RLIs for the impacts of use and invasive species will be important indicators to help track progress towards the target of significantly reducing biodiversity loss by 2010.","summary":"After habitat loss and degradation, the leading threats to biodiversity are over-exploitation and invasive alien species. For birds, newly synthesised data using the standard classification schemes for utilisation and threat types for the IUCN Red List allow novel analyses on the importance of these threats and permit the calculation of Red List Indices (RLIs) to show trends in the status of birds driven by these factors. At least 45.7% of extant bird species (4,561 species) are used by humans, principally for pets (37.0%) and for hunting for food (14.2%), but other uses include sport hunting, ornamentation and traditional medicine. Much of this use drives trade at an international scale, involving at least 3,337 species (33.9%, substantially higher than previous estimates), mostly for the pet trade. RLIs show that although successful control and management of use and trade have led to some species improving in status, this has been outweighed by the number of species deteriorating in status owing to unsustainable exploitation. Overall, the RLI showing trends in extinction risk driven by issues related to use shows a negative slope: human use of birds is currently unsustainable. Similarly, and of relevance to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the RLI for internationally traded bird species showing trends in extinction risk driven by issues related to international trade is also declining: international trade remains a threat to the world's birds. Invasive species impact at least one third of the world's threatened bird species (398 species, 32.6%), with mammals being the most important (impacting 81.1%), particularly through predation by carnivores and rodents. The RLI illustrating impacts of invasive species shows that they are driving a deterioration in the status of the world's birds. RLIs for the impacts of use and invasive species will be important indicators to help track progress towards the target of significantly reducing biodiversity loss by 2010."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/iucn-red-list-index-guidance-for-national-and-regional-use","title":"IUCN Red List Index: Guidance for national and regional use.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/iucn-red-list-index-guidance-for-national-and-regional-use","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:38:12Z","content_text":"The RLI uses data from the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM (IUCN Red List, http://www.iucnredlist.org), widely recognized as the most authoritative, objective and compre hensive approach for evaluating the global conservation status of species and categorising them according to their risk of extinction. The IUCN Red List uses quantitative criteria based on population size, rate of decline, and area of distribution to assign species to one of seven categories of relative extinction risk, ranging from ‘Extinct’ to ‘Least Concern’ (or to a ‘Data Deficient’ category for species that are very poorly known). ","summary":"The RLI uses data from the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM (IUCN Red List, http://www.iucnredlist.org), widely recognized as the most authoritative, objective and compre hensive approach for evaluating the global conservation status of species and categorising them according to their risk of extinction. The IUCN Red List uses quantitative criteria based on population size, rate of decline, and area of distribution to assign species to one of seven categories of relative extinction risk, ranging from ‘Extinct’ to ‘Least Concern’ (or to a ‘Data Deficient’ category for species that are very poorly known). "},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/accounting-for-conservation-using-the-iucn-red-list-index-to-evaluate-the-impact-of-a-conservation-organisation","title":"Accounting for conservation: using the IUCN Red List Index to evaluate the impact of a conservation organisation","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/accounting-for-conservation-using-the-iucn-red-list-index-to-evaluate-the-impact-of-a-conservation-organisation","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:36:51Z","content_text":"Global and project-level biodiversity indicators have received considerable attention, but indicators of the conservation actions and impacts of programmes and institutions appear to be under-developed. The IUCN Red List Index (RLI) has potential to be a useful indicator at an organizational-level to evaluate long-term impact of conservation on the extinction risk of species, thereby supporting institutional decision-making and communications. However, it has not yet been tested for its utility in tracking changes in extinction risk of a set of species targeted specifically by an individual conservation agency. Here, we examine the feasibility of using the RLI as one metric of the conservation impact of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, a conservation charity which runs multi-decadal programmes on a modest number of globally threatened terrestrial vertebrate species. Of 17 target amphibian, bird and mammal species, eight underwent improvements in Red List category (reductions in extinction risk) owing to conservation. This drove a 67% increase in the value of the Red List Index between 1988 and 2012. This contrasts with a 23% decline in a counterfactual RLI showing projected trends if conservation had been withdrawn in 1988. For organizations that target sets of species with circumscribed geographic distributions and that are regularly assessed by the IUCN Red List, the RLI is a useful