Beyond national parks: Researchers explore a broader future for conservation

As world leaders prepare to convene in Armenia for the United Nations Biodiversity Summit, researchers are shedding light on an innovative conservation approach that extends beyond traditional protected areas. Called other effective area-based conservation measures, or OECMs, these zones play a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity, even when conservation isn't their main goal.

A recent study from leading universities like the University of Exeter and the University of Kent examines the growing significance of OECMs in global conservation policy. The research, featured in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, highlights how these areas can help countries meet the ambitious 30 by 30 target of conserving at least 30% of the planet's land, inland waters, coastal regions, and oceans by 2030.

Lead author Catherine Wensink emphasizes that countries have already begun implementing OECMs, bypassing lengthy global debates. The review showcases how a global conservation concept can translate into practical reality on small, biodiverse islands like those in the Caribbean. Effective governance, respect for local rights, resilience to climate change, and evidence of ecological benefits are key factors in ensuring OECMs deliver lasting conservation gains.

The researchers caution that recognizing an area as an OCM is merely the beginning; without clear responsibilities, adequate support, and documented ecological outcomes, the designation might simply remain a symbolic gesture. Co-author Julia E. Fa stresses that successful OECMs must cultivate local stewardship, uphold decision-making authority, and demonstrate that biodiversity is thriving.

The study also delves into the geopolitical implications of OECMs and the potential for new technologies to monitor ecosystems and species. As climate change reshapes habitats and wildlife distributions, assessing whether conservation benefits can persist becomes crucial. By identifying existing places where biodiversity thrives and supporting their stewards, OECMs could play a pivotal role in advancing global conservation goals while strengthening the bond between people and the environments upon which they depend.