Science-based
approaches forconservation
prioritisation andtarget setting
Alice. C. Hughes
University of Hong Kong

Success will depend on data

Setting targets-do we have the data?

7060504030• To develop meaningful and effective targets we need toknow what diversity and endemism (as well as threat) look
like, and to rely on these we need to test that the data meets
our needs and can provide the information necessary fortarget generation• For example, 90% of data in major biodiversity data iswithin 2km of a road, and undersamples the most diverse
regions, with overall under 4% of the worlds land covered• In addition other datasets also have inherent biases that
impact on priorities generated• Assessing these biases and their implications is crucial fordeveloping effective management solutions
repmambirdamp
Actinopterygii
Annelida
Arachnida
Elasmobranchii
Cnidaria
Gast
Mala

20
100

d0

d1000

d2500

d5000

Setting targets-the need for data

Hughes, A.C., Orr, M.C., Qinmin, Y., Qiao, H., (2021) Effectively and accurately mapping global
biodiversity patterns for different regions and taxa. Global Ecology and Biogeography.

Baselines• Understanding the data
• Does the data allow us to develop priorities?
No, data is full of gaps, especially in Asia, and where data
does exist it’s biased to afew taxa and to developed areas• Is there an alternative source of reliable data?
Not really, range maps are not always representative, andhave demonstrable biases• How about those impressive numbers in global reports• Unfortunately these are based on non-standardized
inconsistent data due to a lack of monitoring• We need to collate better and more representative data tounderstand where species areMeasuring diversity across scales• If point data is biased, and polygon data iswrong-how do we proceed?
• Understanding the data we have and its limits
is likely to be essential in usefully applied formonitoring and management• So what other data is there, and how can weuse it?

Using data to enable change• Often around ¾ of data is US• Whilst metrics can overcome some of thesebiases (such as Hill numbers)- careful work
is needed to distinguish and map patterns

Converting data into policy
Drivers differ byregion, but tree coverand NPP is almost
universally good• Mapping priorities depend on data, but evensatisfying basic requirements can bechallenging• However, understanding patterns anddisaggregating data bias and pattern is criticalTarget setting
Exploring synergies between biodiversity and carbon across scales

Complementarities
between conventions
can exist but mustbe treated withcaution

Multiple methods
will be needed
Zhu L., Hughes, A.C.*, Zhao, X.Q., Zhou, L.J, Ma, K.P., Shen, X.L., Li, S., Liu., M.Z, Watson, J. (2021). Regional scalable priorities for national biodiversity and carbon
conservation planning in Asia. Science AdvancesEcological and conservation redlines• Redlines and pathways
Based on high resolution data we can green
development planning to balance service
provision with need• Greening development planning• Identifying different impacts and sensitivities
on major development initiatives• Zoning and holistic planningServices and value• Ecosystem services and Payment forecosystem services provides another means toprioritise systems and obtain funds to protectthem

New database with over 5000 bat-plant interactions used to model service provision and interactions
Garibaldi, L. A., Oddi, F. J., Miguez, F. E., Bartomeus, I., Orr, M. C., Jobbágy, E. G.,Hughes., A.C ... & Abramson, G. (2020).
Working landscapes need at least 20% native habitat. Conservation Letters, e12773.

Populations at risk

Rhinolophids (and someother genera) carry
Beta-CoVs and likely
do across the old-world
So far South ChinaGMS has seen the most
SARS-Like CoVs

Implementing change• Conservation policy can only be implemented if it
is translated into an appropriate context• Social cultural components are needed in any
suggested solution to conservation andmanagement• Providing solutions within appropriate for a andaccessible language is also needed• Priorities need a firm foundation of data, andinclude risk assessment• We also need caution to not use data beyond itslimits

Building on Synergies• Biodiversity must be part of the solution, andrather than Billion-tree tsunamis, and great-green
walls we must prioritize protecting, then restoring
native systems• Conventions must work in synergy to maximise
benefits• Better data is needed for targets, but targets mustalso reflect human needs and pathways toimplementation• Impact assessment, and monitoring also need tobe more rigorous and use data better

Moving forwards• We have seven years until the end of the time
period to achieve the 2030 targets, and toprepare ourselves for the 2050 vision• To be ready for this point we need a clearer
understanding of the impact of threats as abaseline for management• Furthermore we need better data to clearly
understand patterns of diversity as a basis fortargets• Additionally we need better integration
between targets and conventions to reduce
tradeoffs and increase synergies

Thank you