indicator for measuring and demonstrating long-term conservation impact to technical and non-technical audiences.","summary":"Global and project-level biodiversity indicators have received considerable attention, but indicators of the conservation actions and impacts of programmes and institutions appear to be under-developed. The IUCN Red List Index (RLI) has potential to be a useful indicator at an organizational-level to evaluate long-term impact of conservation on the extinction risk of species, thereby supporting institutional decision-making and communications. However, it has not yet been tested for its utility in tracking changes in extinction risk of a set of species targeted specifically by an individual conservation agency. Here, we examine the feasibility of using the RLI as one metric of the conservation impact of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, a conservation charity which runs multi-decadal programmes on a modest number of globally threatened terrestrial vertebrate species. Of 17 target amphibian, bird and mammal species, eight underwent improvements in Red List category (reductions in extinction risk) owing to conservation. This drove a 67% increase in the value of the Red List Index between 1988 and 2012. This contrasts with a 23% decline in a counterfactual RLI showing projected trends if conservation had been withdrawn in 1988. For organizations that target sets of species with circumscribed geographic distributions and that are regularly assessed by the IUCN Red List, the RLI is a useful indicator for measuring and demonstrating long-term conservation impact to technical and non-technical audiences."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-mid-term-analysis-of-progress-towards-international-biodiversity-targets","title":" A mid-term analysis of progress towards international biodiversity targets.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-mid-term-analysis-of-progress-towards-international-biodiversity-targets","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:36:30Z","content_text":"In 2010, the international community, under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, agreed on 20 biodiversity-related “Aichi Targets” to be achieved within a decade. We provide a comprehensive mid-term assessment of progress toward these global targets using 55 indicator data sets. We projected indicator trends to 2020 using an adaptive statistical framework that incorporated the specific properties of individual time series. On current trajectories, results suggest that despite accelerating policy and management responses to the biodiversity crisis, the impacts of these efforts are unlikely to be reflected in improved trends in the state of biodiversity by 2020. We highlight areas of societal endeavor requiring additional efforts to achieve the Aichi Targets, and provide a baseline against which to assess future progress.","summary":"In 2010, the international community, under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, agreed on 20 biodiversity-related “Aichi Targets” to be achieved within a decade. We provide a comprehensive mid-term assessment of progress toward these global targets using 55 indicator data sets. We projected indicator trends to 2020 using an adaptive statistical framework that incorporated the specific properties of individual time series. On current trajectories, results suggest that despite accelerating policy and management responses to the biodiversity crisis, the impacts of these efforts are unlikely to be reflected in improved trends in the state of biodiversity by 2020. We highlight areas of societal endeavor requiring additional efforts to achieve the Aichi Targets, and provide a baseline against which to assess future progress."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/spatially-explicit-trends-in-the-global-conservation-status-of-vertebrates","title":"Spatially explicit trends in the global conservation status of vertebrates","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/spatially-explicit-trends-in-the-global-conservation-status-of-vertebrates","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:36:00Z","content_text":"The world's governments have committed to preventing the extinction of threatened species and improving their conservation status by 2020. However, biodiversity is not evenly distributed across space, and neither are the drivers of its decline, and so different regions face very different challenges. Here, we quantify the contribution of regions and countries towards recent global trends in vertebrate conservation status (as measured by the Red List Index), to guide action towards the 2020 target. We found that>50% of the global deterioration in the conservation status of birds, mammals and amphibians is concentrated in <1% of the surface area, 39/1098 ecoregions (4%) and eight/195 countries (4%) – Australia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and the United States. These countries hold a third of global diversity in these vertebrate groups, partially explaining why they concentrate most of the losses. Yet, other megadiverse countries – most notably Brazil (responsible for 10% of species but just 1% of deterioration), plus India and Madagascar – performed better in conserving their share of global vertebrate diversity. Very few countries, mostly island nations (e.g. Cook Islands, Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Tonga), have achieved net improvements. Per capita wealth does not explain these patterns, with two of the richest countries – United States and Australia – fairing conspicuously poorly. Different countries were affected by different combinations of threats. Reducing global rates of biodiversity loss will require investment in the