Open AccessConservation in heavily urbanized biodiverse regions requires urgent management action and attention to governance
Author(s) -
Kehoe Laura J.,
Lund Jessie,
Chalifour Lia,
Asadian Yeganeh,
Balke Eric,
Boyd Sean,
Carlson Deborah,
Casey James M.,
Connors Brendan,
Cryer Nicolai,
Drever Mark C.,
Hinch Scott,
Levings Colin,
MacDuffee Misty,
McGregor Heidi,
Richardson John,
Scott David C.,
Stewart Daniel,
Vennesland Ross G.,
Wilkinson Chad E.,
Zevit Pamela,
Baum Julia K.,
Martin Tara G.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
conservation science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-4854
DOI - 10.1111/csp2.310
Subject(s) - corporate governance , biodiversity , environmental planning , business , environmental resource management , investment (military) , activity based costing , geography , ecology , economics , political science , finance , marketing , politics , law , biology
Throughout history, humans have settled in areas of high biodiversity. Today these areas are home to our biggest urban centers with biodiversity at increasing risk from escalating cumulative threats. Identifying the management strategies to conserve species within such regions, and ensuring effective governance to oversee their implementation, presents enormous challenges. Using a novel Priority Threat Management (PTM) approach that calculates the cost‐effectiveness of conservation action and co‐governance, we discover that the 102 species at risk of local extinction within Canada's most diverse, heavily urbanized coastal region, the Fraser River estuary, require urgent investment in management strategies costing an estimated CAD$381 M over 25 years. Our study also suggests that co‐governance underpins conservation success in urban areas, by increasing the feasibility of management strategies. This study underscores that biodiversity conservation in heavily urbanized areas is not a lost cause but does require strategic planning, attention to governance, and large‐scale investment.