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An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm

BioScience · 2017 · Vol. 67(6) · pp. 534–545

Eric Dinerstein✉(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)David M. Olson(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Anup R. Joshi(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Carly Vynne(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Neil D. Burgess(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Eric Wikramanayake(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Nathan Hahn(University of Maryland, College Park)Suzanne Palminteri(University of Maryland, College Park)Prashant Hedao(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Reed F. Noss(University of Maryland, College Park)Matt Hansen(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Harvey Locke(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Erle C. Ellis(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Benjamin Jones(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Charles Victor Barber(University of Maryland, College Park)Randy Hayes(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Cyril Kormos(University of Maryland, College Park)Vance Martin(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Eileen Crist(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Wes Sechrest(University of Maryland, College Park)Lori Price(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Jonathan Baillie(University of Maryland, College Park)Don Weeden(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Kierán Suckling(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Crystal Davis(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Nigel Sizer(University of Maryland, College Park)Rebecca Moore(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)David Thau(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Tanya Birch(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Peter Potapov(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Svetlana Turubanova(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Alexandra Tyukavina(University of Maryland, College Park)Nadia de Souza(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Lilian Pintea(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)José Carlos Brito(University of Maryland, College Park)Othman Llewellyn(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Anthony G. Miller(University of Maryland, College Park)Annette Patzelt(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Shahina A. Ghazanfar(University of Maryland, College Park)Jonathan Timberlake(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)H. Klöser(University of Maryland, College Park)Yara Shennan‐Farpón(University of Maryland, College Park)Roeland Kindt(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Jens‐Peter Barnekow Lillesø(University of Maryland, College Park)Paulo van Breugel(University of Maryland, College Park)Lars Graudal(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Maianna Voge(University of Maryland, Baltimore County)Khalaf F. Al‐Shammari(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)Muhammad Saleem(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

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Abstract

We assess progress toward the protection of 50% of the terrestrial biosphere to address the species-extinction crisis and conserve a global ecological heritage for future generations. Using a map of Earth's 846 terrestrial ecoregions, we show that 98 ecoregions (12%) exceed Half Protected; 313 ecoregions (37%) fall short of Half Protected but have sufficient unaltered habitat remaining to reach the target; and 207 ecoregions (24%) are in peril, where an average of only 4% of natural habitat remains. We propose a Global Deal for Nature-a companion to the Paris Climate Deal-to promote increased habitat protection and restoration, national- and ecoregion-scale conservation strategies, and the empowerment of indigenous peoples to protect their sovereign lands. The goal of such an accord would be to protect half the terrestrial realm by 2050 to halt the extinction crisis while sustaining human livelihoods.

Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource ManagementEcoregionRealmGeographyEcologyBiologyArchaeology