The largest ever study of protected areas – places "set aside" ostensibly for nature – has revealed that most do not actively benefit wildlife.
Scientists examined the impact of 1,500 protected areas in 68 countries, focusing their analysis on wetlands and waterbirds. They found that, in terms of how wildlife fared, success varied hugely around the world and depended a great deal on how an area was managed.
The study found that how animals fared in protected areas varied hugely around the world and depended on how an area was managed (Les Bunyan).
The study was published in Nature. Its authors say that habitats need to be managed effectively in ways that provide a boost for nature.
"There need to be rules in place and restoration," said lead researcher Dr Hannah Wauchope, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at University of Exeter. "We can't just draw a line around an area and say, 'you can't build a car park here'."
Dr Wauchope explained that the study used population trends of wetland birds as a measure of the success of a protected area, which can be anything from an area of outstanding natural beauty to a carefully managed nature reserve.
She and her colleagues also compared sites before and after they were officially protected, and compared the trends of similar bird populations inside and outside protected areas. "In the majority of places we looked, wildlife populations were still stable or were increasing, but they weren't doing any better than in unprotected areas," she told BBC News.
"That's disappointing, but not surprising. There seems to be this disconnect between people talking about how much land is protected and whether those areas are actually doing anything positive."
Reference
Wauchope H et al. 2021. Protected areas have a mixed impact on waterbirds, but management helps. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04617-0
