Module 3

Mapping & Monitoring Habitat Loss

 Session 5: Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Prioritization

• Biodiversity conservation cannot be considered

easy, and establishing priorities is complex.

• Conservation priority setting seeks to identify

where, how, on what, and/or when we should
act first to conserve biodiversity efficiently

• Assumption: we cannot do everything everywhere

at once.
 Session 4: Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Prioritization
Biodiversity loss is irreversible and
accelerating.

Conservation resources are limited, so

prioritization is essential.

Why Conservation Biodiversity is unevenly distributed; some

Prioritization Matters areas are far richer and more threatened.

Note.. The hotspot prioritisation does not

mean that less threatened areas are written
off; rather, it prioritises highly biodiverse
areas for attention.
 Session 4: Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Prioritization

K ey selection Criteria for biodiversity Hotspot Conservation Areas

Criterion Description Application

Prioritizes areas with threatened or

Measures the degree to which
endangered species, such as rhinos
Vulnerability species or ecosystems are at risk
affected by habitat loss or forest
of extinction or degradation.
facing deforestation.

Assesses how unique or critical Focuses on endemic species,

Irreplaceability a site is for maintaining global restricted-range ecosystems, or sites
biodiversity. with rare ecological processes.

Evaluates the financial

Helps balance ecological value with
implications of conserving a
Economic Cost budget constraints, guiding cost-
site, including opportunity costs
effective conservation investments.
and management expenses.
 Session 4: Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Prioritization

Application in conservation mapping

• Overlay species vulnerability data (e.g., IUCN

Red List) with habitat maps.

• Use irreplaceability scores to highlight sites with

endemic or functionally unique species.

• Incorporate cost layers (e.g., land acquisition,

restoration costs) to guide investment decisions.
 Session 4: Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Prioritization

Global Framework s using the Criteria

• K ey B iodiversity Areas (K B As): Sites are
selected based on criteria like threatened
biodiversity, ecological integrity, and
irreplaceability LINK.
• Systematic Conservation Planning: Uses
spatial prioritization tools to optimize site
selection based on biodiversity value and
cost-efficiency.
• Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
(CEPF): Use the criteria to identify
biodiversity hotspots and allocate funding.
Abbott's Starling (Arizelopsar femoralis)
Endangered
Range (Kenya Tanzania)
 Session 4:
Conservation Measuring the effectiveness of current conservation efforts
Effectiveness
• Conservation effectiveness: the degree to which conservation
efforts achieve their intended outcomes, e.g, protecting a
biodiversity hotspot habitat
• Photo Goes Here
• Effectively conserved and protected areas are recognized as • Photo Goes Here
• Photo Goes Here
critical instruments in achieving the objectives of the Convention
• Photo Goes Here
on Biological Diversity (CBD) • Photo Goes Here
• Photo Goes Here
• Photo Goes Here
• Importance of Measuring Conservation Effectiveness: • Photo Goes Here
• Photo Goes Here
• Ensures accountability and informs adaptive management.

• Optimize resource allocation

• Highlight successes

• Identifies gaps
 Session 4:
Conservation Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Effectiveness

Indicators for Conservation Effectiveness

– Ecological Indicators:
• Changes in population sizes of key species.
• Habitat restoration rates and extent.
• Reduction in deforestation or poaching incidents.
– Social and Economic Indicators:
• Levels of community engagement and benefit-sharing.
• Economic returns from sustainable practices (e.g.,
ecotourism, sustainable agriculture).
– Policy Indicators:
• Integration of conservation plans into policy frameworks.
• Compliance with international agreements like GBF Targets.
 Session 4:
Conservation Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Effectiveness

Conservation Effectiveness Decision Support Tools

• PAME-Protected Area Management Effectiveness- PA evaluations

• To assist in making the right decisions for the effective conservation of

biodiversity hotspots, leverage existing assessment tools and methodologies

• Choose the right tool depending on the need, scope, expertise, skill or
resources available

• GD PAME tracks assessment done on PAs within World Database on Protected

Areas (WDPA). LINK

• BIOPAMA curated list of PAME TOOLS. LINK

 Session 4:
Conservation Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Effectiveness

IMET – Integrated Management Effectiveness tool

• Supports the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of Protected areas to improve
management and ensure achievement of conservation objectives
– Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), Locally-Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs),
Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs), Community Forests, etc., Community Forests, etc., and
in buffer areas of Protected Areas

• It is participatory and relies on the results of the analysis of adaptive management of

protected areas

• Results of the assessment are visualized in real time, which enhances participatory
decision–making
 Session 4:
Conservation Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Effectiveness
Sample Analysis of IMET Results
 Session 4: Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Prioritization

Challenges in Conservation Effectiveness • Photo Goes Here

Evaluation • Photo Goes Here
• Attribution: Difficult to link outcomes directly to • Photo Goes Here
• Photo Goes Here
specific actions. • Photo Goes Here
• Data Gaps: Limited or inconsistent monitoring • Photo Goes Here
• Photo Goes Here
data. • Photo Goes Here
• Complex ity: Ecosystems are dynamic and • Photo Goes Here
influenced by multiple variables.
 Session 4: Identifying areas for immediate conservation intervention
Prioritization

Opportunity in Conservation Effectiveness Assessment

• Mainstreaming IMET into National Planning and Reporting for Enhanced Management of Protected and
Conserved Areas

• Integrate IMET training into national conservation curricula and capacity-building programs.

• Leverage IMET for policy advocacy and funding by using results to demonstrate management
effectiveness to policymakers and potential funders, strengthening the case for sustained conservation
investment.
 Thank you

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Regional Centre of Excellence - RCoE

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Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) for Biodiversity, Forests

and Seascape Ecosystems Management

Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) - ESA