regions and countries with the highest responsibility for the world's biodiversity, focusing on conserving those species and areas most in peril and on reducing the drivers with the highest impacts.","summary":"The world's governments have committed to preventing the extinction of threatened species and improving their conservation status by 2020. However, biodiversity is not evenly distributed across space, and neither are the drivers of its decline, and so different regions face very different challenges. Here, we quantify the contribution of regions and countries towards recent global trends in vertebrate conservation status (as measured by the Red List Index), to guide action towards the 2020 target. We found that>50% of the global deterioration in the conservation status of birds, mammals and amphibians is concentrated in <1% of the surface area, 39/1098 ecoregions (4%) and eight/195 countries (4%) – Australia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and the United States. These countries hold a third of global diversity in these vertebrate groups, partially explaining why they concentrate most of the losses. Yet, other megadiverse countries – most notably Brazil (responsible for 10% of species but just 1% of deterioration), plus India and Madagascar – performed better in conserving their share of global vertebrate diversity. Very few countries, mostly island nations (e.g. Cook Islands, Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Tonga), have achieved net improvements. Per capita wealth does not explain these patterns, with two of the richest countries – United States and Australia – fairing conspicuously poorly. Different countries were affected by different combinations of threats. Reducing global rates of biodiversity loss will require investment in the regions and countries with the highest responsibility for the world's biodiversity, focusing on conserving those species and areas most in peril and on reducing the drivers with the highest impacts."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/projecting-global-biodiversity-indicators-under-future-development-scenarios","title":"Projecting global biodiversity indicators under future development scenarios.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/projecting-global-biodiversity-indicators-under-future-development-scenarios","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:35:43Z","content_text":"To address the ongoing global biodiversity crisis, governments have set strategic objectives and have adopted indicators to monitor progress toward their achievement. Projecting the likely impacts on biodiversity of different policy decisions allows decision makers to understand if and how these targets can be met. We projected trends in two widely used indicators of population abundance Geometric Mean Abundance, equivalent to the Living Planet Index and extinction risk (the Red List Index) under different climate and land-use change scenarios. Testing these on terrestrial carnivore and ungulate species, we found that both indicators decline steadily, and by 2050, under a Business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, geometric mean population abundance declines by 18–35% while extinction risk increases for 8–23% of the species, depending on assumptions about species responses to climate change. BAU will therefore fail Convention on Biological Diversity target 12 of improving the conservation status of known threatened species. An alternative sustainable development scenario reduces both extinction risk and population losses compared with BAU and could lead to population increases. Our approach to model species responses to global changes brings the focus of scenarios directly to the species level, thus taking into account an additional dimension of biodiversity and paving the way for including stronger ecological foundations into future biodiversity scenario assessments.","summary":"To address the ongoing global biodiversity crisis, governments have set strategic objectives and have adopted indicators to monitor progress toward their achievement. Projecting the likely impacts on biodiversity of different policy decisions allows decision makers to understand if and how these targets can be met. We projected trends in two widely used indicators of population abundance Geometric Mean Abundance, equivalent to the Living Planet Index and extinction risk (the Red List Index) under different climate and land-use change scenarios. Testing these on terrestrial carnivore and ungulate species, we found that both indicators decline steadily, and by 2050, under a Business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, geometric mean population abundance declines by 18–35% while extinction risk increases for 8–23% of the species, depending on assumptions about species responses to climate change. BAU will therefore fail Convention on Biological Diversity target 12 of improving the conservation status of known threatened species. An alternative sustainable development scenario reduces both extinction risk and population losses compared with BAU and could lead to population increases. Our approach to model species responses to global changes brings the focus of scenarios directly to the species level, thus taking into account an additional dimension of biodiversity and paving the way for including stronger ecological foundations into future biodiversity scenario assessments."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-trends-in-the-status-of-bird-and-mammal-pollinators","title":"Global trends in the status of bird and mammal pollinators.