Conservation Policies Research Articles (Page 1)

Canada’s Policy for Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon (WSP) was designed to protect wild Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) by prioritizing biodiversity, habitat integrity, and sustainable management. While the policy established enduring conservation orthodoxy within Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), implementation has been slow, inconsistent, and incomplete. Major gaps in habitat assessments, population monitoring, and strategic planning have limited the policy’s effectiveness in reversing salmon declines. Fragmented governance, discretionary decision-making, and insufficient regulatory enforcement further weaken the policy. Using case studies of Skeena Sockeye (O. nerka), Interior Fraser Coho (O. kisutch), and Cowichan Chinook (O. tshawytscha), we illustrate both successes and shortcomings in policy application. We recommend prioritizing population assessments, supporting Indigenous and regional leadership, considering salmon ecosystems in management decisions, strengthening the policy’s legal authority and governance structures, increasing resources for implementation, and strengthening science-based decision making. Without urgent action, the Wild Salmon Policy risks remaining an aspirational framework rather than a functional conservation tool. Addressing these deficiencies is essential to ensuring the long-term resilience of wild Pacific salmon against environmental and anthropogenic threats.

Throughout the article titled “The Preservation of Sea Turtles on Kifuma/Soyo Beach,” the authors present a thorough analysis of the environmental conditions and the challenges associated with conserving sea turtles in an area of great ecological significance. The study adopts a variety of methodologies by combining on-site monitoring, data collection on nesting rates, and a detailed examination of the impacts resulting from human activities-such as overfishing, uncontrolled tourism, and the degradation of natural habitats. Data gathered during different periods reveal a progressive decline in the hatchlings' survival rate, underscoring the urgent need for preventive measures and sustainable management practices. The research further emphasizes the relevance of cooperation among local communities, government agencies, and scientific institutions, stressing that the implementation of environmental protection areas and the raising of resident awareness can promote the recovery of coastal ecosystems. The results obtained indicate that, in the presence of effective preservation strategies, there is a significant increase in the success rate of sea turtles during the nesting period, demonstrating the natural resilience of the species when adequately protected. The article also discusses the influence of climate change, which imposes additional challenges to the maintenance of reproductive cycles, and suggests the need to invest in continued research to adapt conservation policies to new environmental realities. In conclusion, the integration of efforts between society and environmental managers is truly fundamental to promoting ecological balance and ensuring the survival of sea turtles in the region.

Current scientific knowledge about the threats jeopardizing the recovery of sea turtle populations in Mexico is essential for improving conservation strategies. This study presents the results of a systematic review of the scientific literature published between 1960 and 2024, with the aim of identifying the main threats contributing to the decline of sea turtle populations in Mexico, detecting trends in scientific production, identifying knowledge gaps, and offering a comprehensive view of the challenges and priority actions needed to improve conservation strategies by region in Mexico. The review revealed a significant increase in research since 1997, with a predominant focus on pollution, fishing, and disease, mainly in the Pacific region. While Chelonia mydas and Lepidochelys olivacea were the most studied species, Dermochelys coriacea and Lepidochelys kempii received less attention. A total of 22 stressors associated with 8 threats were identified, but knowledge gaps persist regarding emerging threats such as climate change, coastal and marine development, and marine noise pollution. The results underscore the need to expand research on less-studied species and regions, strengthen studies in marine ecosystems, and improve the alignment between research and conservation policies to ensure the long-term viability of sea turtles in Mexico.

Abstract In May 2025, the “Conservation in a Microbial World” conference was hosted at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography to address the lack of microbial representation in international conservation frameworks (i.e. International Union for Conservation of Nature—IUCN). Organized by Drs. Redford, Gilbert, Friedman, and Rodríguez, the meeting explored the importance of the microbial world in conservation and what can be done to include microbes in global conservation. The meeting gathered together experts in fungi, bacteria and viruses with backgrounds in climate science, genomics, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and human health, spanning research, industry, conservation, and policy. Key themes included: how to communicate the importance of microbes, how to conserve microbes themselves, and how microbes could be integrated into existing conservation. The primary outcome was the launch of the IUCN Species Survival Commission—Microbial Conservation Specialist Group (MCSG). This initiative marks a pivotal step toward incorporating microbial life into global biodiversity conservation policy and practice.

