What works to improve species conservation state? An analysis of species whose state has improved and the actions responsible

Abstract

Understanding the consequences of past conservation efforts is essential to inform the means of maintaining and restoring species. Data from the IUCN Red List for 67,217 comprehensively assessed animal species were reviewed and analysed to determine (i) which conservation actions have been implemented for different species, (ii) which types of species have improved in state and (iii) which actions are likely to have driven the improvements. At least 51.8% (34,847) of assessed species have actions reported, mostly comprising protected areas (82.7%), with more actions reported for both terrestrial tetrapods and warm-water reef-building corals and fewer for fish, dragonflies and damselflies and crustaceans. Species at greater risk of extinction have a wider range of species-targeted actions reported compared to less threatened species, reflecting differences in documentation and conservation efforts. Six times more species have deteriorated rather than improved in their Red List category. Almost all species that improved have conservation actions in place; species that improved in state typically were historically at high risk of extinction, have smaller ranges and lacked a range of reported threats, particularly hunting and habitat loss or degradation. All types of conservation action were associated with improvements in state, especially reintroductions and invasive species control, alongside, for amphibians and birds, area management. This suggests a range of conservation interventions have successfully conserved some species at greatest risk but have rarely recovered populations to resilient levels. Scaling up the extent and intensity of conservation interventions, particularly landscape-scale actions that benefit broadly distributed species, is urgently needed to assist the recovery of biodiversity.