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-trends-in-the-status-of-bird-and-mammal-pollinators","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:35:23Z","content_text":"Biodiversity is declining, with direct and indirect effects on ecosystem functions and services that are poorly quantified. Here, we develop the first global assessment of trends in pollinators, focusing on pollinating birds and mammals. A Red List Index for these species shows that, overall, pollinating bird and mammal species are deteriorating in status, with more species moving toward extinction than away from it. On average, 2.5 species per year have moved one Red List category toward extinction in recent decades, representing a substantial increase in the extinction risk across this set of species. This may be impacting the delivery of benefits that these species provide to people. We recommend that the index be expanded to include taxonomic groups that contribute more significantly to pollination, such as bees, wasps, and butterflies, thereby giving a more complete picture of the state of pollinating species worldwide.","summary":"Biodiversity is declining, with direct and indirect effects on ecosystem functions and services that are poorly quantified. Here, we develop the first global assessment of trends in pollinators, focusing on pollinating birds and mammals. A Red List Index for these species shows that, overall, pollinating bird and mammal species are deteriorating in status, with more species moving toward extinction than away from it. On average, 2.5 species per year have moved one Red List category toward extinction in recent decades, representing a substantial increase in the extinction risk across this set of species. This may be impacting the delivery of benefits that these species provide to people. We recommend that the index be expanded to include taxonomic groups that contribute more significantly to pollination, such as bees, wasps, and butterflies, thereby giving a more complete picture of the state of pollinating species worldwide."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-progress-towards-the-2010-biodiversity-target-and-beyond","title":"Tracking progress towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target and beyond.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-progress-towards-the-2010-biodiversity-target-and-beyond","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:15:41Z","content_text":"In response to global declines in biodiversity, some 190 countries have pledged, under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 (1, 2). Moreover, this target has recently been incorporated into the Millennium Development Goals in recognition of the impact of biodiversity loss on human well-being (3). Timely information on where and in what ways the target has or has not been met, as well as the likely direction of future trends, depends on a rigorous, relevant, and comprehensive suite of biodiversity indicators with which to track changes over time, to assess the impacts of policy and management responses, and to identify priorities for action. How far have we come in meeting these needs, and is it sufficient?","summary":"In response to global declines in biodiversity, some 190 countries have pledged, under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 (1, 2). Moreover, this target has recently been incorporated into the Millennium Development Goals in recognition of the impact of biodiversity loss on human well-being (3). Timely information on where and in what ways the target has or has not been met, as well as the likely direction of future trends, depends on a rigorous, relevant, and comprehensive suite of biodiversity indicators with which to track changes over time, to assess the impacts of policy and management responses, and to identify priorities for action. How far have we come in meeting these needs, and is it sufficient?"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/toward-monitoring-global-biodiversity","title":"Toward monitoring global biodiversity","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/toward-monitoring-global-biodiversity","date_published":"2024-11-29T19:13:17Z","content_text":"The world's governments have identified reducing the rate of biodiversity loss as a global priority. However, we lack robust measures of progress toward this target. Developing indicators that are generally representative of trends in global biodiversity has presented the scientific community with a significant challenge. Here we discuss the development and implementation of the IUCN Red List Index with a new sampled approach, permitting the assessment of the conservation status and trends of large, speciose taxonomic groups. This approach is based on the IUCN Red List and measures trends in extinction risk through time. The challenges in developing this new approach are addressed, including determining the species groups to be included in the index, identifying the minimum adequate samples size, and aggregating and weighting the index. Implementing this approach will greatly increase understanding of the status of the world's biodiversity by 2010, enabling the first assessment of a number of key groups.","summary":"The world's governments have identified reducing the rate of biodiversity loss as a global priority. However, we lack robust measures of progress toward this target. Developing indicators that are generally representative of trends in global biodiversity has presented the scientific community with a significant challenge. Here we discuss the development and implementation of the IUCN Red List Index with a new sampled approach, permitting the assessment of the conservation status and trends of large, speciose taxonomic groups. This approach is based on the IUCN Red List and measures trends in extinction risk through time. The challenges in developing this new approach are addressed, including determining the species groups to be included in the index, identifying the minimum adequate samples size, and aggregating and weighting the index. Implementing this approach will greatly increase understanding of the status of the world's biodiversity by 2010, enabling the first assessment of a number of key groups."