This paper considers the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies as an important step in the crossing of sustainable trade and ocean governance. The analysis is made of the legal, economic, and environmental impacts of the agreement in terms of its provision in reducing destructive subsidies causing overfishing and depletion of marine life. Utilizing doctrinal analysis of the terms of the agreement and review of applicable WTO principles found in international environmental law, this paper answers the question of whether the agreement is an opportunity to harmonize trade regulation with wider sustainability goals, including SDG 14. The study also imagines the logistical difficulties of implementation and enforcement, especially for developing and least developed countries, with admitting the capacity shortcomings and compliance problems inherent to this obligation. From the analysis, this study finds that despite the agreement’s unprecedented change towards trade governance through its binding provisions on the environment, the actualized outcome will lie in domestic implementation multiplicity, ventured negotiations of the remaining categories of subsidies, and cooperative mechanisms for the provision of technical assistance. The study concludes that the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is also a first step to address the conflicting policies of trade liberalization and marine conservation and resource distribution.

Compliance with mandatory conservation policies among rural properties in the Eastern Amazon

Spatiotemporal dynamics of carbon-related ecosystem services: Unraveling socio-ecological drivers and leveraging bundles for sustainable spatial zoning.

Rediscovery of Vrikshayurveda: A nature-based vision for sustainability.

This study aims to develop a System Dynamics model for a Blue Economy-based tourism destination in Pacet, Mojokerto, and to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation policies in maintaining destination competitiveness and ensuring environmental sustainability. The method employed in this study is System Dynamics modeling using Python, comprising several stages: identification of key variables, construction of causal loop diagrams, formulation of stock-flow structures, and policy scenario simulations. The research data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources, including official agency reports, tourism statistics, and academic literature. The simulation results indicate that, under both the baseline and conservation investment scenarios, the number of tourists declined from 10,000 to approximately 8,421, while environmental quality deteriorated to zero. These findings suggest that partial conservation policies are ineffective in sustaining tourism, highlighting the need for a more integrative and systemic policy approach.related to the desired requirements. The simulation results indicate that, under both the baseline and conservation investment scenarios, the number of tourists declined from 10,000 to approximately 8,421, while environmental quality deteriorated to zero. These findings suggest that partial conservation policies are ineffective in sustaining tourism, highlighting the need for a more integrative and systemic policy approach.

ABSTRACT Methane seeps are recognized for hosting diverse communities and playing a crucial role in global carbon cycling. This study characterizes macroinvertebrate (> 300 μm) communities on carbonates at six methane seeps in the Southern California Borderland (USA) (370-1020 metres), addressing questions about their community structure and response to water depth, oxygen concentrations, and seepage activity. Overall, sites with less active seepage were dominated by ophiuroids, isopods, amphipods, and cnidarians. Active seep sites supported provannid snails, pyropeltid limpets, and dorvilleid, cirratulid, and lacydoniid polychaetes. Mensurative studies revealed that macrofaunal density and diversity were lower with increasing depth, decreasing oxygen, and increasing seepage. Experiments at Del Mar Seep, which involved transferring carbonates from an active seep setting to an inactive setting, showed that after 25 months the macrofaunal communities had fewer species dependent on seep-associated microbes and resembled non-seep fauna. Colonization experiments at Lasuen Knoll Seep, in which defaunated carbonates were deployed for 23 months at active and inactive settings, revealed that seepage allows for higher density and homogenizes communities. Southern California methane seeps are highly heterogenous, strongly influenced by overlying oxygen concentration, and respond rapidly to changes in seepage. Such information can inform regional conservation and management policies.

