Conservation efforts analysis reveals which actions are most helpful for endangered species status
Data show success in conserving species at greatest risk of extinction, but limited biodiversity recovery
PLOS
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Species that have improved status following conservation efforts. From top-left to bottom-right: Mauritian kestrel (Falco punctatus, Josh Noseworthy, CC BY 2.0), Pemba flying fox (Pteropus voeltzkowi, Nigel Voaden, CC BY 4.0), Little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii, Kimberley_collins, CC BY 2.0), Sierra Juarez Brook frog (Duellmanohyla ignicolor, Medardo_Arreortua, CC BY 4.0), Cook’s petrel (Pteroroma cookie, sussexbirder, CC BY 2.0), European bison (Bison bonasus, Oleg Kosterin, CC BY 4.0), Utahm’s bush frog (Raorchestes uthamani, Ansil B.R., CC BY 4.0), Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus, http://www.lynxexsitu.es, CC BY 3.0), Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae, Christopher.Michel, CC BY 2.0).
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Credit: Compiled by Ashley Simkins (CC-BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Targeted conservation actions are essential to prevent wildlife extinctions, but more efforts are needed to fully recover biodiversity, according to a study published March 18th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Ashley Simkins of the University of Cambridge, UK and colleagues.
Out of over 166,000 species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, around 28% are threatened with extinction. Global efforts to prevent extinction and recover biodiversity have had some success, but there is limited data to show which conservation actions are most effective. In this study, Simkins and colleagues compile information on species conservation status and conservation actions to assess the latter’s impacts on species.
The researchers reviewed data for over 67,000 species on the IUCN Red List, including which conservation actions have been taken and how each species' conservation status has changed over time. They found that nearly every species with improving status has some form of conservation action in place, with improvement most often seen in species with reintroduction plans or species-targeted management plans. Approximately only half of assessed species have conservation actions in place, and roughly six times as many species have deteriorated in recent decades than have improved. Of the species that have seen improvements, very few have experienced full recovery from near-extinction to Least Concern status.
These results provide a broad picture of which conservation actions are especially helpful and which species still require conservation action. The analyses confirm that efforts to prevent extinction for species at greatest risk have often led to improvements, but actions have rarely lead to full recovery of species. The authors note that there remain gaps and uncertainties in the IUCN Red List data due to inconsistencies in assessment and documentation strategies across species. Improving documentation of conservation actions underway and scaling up conservation efforts will be essential to assist the recovery of biodiversity.
The authors add, “Despite huge losses and declines of species, we find conservation action has driven improvements in more than one hundred species, with almost all species improving in status having conservation actions in place. This suggests with greater resource allocation, conservation can halt and reverse biodiversity loss.”
In your coverage, please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper in PLOS Biology: https://plos.io/3FDvitU
Citation: Simkins AT, Sutherland WJ, Dicks LV, Hilton-Taylor C, Grace MK, Butchart SHM, et al. (2025) Past conservation efforts reveal which actions lead to positive outcomes for species. PLoS Biol 23(3): e3003051. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3003051
Author countries: United Kingdom
Funding: ATS is supported through the Natural Environment Research Council’s C-CLEAR Doctoral Training Partnership (grant NE/S007164/1). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Journal
PLOS Biology
Method of Research
Observational study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
COI Statement
Competing interests: LVD is a Board Member of Natural England. All other authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Conservation efforts are bringing species back from the brink, even as overall biodiversity falls
University of Cambridge
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Conservation efforts are bringing species back from the brink, even as overall biodiversity falls. The Iberian lynx, once the world’s most endangered cat, has rebounded from just a few hundred individuals to a few thousand.
view moreCredit: Tris Allinson
A major review of over 67,000 animal species has found that while the natural world continues to face a biodiversity crisis, targeted conservation efforts are helping bring many species back from the brink of extinction.
The study draws on data from the IUCN Red List, the world’s largest database of species conservation status. The researchers say their results, reported in the journal PLOS Biology, highlight both the successes and the need for urgent action.
The world is facing a global biodiversity crisis, with 28% of more than 160,000 assessed species threatened with extinction, and an estimated one million species facing this fate due to human activities. However, conservation measures can be successful, if there is concrete evidence about what works.