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/using-red-list-indices-to-measure-progress-towards-the-2010-target-and-beyond","title":"Using Red List Indices to measure progress towards the 2010 target and beyond.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/using-red-list-indices-to-measure-progress-towards-the-2010-target-and-beyond","date_published":"2024-11-29T18:59:03Z","content_text":"The RLI for the world's birds shows that that their overall threat status has deteriorated steadily during the years 1988–2004 in all biogeographic realms and ecosystems. A preliminary RLI for amphibians for 1980–2004 shows similar rates of decline.","summary":"The RLI for the world's birds shows that that their overall threat status has deteriorated steadily during the years 1988–2004 in all biogeographic realms and ecosystems. A preliminary RLI for amphibians for 1980–2004 shows similar rates of decline."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/measuring-global-trends-in-the-status-of-biodiversity-red-list-indices-for-birds","title":"Measuring global trends in the status of biodiversity: Red List Indices for birds.","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/measuring-global-trends-in-the-status-of-biodiversity-red-list-indices-for-birds","date_published":"2024-11-29T17:22:22Z","content_text":"Here we present a method for producing indices based on the IUCN Red List to chart the overall threat status (projected relative extinction risk) of all the world's bird species from 1988 to 2004","summary":"Here we present a method for producing indices based on the IUCN Red List to chart the overall threat status (projected relative extinction risk) of all the world's bird species from 1988 to 2004"},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/metrics-of-progress-in-the-understanding-and-management-of-threats-to-australian-birds","title":"Metrics of progress in the understanding and management of threats to Australian birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/metrics-of-progress-in-the-understanding-and-management-of-threats-to-australian-birds","date_published":"2024-11-28T12:08:35Z","content_text":"Although evidence-based approaches have become commonplace for determining the success of conservation measures for the management of threatened taxa, there are no standard metrics for assessing progress in research or management. We developed 5 metrics to meet this need for threatened taxa and to quantify the need for further action and effective alleviation of threats.","summary":"Although evidence-based approaches have become commonplace for determining the success of conservation measures for the management of threatened taxa, there are no standard metrics for assessing progress in research or management. We developed 5 metrics to meet this need for threatened taxa and to quantify the need for further action and effective alleviation of threats."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/identifying-global-centres-of-unsustainable-commercial-harvesting-of-species","title":"Identifying global centres of unsustainable commercial harvesting of species","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/identifying-global-centres-of-unsustainable-commercial-harvesting-of-species","date_published":"2024-11-28T12:06:05Z","content_text":"Overexploitation is one of the main threats to biodiversity, but the intensity of this threat varies geographically. We identified global concentrations, on land and at sea, of 4543 species threatened by unsustainable commercial harvesting.","summary":"Overexploitation is one of the main threats to biodiversity, but the intensity of this threat varies geographically. We identified global concentrations, on land and at sea, of 4543 species threatened by unsustainable commercial harvesting."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/pervasive-human-driven-decline-of-life-on-earth-points-to-the-need-for-transformative-change","title":"Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/pervasive-human-driven-decline-of-life-on-earth-points-to-the-need-for-transformative-change","date_published":"2024-11-28T12:03:21Z","content_text":"The time is now For decades, scientists have been raising calls for societal changes that will reduce our impacts on nature. Though much conservation has occurred, our natural environment continues to decline under the weight of our consumption. Humanity depends directly on the output of nature; thus, this decline will affect us, just as it does the other species with which we share this world.","summary":"The time is now For decades, scientists have been raising calls for societal changes that will reduce our impacts on nature. Though much conservation has occurred, our natural environment continues to decline under the weight of our consumption. Humanity depends directly on the output of nature; thus, this decline will affect us, just as it does the other species with which we share this world."