Forest fires, intensified by anthropogenic pressure and climate change, pose a significant threat to ecosystems and socioeconomic activities. This study aimed to perform wildfire risk zoning in Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, in order to identify vulnerable areas and support conservation and sustainable management policies. Maps were developed using QGIS software, considering slope aspect, gradient, distance from urban clusters, proximity to road networks, and land use and land cover, based on data from the Digital Elevation Model (MDE), the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the State Environmental System (IDE-SISEMA) and the MapBiomas Project, Collection 10 (2024). The results showed that 65.60% of the municipal territory presents Moderate to Very High risk, particularly in agricultural areas, north-facing slopes, and regions near highways. The consistency of the zoning was confirmed by the 227 fire hotspots recorded between 2020 and 2025, highlighting its relevance for local environmental planning.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) negatively affects a broad range of animal species, with severe implications for conservation policy development and strategic planning globally. Birds are one of the most widely used ecological indicator groups in monitoring environmental changes. However, most studies examining the effects of ALAN are focused on diurnal bird species. It would therefore be necessary to study these effects in more detail on species with at least crepuscular or nocturnal activity, since they may be more vulnerable. We investigated the effects of illumination on the nest box occupancy of the western barn owl (Tyto alba; hereafter barn owl) and tawny owl (Strix aluco) in illuminated vs. unilluminated church towers and the reproductive output in nest boxes in these towers by comparing the numbers of eggs and chicks fledged. We found reduced breeding presence in illuminated towers in both species but no difference in reproduction parameters for either of the species. Our results underscore that light pollution has a negative consequence on the nest box occupancy of barn owls and tawny owls due to reducing breeding site suitability. This raises the threat that artificial light at night may hinder the conservation of such nocturnal bird species whose reproduction may be increasingly connected to human settlements in the future.

Ethiopia is one of the richest centres in faunal, floral, and microbial diversity in the world. Conservation practices and policies have been variably successful in recent years. This review paper was initiated to assess the status of Biodiversity, threats, and conservation efforts in Ethiopia. The causes of biodiversity loss, including habitat destruction, invasive alien species, over-harvesting of biodiversity resources, and species homogeneity in agriculture, are all essential biological drivers of the loss of biological diversity. All of these factors share a commonality: they are all human-driven. More research is needed in this area. It is also debatable and questioned whether existing biodiversity-conservation strategies provide adequate responses to these core causes of biodiversity loss and are capable of effectively counteracting the loss of biodiversity-related cultural values, biological species, and ecosystems. Conservation of genetic resources may be warranted for future genetic improvement of plants and livestock. Through bio prospecting, which adds value to biodiversity by undertaking exploration, assessment, and conservation, the country will reap impressive economic, social, and cultural benefits. This review is relevant to the study area, which engages in participatory community-based management techniques, and sector-based conservation and integration should minimise biodiversity conservation loss, while also incorporating social, cultural, and economic considerations. Finally, the findings suggest that a widespread perception among local communities is that biodiversity is facing challenges. This implies that engaging with local communities and incorporating their perspectives in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation strategies is crucial for the adequate protection and restoration of biodiversity.

A pilot investigation of PM10-bound atmospheric microplastics over a protected mangrove ecosystem: Role of land-sea breeze circulation in marine and terrestrial inputs.

Colonial scientific forestry emphasized the demarcation, mapping, measurement, classification, and management of forest land for ecological and economic purposes. It was a key strategy employed by the British colonial administration to conserve soil, protect water catchments and exploit timber resources. Under the guise of scientific forestry, the British colonial government transformed indigenous forest land tenure systems and undermined traditional ecological knowledge. Forest reserves were established not only as instruments of ecological regulation but also as tools for imperial control, revenue generation and territorial reordering. In Tanganyika, the application of scientific forestry was shaped by the League of Nations Mandate and the policy of indirect rule. This study employs analytical, descriptive, and interpretive qualitative methods, drawing on written documents and electronic sources. It examines the implementation of British colonial scientific forestry in the creation of the Mbeya Range Forest Reserve through the displacement of local communities in the name of conserving water catchments and soil. The British administration’s failure to involve local communities in the establishment of the reserve led to resistance and weakened the legitimacy and effectiveness of conservation policies. Furthermore, financial and human resource constraints, including inadequate budget allocation and staffing, hindered proper supervision of the project. The study concludes that the creation of the Mbeya Range Forest Reserve, while ostensibly aimed at environmental conservation, ultimately served to reinforce colonial authority and economic interests at the expense of indigenous land rights and cultural practices.

