What Conservation Does. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Godet, Laurent; Devictor, Vincent
• Is Part Of: Trends in ecology & evolution. Volume 33:Number 10(2018)
• Page Start: 720
• Page End: 730
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: biodiversity -- crisis -- inefficiency -- new conservation -- pessimism -- traditional conservation; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5347

Abstract

Abstract : New agendas for conservation are regularly proposed based on the ground that existing strategies are overly pessimistic, restricted to biodiversity hotspots, and inappropriate to halt biodiversity loss. However, little empirical evidence supports such claims. Here we review the 12 971 papers published in the leading conservation journals during the last 15 years to assess what conservation actually does. Although conservation research is affected by specific bias, conservation is playing a major role in providing empirical evidence of human impacts on biodiversity. Encouraging biodiversity comebacks are also published and a wide range of conservation tools, beyond the development of protected areas in wilderness areas, are promoted. We argue that finding new routes to conservation is neither necessary nor sufficient to halt biodiversity loss. Highlights: We test how conservation documents biodiversity status, threats, and solutions. Many threats to biodiversity are reported as well as some taxonomic bias. However, biodiversity comebacks are documented as well as effective conservation tools. New routes to conservation are neither necessary nor sufficient to halt biodiversity loss.