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/measuring-terrestrial-area-of-habitat-aoh-and-its-utility-for-the-iucn-red-list","title":"Measuring terrestrial Area of Habitat (AOH) and its utility for the IUCN Red List","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/measuring-terrestrial-area-of-habitat-aoh-and-its-utility-for-the-iucn-red-list","date_published":"2024-11-28T11:54:41Z","content_text":"The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assesses the extinction risk of nearly 100 000 species, including documentation of a range map, habitat, and elevation data for each species. Numerous recent studies have matched these habitat and elevation data with remotely sensed land cover and elevation datasets to map AOH (also known as extent of suitable habitat) within the range of each species.","summary":"The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assesses the extinction risk of nearly 100 000 species, including documentation of a range map, habitat, and elevation data for each species. Numerous recent studies have matched these habitat and elevation data with remotely sensed land cover and elevation datasets to map AOH (also known as extent of suitable habitat) within the range of each species."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/preliminary-assessment-of-the-scope-and-scale-of-illegal-killing-and-taking-of-birds-in-the-arabian-peninsula-iran-and-iraq","title":"Preliminary assessment of the scope and scale of illegal killing and taking of birds in the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Iraq","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/preliminary-assessment-of-the-scope-and-scale-of-illegal-killing-and-taking-of-birds-in-the-arabian-peninsula-iran-and-iraq","date_published":"2024-11-28T11:37:30Z","content_text":" High levels of illegal killing and taking of wild birds were recently reported for eastern Mediterranean countries, and anecdotal information from other countries of the Middle East suggests this may be a significant conservation issue for the whole region. We quantified the approximate scale and scope of this threat in the Arabian peninsula, Iran and Iraq, using a diverse range of data sources and incorporating expert knowledge.","summary":" High levels of illegal killing and taking of wild birds were recently reported for eastern Mediterranean countries, and anecdotal information from other countries of the Middle East suggests this may be a significant conservation issue for the whole region. We quantified the approximate scale and scope of this threat in the Arabian peninsula, Iran and Iraq, using a diverse range of data sources and incorporating expert knowledge."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/two-undescribed-species-of-bird-from-west-africa","title":"Two undescribed species of bird from West Africa","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/two-undescribed-species-of-bird-from-west-africa","date_published":"2024-11-28T11:27:26Z","content_text":"Taxonomically undifferentiated western and eastern populations of Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi and Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui are known to have very different voices. The cuckoo has two song types, a melodious three-note whistle and a plaintive whinnying in West Africa west of the Bakossi Mountains in Cameroon, and a much less melodious, higher-pitched three-note whistle and a much faster whinnying in Central Africa east of the Bakossi Mountains.","summary":"Taxonomically undifferentiated western and eastern populations of Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi and Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui are known to have very different voices. The cuckoo has two song types, a melodious three-note whistle and a plaintive whinnying in West Africa west of the Bakossi Mountains in Cameroon, and a much less melodious, higher-pitched three-note whistle and a much faster whinnying in Central Africa east of the Bakossi Mountains."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/behavioural-thermoregulation-and-climatic-range-restriction-in-the-globally-threatened-ethiopian-bush-crow-zavattariornis-stresemanni","title":"Behavioural thermoregulation and climatic range restriction in the globally threatened Ethiopian Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/behavioural-thermoregulation-and-climatic-range-restriction-in-the-globally-threatened-ethiopian-bush-crow-zavattariornis-stresemanni","date_published":"2024-11-28T11:22:32Z","content_text":"Climate may influence the distribution and abundance of a species through a number of demographic and ecological processes, but the proximate drivers of such responses are only recently being identified. The Ethiopian Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni is a starling-like corvid that is restricted to a small region of southern Ethiopia.","summary":"Climate may influence the distribution and abundance of a species through a number of demographic and ecological processes, but the proximate drivers of such responses are only recently being identified. The Ethiopian Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni is a starling-like corvid that is restricted to a small region of southern Ethiopia."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/phenology-and-climate-change-in-africa-and-the-decline-of-afropalearctic-migratory-bird-populations","title":"Phenology and climate change in Africa and the decline of Afro‐Palearctic migratory bird populations","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/phenology-and-climate-change-in-africa-and-the-decline-of-afropalearctic-migratory-bird-populations","date_published":"2024-11-28T11:19:12Z","content_text":"The populations of many Afro-Palearctic migratory bird species have declined over the last 50 years, for reasons that remain poorly understood, but which could include major environmental changes in Africa. We mapped, for the first time, the aggregated population trends of migratory species onto their non-breeding distributions in sub-Saharan Africa and used regression models that account for non-stationarity to examine correlations between assemblage population trend indices and changes in climate and vegetation phenology over the same time period.","summary":"The populations of many Afro-Palearctic migratory bird species have declined over the last 50 years, for reasons that remain poorly understood, but which could include major environmental changes in Africa. We mapped, for the first time, the aggregated population trends of migratory species onto their non-breeding distributions in sub-Saharan Africa and used regression models that account for non-stationarity to examine correlations between assemblage population trend indices and changes in climate and vegetation phenology over the same time period."