The current biodiversity crisis requires action to protect species and ecosystems, and billions of dollars are invested annually in global conservation. A new set of global and national targets are seeking to re-shape our efforts toward a nature-positive future. However, biodiversity continue to decline across multiple metrics. Are conservation efforts working? This talks presents the results of a global meta-analysis of 186 studies (including 665 trials) that measured biodiversity over time and compared outcomes under conservation action with a suitable counterfactual of no action. It finds that in two-thirds of cases, conservation either improved the state of biodiversity or at least slowed declines. Specifically, we found that interventions targeted at species and ecosystems, such as invasive species control, habitat loss reduction and restoration, protected areas, and sustainable management, are highly effective and have large effect sizes. This provides the strongest evidence to date that conservation actions are successful but require transformational scaling up to meet global targets.

About the Speaker

Rosie Cooney is Adjunct Associate Professor with the Fenner School of Environment and Society, with a number of active research collaborations. She is Senior Director with the Office of Nature Conservation at ACT Government, where she leads a team responsible for conservation science, policy, and strategic programs, working closely with land managers, community, and research institutions. Rosie’s interests are in biodiversity conservation and its interface with human societies and needs, with a particular interest in indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ rights/livelihoods. She has particular current engagements in conservation policy, climate adaptation for nature, frameworks to achieve nature-positive outcomes, and supporting the engagement of traditional custodians in conservation and land management. She has previously worked extensively on sustainable use of wild resources, community wildlife management, wildlife trade and its regulation, poaching and wildlife crime, the precautionary principle, and biodiversity governance and policy generally. Rosie has over 25 years' experience in international and national conservation research, analysis, and policy development and has worked for leading international conservation organisations in collaboration with colleagues across the globe, including seven years as Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi). Rosie has held a number of international advisory and leadership appointments, including as Biodiversity Adviser on the Global Environment Facility’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel; has acted as an independent consultant to governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and carried out research and teaching in a number of university appointments.