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Making robust policy decisions using global biodiversity indicators
Citation
Nicholson, E and Collen, B and Barausse, A and Blanchard, JL and Costelloe, BT and Sullivan, KME and Underwood, FM and Burn, RW and Fritz, S and Jones, JPG and McRae, L and Possingham, HP and Milner-Gulland, EJ, Making robust policy decisions using global biodiversity indicators, PLoS One, 7, (7) Article e41128. ISSN 1932-6203 (2012) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
DOI: doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0041128
Abstract
In order to influence global policy effectively, conservation scientists need to be able to provide robust predictions of the
impact of alternative policies on biodiversity and measure progress towards goals using reliable indicators. We present a
framework for using biodiversity indicators predictively to inform policy choices at a global level. The approach is illustrated
with two case studies in which we project forwards the impacts of feasible policies on trends in biodiversity and in relevant
indicators. The policies are based on targets agreed at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Nagoya in
October 2010. The first case study compares protected area policies for African mammals, assessed using the Red List Index;
the second example uses the Living Planet Index to assess the impact of a complete halt, versus a reduction, in bottom
trawling. In the protected areas example, we find that the indicator can aid in decision-making because it is able to
differentiate between the impacts of the different policies. In the bottom trawling example, the indicator exhibits some
counter-intuitive behaviour, due to over-representation of some taxonomic and functional groups in the indicator, and
contrasting impacts of the policies on different groups caused by trophic interactions. Our results support the need for
further research on how to use predictive models and indicators to credibly track trends and inform policy. To be useful and
relevant, scientists must make testable predictions about the impact of global policy on biodiversity to ensure that targets
such as those set at Nagoya catalyse effective and measurable change.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | global biodiversity indicators |
| Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
| Research Group: | Ecological applications |
| Research Field: | Ecosystem function |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
| Objective Field: | Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems |
| UTAS Author: | Blanchard, JL (Dr Julia Blanchard) |
| ID Code: | 100486 |
| Year Published: | 2012 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 52 |
| Deposited By: | Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration |
| Deposited On: | 2015-05-18 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
| Downloads: | 592 View Download Statistics |
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