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/important-at-sea-areas-of-colonial-breeding-marine-predators-on-the-southern-patagonian-shelf","title":"Important At-Sea Areas of Colonial Breeding Marine Predators on the Southern Patagonian Shelf","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/important-at-sea-areas-of-colonial-breeding-marine-predators-on-the-southern-patagonian-shelf","date_published":"2024-11-28T11:16:58Z","content_text":"The Patagonian Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem supports high levels of biodiversity and endemism and is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. Despite the important role marine predators play in structuring ecosystems, areas of high diversity where multiple predators congregate remains poorly known on the Patagonian Shelf. Here, we used biotelemetry and biologging tags to track the movements of six seabird species and three pinniped species breeding at the Falkland Islands.","summary":"The Patagonian Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem supports high levels of biodiversity and endemism and is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. Despite the important role marine predators play in structuring ecosystems, areas of high diversity where multiple predators congregate remains poorly known on the Patagonian Shelf. Here, we used biotelemetry and biologging tags to track the movements of six seabird species and three pinniped species breeding at the Falkland Islands."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-taxonomy-of-tanygnathus-sumatranus","title":"The taxonomy of Tanygnathus sumatranus","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/the-taxonomy-of-tanygnathus-sumatranus","date_published":"2024-11-28T11:13:51Z","content_text":"Philippine taxa currently assigned to Blue-backed, Azure-rumped or Müller's Parrot Tanygnathus sumatranus are distinctive both morphologically (larger bill, red vs. pale yellow iris, royal blue vs. glossy turquoise-blue rump, paler green head and duller green underparts; and males having darker green mantles and no blue on the carpals and scapulars) and genetically (as distinct from Indonesian T. sumatranus as T. lucionensis is from T. megalorhynchos).","summary":"Philippine taxa currently assigned to Blue-backed, Azure-rumped or Müller's Parrot Tanygnathus sumatranus are distinctive both morphologically (larger bill, red vs. pale yellow iris, royal blue vs. glossy turquoise-blue rump, paler green head and duller green underparts; and males having darker green mantles and no blue on the carpals and scapulars) and genetically (as distinct from Indonesian T. sumatranus as T. lucionensis is from T. megalorhynchos)."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/flying-into-extinction-understanding-the-role-of-singapores-international-parrot-trade-in-growing-domestic-demand","title":"Flying into extinction: Understanding the role of Singapore’s international parrot trade in growing domestic demand","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/flying-into-extinction-understanding-the-role-of-singapores-international-parrot-trade-in-growing-domestic-demand","date_published":"2024-11-28T11:10:29Z","content_text":"South-East Asia’s bird trade is of global conservation concern as it has massively depleted wild populations of many species. Parrots (Order Psittaciformes) are especially vulnerable because they are the most heavily traded group of birds globally under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) appendices. Singapore’s involvement in the global pet bird trade as a transhipment hub is well documented, particularly for parrots.","summary":"South-East Asia’s bird trade is of global conservation concern as it has massively depleted wild populations of many species. Parrots (Order Psittaciformes) are especially vulnerable because they are the most heavily traded group of birds globally under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) appendices. Singapore’s involvement in the global pet bird trade as a transhipment hub is well documented, particularly for parrots."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/developing-biodiversity-indicators-for-african-birds","title":"Developing biodiversity indicators for African birds","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/developing-biodiversity-indicators-for-african-birds","date_published":"2024-11-28T09:36:03Z","content_text":"Biodiversity indicators are essential for monitoring the impacts of pressures on the state of nature, determining the effectiveness of policy responses, and tracking progress towards biodiversity targets and sustainable development goals. Indicators based on trends in the abundance of birds are widely used for these purposes in Europe and have been identified as priorities for development elsewhere. To facilitate this we established bird population monitoring schemes in three African countries, based on citizen science approaches used in Europe, aiming to monitor population trends in common and widespread species.","summary":"Biodiversity indicators are essential for monitoring the impacts of pressures on the state of nature, determining the effectiveness of policy responses, and tracking progress towards biodiversity targets and sustainable development goals. Indicators based on trends in the abundance of birds are widely used for these purposes in Europe and have been identified as priorities for development elsewhere. To facilitate this we established bird population monitoring schemes in three African countries, based on citizen science approaches used in Europe, aiming to monitor population trends in common and widespread species."