Biodiversity. Systematic Conservation Planning.

Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) is a key element for effective planning and improving nature conservation.

This is the finding of the study. "Advances in Systematic Conservation Planning to meet global biodiversity goals, " carried out by Sylvaine Giakoumi (first author, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn- SZN), Simonetta Fraschetti (University of Naples Federico II), Stefano Moro (SZN), Marco Andrello (Consiglio Nationale delle Ricerche - CNR), Elena Gissi (CNR) and faculty from Australia, Greece, Spangna, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Filanda, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany and published by Trends in Ecology and Evolution.

SCP, in particular, is a scientific approach that identifies cost-effective conservation actions to achieve biodiversity goals. Over the past 30 years, this approach has evolved into a winning strategy for driving conservation investments through the use of advanced algorithms, tools and data to help decide which actions to prioritize and where to allocate limited resources efficiently.

All while the world comes together under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems.

The newly released study thus underscores the relevance of the SCP to achieving the GBF's ambitious 2030 goals, including protecting 30 percent of the planet and restoring 30 percent of degraded ecosystems.

The study highlights cutting-edge developments, including faster and more accurate algorithms that improve planning solutions, integration of ecosystem services and the multiple components of biodiversity, such as genetic and functional diversity, approaches that intelligently account for climate change for long-term resilience in conservation, tools that can prioritize multiple conservation actions and improve stakeholder engagement, and greater accessibility through free and open-source platforms that encourage wide adoption.

Important tools such as Marxan and Zonation have been instrumental in advancing Systematic Preservation Planning, offering scalable solutions to high-complexity preservation challenges. These tools are designed to adopt the principles of SCP, including comprehensiveness, adequacy, representativeness and connectivity, ensuring biodiversity persistence and providing practical options for policymakers.

To promote adoption of the VMS by institutions and practitioners, the study outlines some key recommendations: use a standardized method for communicating uncertainty in planning to ensure trust and clarity; develop training programs aimed at improving the practical application of the VMS; and foster collaboration among scientists, practitioners, and stakeholders to align conservation goals with societal needs.

In addition, some key gaps are also identified that require further research, such as designing dynamic and adaptive planning solutions, and improving methodologies to address trade-offs between competing objectives for resources.

As nations advance their commitments under the GBF, Systematic Conservation Planning offers a proven and reliable framework for addressing biodiversity conservation challenges in an interconnected and changing world. With continued innovation and strengthening the partnership between science and practical application, this approach has the potential to transform conservation efforts and provide lasting benefits for both nature and people.