One-third of the world’s protected areas have been degraded

Scientists report that more than 30 percent of the. protected areas around the world are being destroyed by human activity. The obligations of the Convention on Biological Diversity are being met by only a handful of countries out of 168 signatories.

The shocking study conducted by the scientistów from the University of Queensland, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the University of Northern British Columbia confirms that one-third of areaóin the globally protected – about 2.3 million kilometersów square (an area twice the size of Alaska) – has been degraded by human activity, including the construction of dróg, cattle grazing or urbanization. The results of the study appeared in the journal „Science”.

The study was a test of how countries are meeting their obligations under the Convention on róbiodiversity. Signatories have pledged to create by 2020 on 17 percent of their surface area „effectively managed and ecologically representative” areaóin the protected.

Since 1992. world range of areaóin protected has roughly doubled and covers more than 15 percent of the land area. Although management goals are róThe world’s biodiversity, ranging from strict areaóin conservation róbiodiversity by zones that allow some human activity and zrósustainable resource extractionów, the primary goal of all areaóin protected is wildlife conservation.

According to the analysis of scientistsów, 32.8 percent of the areaóin protected is highly degraded. The authors of the publication warn that the goals of the Convention will be seriously undermined if widespread human pressure continues in protected areas.

– Well-preserved area networkóin protected areas is essential for saving species ofów, and if we allow it to degrade, there is no doubt that róbiodiversity will deteriorate – said the head of theówny author of the article Kendall Jones of the University of Queensland.

The study shows that governments are overestimating the space available for nature in protected areas. Authorities claim these sites are protected for nature’s sake, when in fact this is not the case. It is a mainlyówny powód, for whichórego takeóhe diversity is still in catastrophic decline, despite the fact that more and more groundów is "protected".

„It is important for nations to appreciate the profound conservation benefits które can be achieved through modernization and reconstruction of degraded areasóin protected while respecting the needs of the local population” – the authors point out.

The most degraded of these areasów are located in Asia, Europe and Africa, places with huge human populations. But the study also brings good news: areas of strict protection are subject to much lower levels of human pressure.

– We know that protected areas work well when they are well-funded, well-managed and well-distributed, then they are extremely effective in deterring threats, które cause the loss of róBiodiversity and ensure the return ofót speciesóin from the brink of extinction. There is róAlso many areaóin protected, które are still in good condition and protect the last strongholds of endangered speciesów. The challenge is to improve the management of these protected areas, które are most valuable for nature conservation to ensure their protection – pointed out Professor James Watson of WCS and the University of Queensland, coóresearch.

The study shows that the conditions set by the Convention on róThe 1992 Biodiversity Guidelines are fully complied with by only 37 countries sposród 168 signatories of the document.