Australia’s Conservation Efforts Miss Key Areas
Why this is here: The analysis found 160 endangered species have virtually no protection within Australia’s extensive network of protected areas, demonstrating a disconnect between conservation efforts and biodiversity preservation.
Australia has dedicated over 20% of its land to conservation, but a new analysis reveals this protection isn’t focused on the most vulnerable species and ecosystems. Between 2010 and 2022, protected land nearly doubled, yet protection for threatened species rose by only 3% during that period.
Approximately 160 species—10% of those listed as endangered—have virtually no habitat protection. Examples include the Margaret River burrowing crayfish and the Grey Range thick-billed grasswren, both critically endangered with no protected habitat. The analysis indicates Australia tends to protect remote, less productive land, overlooking at-risk species in modified landscapes.
Researchers say Australia must prioritize strategic land protection to meet its commitment to protect 30% of land by 2030. They recommend using existing biodiversity data to focus on areas of highest value and measuring conservation success by outcomes, not just total area protected.