The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge with the IUCN, BirdLife International, and Oxford and Durham Universities, used Red List data to assess whether conservation measures had been put in place, and whether those actions had a positive impact on a given species’ conservation status.
“We found that almost all the species that have moved from a more threatened category to a less threatened category have benefitted from some sort of conservation measures,” said lead author Ashley Simkins, a PhD candidate in Cambridge’s Department of Zoology. “It’s a strong signal that conservation works.”
While there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, the researchers observed some connections between conservation success stories. Many of these species live in isolated areas, such as islands, where intensive conservation efforts – such as habitat protection, captive breeding and reintroductions – can be fully implemented.
“While biodiversity loss is a genuine crisis, it’s vital that we celebrate the success stories wherever and whenever we can,” said Simkins. “It’s so hard for a species to improve its conservation status, but with the right effort, we can turn things around.”
The Iberian lynx, once the world’s most endangered cat, has rebounded from just a few hundred individuals to a few thousand. Likewise, the kākāpō, a flightless parrot from New Zealand, has benefitted from dedicated recovery programmes. And the European bison, which was hunted to extinction in the wild in the early 20th century, now roams parts of Eastern Europe thanks to sustained conservation efforts over decades.
Marine species have also seen dramatic recoveries. Humpback and blue whales, once driven to the brink of extinction by commercial whaling, have made a comeback after an international moratorium on whaling. However, despite these success stories, the study found that six times more species are declining than improving.
The researchers say that like human healthcare, preventative measures in conservation are preferable and more cost-effective to emergency interventions.
“Humans have gotten pretty good at what could be considered ‘A&E’ conservation – focusing on species at very high risk of extinction,” said Simkins. “What we’re less good at is preventing species from becoming threatened in the first place. We need to move beyond treating the symptoms of biodiversity loss and start addressing the root causes.”
The researchers also emphasise the need for collaborative, locally driven conservation. In Papua New Guinea, for example, conservationists worked with local communities to replace tree kangaroo hunting with sustainable forms of animal protein including farming of chickens and fishing —an approach that benefitted both people and wildlife.
“It’s vital that we as conservationists are working with stakeholders, rather than dictating to them, whether that’s an Indigenous community in Papua New Guinea or a farmer in Somerset,” said Simkins. “Conservation doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game – there are compromises that can benefit both the natural world and human society.”
“In this climate of constant stories about wildlife declines and insufficient political action to protect nature it’s important to realise that there are also many success stories and that conservation efforts are making a real, demonstrable impact in the world,” said co-senior author Dr Silviu Petrovan, also from the Department of Zoology. “Conservation works if given the chance.”
“This research sheds light on which actions to save species have been effective, and what interventions are needed,” said co-author Dr Stuart Butchart, Chief Scientist at BirdLife International. “Governments need to turn their words into actions, and rapidly scale up efforts to save species from extinction and help populations to recover. Safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations depends upon this.”
“The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species informs and guides on-the ground conservation decisions; actions which are further guided by the research presented in this publication,” said co-author Craig Hilton-Taylor, Head of the IUCN Red List.
“Almost everyone will have their own favourite example of a conservation success story, whether it’s the bald eagle in North America, or the red kite in the UK,” said Simkins. We need joint action to ensure these positive stories aren’t the exception – they’re the norm.”
The research was supported in part by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The European bison, which was hunted to extinction in the wild in the early 20th century, now roams parts of Eastern Europe thanks to sustained conservation efforts over decades.
Credit
Rafal Kowalczyk
A major review of over 67,000 animal species has found that while the natural world continues to face a biodiversity crisis, targeted conservation efforts are helping bring many species back from the brink of extinction.
Credit
Paul Donald
A major review of over 67,000 animal species has found that while the natural world continues to face a biodiversity crisis, targeted conservation efforts are helping bring many species back from the brink of extinction.
Credit
Mihai Leu
Journal
PLOS Biology
Article Title
Past conservation efforts reveal which actions lead to positive outcomes for species
Article Publication Date
18-Mar-2025
