A5039851923- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Marine and fisheries research
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Forest Management and Policy
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Arctic and Russian Policy Studies
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration
- Marine animal studies overview
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Mining and Resource Management
- Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Social Sciences and Policies
Wildlife Conservation Society United Kingdom
2019-2025
Virginia Tech
2025
The University of Texas at Austin
2025
Wildlife Conservation Society
2018-2024
The University of Queensland
2015-2020
Environmental Earth Sciences
2018-2019
Hudson Institute
2019
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2019
Australian Research Council
2015-2016
ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions
2015-2016
Abstract Human pressures on the environment are changing spatially and temporally, with profound implications for planet’s biodiversity human economies. Here we use recently available data infrastructure, land cover access into natural areas to construct a globally standardized measure of cumulative footprint terrestrial at 1 km 2 resolution from 1993 2009. We note that while population has increased by 23% world economy grown 153%, just 9%. Still, 75% surface is experiencing measurable...
In an era of massive biodiversity loss, the greatest conservation success story has been growth protected land globally. Protected areas are primary defense against but extensive human activity within their boundaries can undermine this. Using most comprehensive global map pressure, we show that 6 million square kilometers (32.8%) is under intense pressure. For designated before Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified in 1992, 55% have since experienced pressure increases. These...
Remotely-sensed and bottom-up survey information were compiled on eight variables measuring the direct indirect human pressures environment globally in 1993 2009. This represents not only most current of its type, but also first temporally-consistent set Human Footprint maps. Data acquired or developed for: 1) built environments, 2) population density, 3) electric infrastructure, 4) crop lands, 5) pasture 6) roads, 7) railways, 8) navigable waterways. Pressures then overlaid to create...
Abstract Anthropogenic conversion of natural habitats is the greatest threat to biodiversity and one primary reasons for establishing protected areas (PAs). Here, we show that PA establishment outpaced habitat between 1993 2009 across all biomes majority ( n = 567, 71.4%) ecoregions globally. However, high historic rates meant 447 (56.2%) still exhibit a ratio protection, these, 127 (15.9%) experienced further increases in this 2009. We identify 41 “crisis ecoregions” 45 countries where...
Ambitious conservation efforts are needed to stop the global biodiversity crisis. In this study, we estimate minimum land area secure important areas, ecologically intact and optimal locations for representation of species ranges ecoregions. We discover that at least 64 million square kilometers (44% terrestrial area) would require attention (ranging from protected areas land-use policies) meet goal. More than 1.8 billion people live on these lands, so responses promote autonomy,...
Many global environmental agendas, including halting biodiversity loss, reversing land degradation, and limiting climate change, depend upon retaining forests with high ecological integrity, yet the scale degree of forest modification remain poorly quantified mapped. By integrating data on observed inferred human pressures an index lost connectivity, we generate a globally consistent, continuous condition as determined by anthropogenic modification. Globally, only 17.4 million km2 (40.5%)...
Many nations use ecological compensation policies to address negative impacts of development projects and achieve No Net Loss (NNL) biodiversity ecosystem services. Yet, failures are widely reported. We spatial simulation models quantify potential net alternative on (indicated by native vegetation) two services (carbon storage, sediment retention) across four case studies (in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Mozambique). policy achieves NNL in any study. Two factors limit their success: the...
Despite global policy commitments to preserve Earth's marine biodiversity, many species are in a state of decline. Using data on 22,885 species, we identify 8.5 million km2 priority areas that complement existing conservation and biodiversity importance. New priorities found over half (56%) all coastal nations, including key regions the northwest Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean. We where different actions, ranging from protected broader approaches, might best overcome anthropogenic threats...
Abstract Global areal protection targets have driven a dramatic expansion of the marine protected area (MPA) estate. We analyzed how cost‐effective global MPA has been since inception first target (set in 1982) achieving ecoregional representation. By comparing spatial patterns against optimal estates using same rates, we show current estate is both expensive and ineffective. Although number ecoregions represented tripled 12.7% national waters was protected, 61% 81% countries are not 10%...
Humanity must adapt rapidly to climate change as the impacts accelerate. Growing scientific evidence underscores role of ecological integrity in improving adaptation outcomes for nature and people by providing refugia biodiversity, buffering natural hazards, protecting freshwater resources, benefiting human health. However, initiatives have largely neglected prioritize integrity, even though it is critical effective achieving global conservation goals. Here, we highlight how biodiversity...
Fish biomass is a primary driver of coral reef ecosystem services and has high sensitivity to human disturbances, particularly fishing. Estimates fish biomass, their spatial distribution, recovery potential are important for evaluating status crucial setting management targets. Here we modeled estimates across all reefs the western Indian Ocean using key variables that predicted empirical data collected from 337 sites. These were used create time maps prioritize spatially explicit...
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a critical defense against biodiversity loss in the world's oceans, but to realize near-term conservation benefits, they must be established where major threats occur and can mitigated. We quantified degree which MPA establishment has targeted stoppable (i.e., that abated through effectively managed MPAs alone) by combining spatially explicit marine threat data 2008 2013 information on location potential of halt threats. calculated an impact metric determine...
Abstract Targeting degraded areas in forested landscapes for restoration could deliver rapid climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation, improve resilience of lands to future change, potentially reduce the trade‐offs between nature recovery agriculture. Although importance forest is acknowledged, current estimates its potential may be underestimated because they focus predominantly on reforesting cleared areas. We built recent analyses integrity unrealized biomass examine restoring...
Basin-wide cooperation is crucial for cost-effective conservation of river Nile biodiversity.
Abstract We assess the magnitude and extent of recent change significant human footprint within protected areas, key biodiversity areas habitat range 308 lowland forest specialist birds in Sundaland, a global hotspot Southeast Asia. Using most dataset, we find that 70% Sundaland has been heavily modified by humans. This represents 55% increase under intense pressure since 1993. Areas covered on average 50% 78% each area 38% birds. The results imply actual level protection is only one‐third...
Abstract Symbiotic host-associated microbial communities are nearly ubiquitous and often essential to host growth development. The assembly of these on hosts is the result a combination processes selection, dispersal, drift. For some species, symbionts quickly acquired from environment during embryonic development, while others may vertically acquire parents. amphibians with complex life cycles that undergo metamorphosis, an additional physiological transition larval adult forms represent...
Decision making for the conservation and management of coral reef biodiversity requires an understanding spatial variability distribution habitat types. Despite existence very high-resolution remote sensing technology nearly two decades, comprehensive assessment habitats at national to regional scales high resolution is still scarce. Here, we develop benthic maps a sub-national scale by analyzing large multispectral QuickBird imagery dataset covering ~686 km2 main shallow fringing along...