Title
Redefining and mapping global irreplaceability
Author(s)
Baisero, D.; Schuster, R.; Plumptre, A. J.
Published
2022
Publisher
Conservation Biology
Abstract
Irreplaceability is a concept that describes how close a site is to being essential for achieving conservation targets. Currently available methods for measuring irreplaceability are based on representative combinations of sites, giving them an ‘extrinsic’ nature, and exponential computational requirements. Surrogate measures based on efficiency (complementarity) are often used as alternatives, but were never intended for this purpose and are known not to measure irreplaceability. Current approaches used to estimate irreplaceability possess key limitations in their application and use. Some of these are a result of the tools used, but some are due to the nature of the current definition of irreplaceability. We identified 5 key axioms that irreplaceability measures should adhere to in order to be stable and useful for conservation purposes, and that resolve these limitations. We present a robust method for measuring a site's proximity to irreplaceability that adheres to these requirements, and use it to develop the first systematic global map of irreplaceability using data for terrestrial vertebrates (n = 29,837 species, >1 million grid cells). We estimate that at least 3.5% of land surface is highly irreplaceable, with 47.6% of highly irreplaceable cells contained in just 12 countries. More generous thresholds identify greater portions of land surface that would still be realistic to protect under current global objectives. Irreplaceable sites should form a critical component of any global conservation plan and should be part of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's post2020 Global Biodiversity Framework strategy, forming part of the 30% protection by 2030 target that is gaining support. The reliable identification of irreplaceable sites will be crucial if we are to halt extinctions.
Keywords
biodiversity; conservation planning; future proof; global; irreplaceability; robust; systematic conservation planning; vertebrates
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.
![]()
Back
PUB26603