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In a first-of-its-kind study, scientists from dozens of research institutes reviewed more than 600 trials of conservation efforts around the world, dating as far back as the 1890s. They found that conservation efforts are effective at reducing global biodiversity loss.
“This study provides the strongest evidence to date that not only does conservation improve the state of biodiversity and slow its decline, but when it works, it really works,” said Dr. Penny Langhammer, a co-author of the study.
In two thirds of the cases studied, conservation work had a positive effect on biodiversity. In one out of five cases, however, the targeted species declined—but even that wasn't entirely bad news.
“One of the most interesting findings was that even when a conservation intervention didn't work for the species that is was intended, other species unintentionally benefited,” Dr. Langhammer told the BBC.
In 2022, nearly 200 countries agreed to protect 30 percent of the world's lands and oceans by 2030, in order to stop the decline of nature. In the U.S., one of the fastest ways to increase the number of protected acres is for the president to declare new national monuments using the Antiquities Act. As of Monday morning, it has been 265 days since President Biden last designated a new national monument.
More praise for BLM Public Lands Rule
In the two weeks since the Bureau of Land Management finalized a rule putting conservation on equal footing with extractive uses of public land, praise continues to come in for the agency's action.
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel editorial board weighed in over the weekend, saying “We think there’s wisdom underlying these changes. The Public Lands Rule acknowledges that there’s no use without sustainability.”
The Sentinel took the long view, noting that “Historians may well look back on this month as a point when the Bureau of Land Management became fully actualized to manage public lands for both conservation and consumption—‘multiple use and sustained yield.’”
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...mining is not a stable economic base for the West End [of Montrose County]. The West End struggles economically. The proposed monument will provide another opportunity to develop a more stable economy.”
