Enhancing the Effectiveness of Protected Areas through Spatial Prioritization
Abstract ID: 3.11438 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | TBA | TBA
Qi Lai (0)
Beierkuhnlein, Carl (1,2,3,4)
Qi Lai ((0) Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitaetsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Bayern, DE)
Beierkuhnlein, Carl (1,2,3,4)
(0) Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitaetsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Bayern, DE
(1) Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitaetsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Bayern, DE
(2) Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Universitaetsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Bayern, DE
(3) Geographical Institute of the University of Bayreuth (GIB), Universitaetsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Bayern, DE
(4) Departamento de Botánica, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
(2) Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Universitaetsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Bayern, DE
(3) Geographical Institute of the University of Bayreuth (GIB), Universitaetsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Bayern, DE
(4) Departamento de Botánica, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity, particularly in vulnerable regions such as mountain ecosystems, where protected areas (PAs) play a critical role in conserving unique and sensitive habitats. Our research examines how shifts in climate patterns affect the spatial distribution of biodiversity, revealing the susceptibility of these PAs to climate-driven changes. Using climate change velocity as a tool, we identify critical zones where species are likely to experience rapid and unprecedented rates of habitat transformation.
The effectiveness of PAs is increasingly challenged by environmental change, anthropogenic pressures, and climate-driven habitat shifts. While nature-based solutions (NbS) are recognized for enhancing ecosystem resilience, the integration of adaptive management and spatial prioritization strategies is equally crucial for improving PA management. Our research explores spatial prioritization methods that combine climate change velocity with high-resolution environmental data to identify biodiversity hotspots, refugia, and vulnerable areas, particularly in mountain regions, where rapid climate shifts exacerbate conservation challenges.
We highlight that traditional, static protected area boundaries are often misaligned with shifting species distributions and ecological processes, underscoring the need for dynamic conservation strategies. By analyzing PAs in different biogeographical regions and their resilience to climate change, we demonstrate the importance of adaptive strategies that extend beyond static boundaries.
With increasing access to geospatial data, remote sensing, and global biodiversity repositories, conservation planning can now be more precise and adaptive. We propose leveraging these tools to enhance PA networks, ensuring their long-term ecological functionality while balancing conservation goals with societal needs. Integrating NbS, improving connectivity, and strengthening adaptive management practices are essential steps toward making PAs more climate-resilient. These insights reinforce conservation efforts in mountain regions and beyond, ensuring that PAs remain effective in protecting biodiversity under a rapidly changing climate.
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