Continuous growth of human footprint risks compromising the benefits of protected areas on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

• DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02053
• Publication Date: 2022-02-09T17:10:26Z
• Authors: Ting Hua; Wenwu Zhao; Francesco Cherubini; Xiangping Hu; Paulo Pereira
• Keywords: Footprint

Protected areas (PAs) are the critical societal tool to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services (ESs), but human disturbances frequently threaten them. Here, we used multiple data sources map footprint as a proxy for identifying intensity of activities on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau therein nature reserves (NRs, primary category PAs in China). We found that has increased by 22% since 2000, average, pressure inside NRs was 60% lower than outside. However, identified majority NRs, with only 30% protected land free from any measurable pressure. From total 53 28 showed over 10% increase footprint, 6 had 70% their extent under intense (human score≥4). Furthermore, higher proportion ESs is subjected high levels therefore at risk, particularly soil water retention. The applied regression model revealed large more resilient longer establishment. continuous may hinder current future supply. Our analysis shows evidence-based results promote mitigation pressures PAs.