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An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm

2017/01/30 by Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, David M. Olson +57 · 2,438 citations
Environmental Science · #Archaeology #Biology #Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management #Ecology #Ecoregion #Geography #Realm

paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014

published in BioScience 67(6), 534-545 (Oxford University Press)

openalex publication_date 2017/01/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

We assess progress toward the protection of 50% of the terrestrial biosphere to address the species-extinction crisis and conserve a global ecological heritage for future generations. Using a map of Earth's 846 terrestrial ecoregions, we show that 98 ecoregions (12%) exceed Half Protected; 313 ecoregions (37%) fall short of Half Protected but have sufficient unaltered habitat remaining to reach the target; and 207 ecoregions (24%) are in peril, where an average of only 4% of natural habitat remains. We propose a Global Deal for Nature-a companion to the Paris Climate Deal-to promote increased habitat protection and restoration, national- and ecoregion-scale conservation strategies, and the empowerment of indigenous peoples to protect their sovereign lands. The goal of such an accord would be to protect half the terrestrial realm by 2050 to halt the extinction crisis while sustaining human livelihoods.

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