Global Safety Net
Conservation Imperatives

Conservation Imperatives

Securing the Last Unprotected Terrestrial Sites Harboring Irreplaceable Biodiversity

This groundbreaking study, published in Frontiers in Science, presents an affordable, achievable plan to safeguard Earth’s remaining biodiversity by conserving just over one percent of the planet’s surface. Co-authored by an international team of conservation experts from 20 prestigious institutions, the study identifies and maps 16,825 critical biodiversity havens, called ‘Conservation Imperatives,’ that cover just 1.2% of the Earth’s land but are home to rare and currently unprotected plant and animal species. Protecting these sites is crucial for preventing the extinction of thousands of rare species. 

One Earth and Resolve recently hosted a webinar discussion to present key findings from the study. Watch a recording of the webinar below:  

 

Key Takeaways

  • Strategic Anchor Points: Conservation Imperatives can be strategic ‘anchor points’ in the global efforts to protect 30% of Earth by 2030.
  • Minimal Land Required: Protecting these critical areas requires conserving only about 164 million hectares globally, which is just 1.2% of the Earth’s land and 0.74% of tropical lands.
  • Cost-Effective: Preserving these key areas is feasible and cost-effective, especially in the tropics, with an estimated cost of US$169 billion over five years—which is just 0.03% of Global GDP.
  • Proximity to Protected Areas: 38% are found near existing protected areas, facilitating easier conservation efforts.
  • Indigenous Territories: 17% are within Indigenous territories, underscoring the importance of upholding and strengthening Indigenous land rights for long-term conservation success.

Protecting these Conservation Imperatives sites must be urgently prioritized as global leaders work towards the 30x30 conservation target—a critical milestone toward the goal of protecting, connecting, and restoring 50% of the Earth’s lands and oceans within a Global Safety Net.

The Conservation Imperatives study is the most recent in a series of reports developed by the Global Safety Net initiative—a collaboration of leading academic institutions and conservation experts led by One Earth and RESOLVE, which provides cutting-edge research to support decision-makers at all levels. The GSN maps the entire world across thirteen layers of global biodiversity data. This data can be explored through our interactive map application. 

Explore the Global Safety Net Interactive Map >>

Global mapping of Conservation Imperatives, the last-remaining habitats for rare, range-restricted, and threatened species outside of protected areas.

Frontiers in Science Hub

The paper is featured as one of a small group of Frontiers in Science Lead Articles for 2024, selected from across their 220 scientific journals. As such, it will be an open-access paper with its own multimedia article hub: Conservation Imperatives for biodiversity protection. The hub features visual explainers and lead commentaries from eminent experts, including Prof. David Lindenmayer (Australian National University), Rita El Zaghloul (High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People), Dr. Charles Barber (World Resources Institute), and Dr. Hugh Possingham (University of Queensland).


What natural heritage will we bequeath to future generations? A healthy, vibrant Earth is critical for us to pass on. We need to protect half the planet to draw down carbon, safeguard intact habitats, protect wide-ranging and migratory species and other conservation targets outlined in the Global Biodiversity Framework. But as the most urgent step towards the GBF, we have to head off the extinction crisis. Conservation Imperatives charts the way forward. — Dr. Eric Dinerstein, RESOLVE


  • Elon Musk could avert global species extinction with only a portion of his wealth — Mongabay  
  • Protecting just 1.2% of Earth’s land could save most-threatened species, says study — The Guardian
  • Study shows saving just over 1% of land could stop extinction of thousands of species: 'We have to be doing a much better job' — Yahoo! News
  • Scientists identify safe havens to prevent ‘the sixth great extinction’ of life on Earth — Illuminem
  • Mass extinctions can be prevented by protecting key sites — Earth.org

Conservation Imperatives is a critical layer of the Global Safety Net, a public benefit initiative. We rely on the generous support of our community to advance conservation science. For questions or additional information please contact Kate Thomas at [email protected].