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-robust-goal-is-needed-for-species-in-the-post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework","title":"A robust goal is needed for species in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-robust-goal-is-needed-for-species-in-the-post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework","date_published":"2024-11-28T09:33:01Z","content_text":"In 2010, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 to address the loss and degradation of nature. Subsequently, most biodiversity indicators continued to decline. Nevertheless, conservation actions can make a positive difference for biodiversity. The emerging Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework has potential to catalyze efforts to “bend the curve” of biodiversity loss.","summary":"In 2010, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 to address the loss and degradation of nature. Subsequently, most biodiversity indicators continued to decline. Nevertheless, conservation actions can make a positive difference for biodiversity. The emerging Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework has potential to catalyze efforts to “bend the curve” of biodiversity loss."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-priority-areas-for-ecosystem-restoration","title":"Global priority areas for ecosystem restoration","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/global-priority-areas-for-ecosystem-restoration","date_published":"2024-11-28T09:28:39Z","content_text":"Extensive ecosystem restoration is increasingly seen as being central to conserving biodiversity and stabilizing the climate of the Earth. Although ambitious national and global targets have been set, global priority areas that account for spatial variation in benefits and costs have yet to be identified. Here we develop and apply a multicriteria optimization approach that identifies priority areas for restoration across all terrestrial biomes, and estimates their benefits and costs.","summary":"Extensive ecosystem restoration is increasingly seen as being central to conserving biodiversity and stabilizing the climate of the Earth. Although ambitious national and global targets have been set, global priority areas that account for spatial variation in benefits and costs have yet to be identified. Here we develop and apply a multicriteria optimization approach that identifies priority areas for restoration across all terrestrial biomes, and estimates their benefits and costs."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-extinction-risk-trends-and-patterns-in-a-mega-diverse-country-a-red-list-index-for-birds-in-colombia","title":"Tracking extinction risk trends and patterns in a mega-diverse country: a Red List Index for birds in Colombia","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/tracking-extinction-risk-trends-and-patterns-in-a-mega-diverse-country-a-red-list-index-for-birds-in-colombia","date_published":"2024-11-28T09:19:35Z","content_text":"Monitoring trends in the extinction risk of species is important for tracking conservation effectiveness. The Red List index (RLI) reflects changes in aggregate extinction risk for sets of species over time (a value of zero means that all species are extinct, a value of one means that all species are categorized as Least Concern). We calculated the first national RLI for birds in Colombia for the period 2002–2016, and disaggregated indices by ecosystems, regions, and species groups.","summary":"Monitoring trends in the extinction risk of species is important for tracking conservation effectiveness. The Red List index (RLI) reflects changes in aggregate extinction risk for sets of species over time (a value of zero means that all species are extinct, a value of one means that all species are categorized as Least Concern). We calculated the first national RLI for birds in Colombia for the period 2002–2016, and disaggregated indices by ecosystems, regions, and species groups."},{"id":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-map-of-species-terrestrial-habitat-types","title":"A global map of species terrestrial habitat types","url":"https://datazone.birdlife.org/publications/a-global-map-of-species-terrestrial-habitat-types","date_published":"2024-11-28T09:16:29Z","content_text":"We provide a global, spatially explicit characterization of 47 terrestrial habitat types, as defined in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) habitat classification scheme, which is widely used in ecological analyses, including for quantifying species’ Area of Habitat. We produced this novel habitat map for the year 2015 by creating a global decision tree that intersects the best currently available global data on land cover, climate and land use.","summary":"We provide a global, spatially explicit characterization of 47 terrestrial habitat types, as defined in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) habitat classification scheme, which is widely used in ecological analyses, including for quantifying species’ Area of Habitat. We produced this novel habitat map for the year 2015 by creating a global decision tree that intersects the best currently available global data on land cover, climate and land use."}]}