Climate change has become a global issue that has serious impacts on biodiversity, including in the Jabodetabek metropolitan area which is experiencing ecological pressure due to massive urbanization and environmental degradation. This study aims to analyze the impact of climate change on the existence and sustainability of local flora and fauna species in Jabodetabek, identify weaknesses in existing policies, and formulate mitigation efforts within the context of national environmental issues. The method used is a legal-sociological approach with data collection techniques through literature studies, field observations, and limited interviews with stakeholders. The results show that rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and declining habitat quality have caused species migration, local extinction, and ecosystem imbalance. Weaknesses lie in the lack of integration between climate and conservation policies, minimal oversight, and low public participation. Recommended mitigation measures include strengthening conservation regulations, habitat restoration, providing ecological corridors, and multi-stakeholder collaboration between the government, community, and private sector. This study emphasizes that biodiversity protection must be an integral part of climate change adaptation strategies, in line with Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable development.

Climate change poses a significant challenge to global environmental sustainability, including in Kalimantan, which boasts extraordinary biodiversity. This study aims to examine the impact of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in Kalimantan using a descriptive qualitative approach and case studies in conservation areas such as Sebangau National Park and Wehea. The findings reveal that rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns have led to habitat degradation, disruption of ecological cycles, and declining populations of endemic species such as orangutans and proboscis monkeys. Ecosystem resilience has also weakened due to the combined pressures of climate change and human activities like deforestation and land conversion. Weaknesses in monitoring systems, low local community participation, and poor enforcement of laws exacerbate this situation. This study recommends strengthening environmental research, empowering indigenous communities, and reforming policies as strategic solutions. These findings are expected to form the basis for designing sustainable conservation and climate adaptation policies in Kalimantan.

ABSTRACT The rapid urbanization of North African cities has placed historic neighborhoods under pressure, often replacing vernacular construction methods with concrete-based systems of higher environmental impact. Although Moroccan courtyard houses (Riads) form a vital part of urban heritage, their environmental performance remains understudied. This paper applies a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate three representative Riad typologies located in coastal, semi-arid, and arid climatic zones. Two reconstruction scenarios were assessed: one using traditional materials and techniques, and the other using conventional concrete post-and-beam construction. Results show that traditional reconstruction reduces life cycle emissions by up to 565 kg CO₂e/m2 compared to concrete alternatives, with the largest differences occurring in production and end-of-life phases. Sensitivity analysis further highlights lifespan and electricity emission factor as the most influential parameters shaping global warming potential. The study contributes to the broader LCA literature by providing the first comparative assessment of vernacular and modern reconstruction practices in the Moroccan context. The findings demonstrate that traditional methods can support low-carbon heritage conservation and inform sustainable urban regeneration policies in rapidly growing regions.

The province of Jambi is facing serious pressure due to massive and uncontrolled deforestation, which has a direct impact on biodiversity degradation. Illegal activities such as illegal logging, land conversion for large-scale plantations, and mining expansion have caused damage to tropical forest ecosystems that serve as habitats for various endemic species. This study uses a normative legal approach by examining regulations related to forest and biodiversity protection, as well as analyzing weaknesses in the implementation of conservation policies in the field. The results of the study indicate that weak law enforcement, overlapping spatial regulations, and low local community participation are the main obstacles to environmental protection efforts. Preventive measures such as social forestry programs and permit moratoriums have not been able to significantly slow down deforestation. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen forest governance based on ecological justice and the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights, as well as multisectoral collaboration in forest restoration and wildlife conservation. This study emphasizes the importance of environmental policy reform in Jambi to ensure ecological sustainability and biodiversity protection.

Area of habitat (AOH) maps provide a high-resolution representation of the habitat available in a species' range and can support conservation policy and planning processes. However, until recently, there was insufficient knowledge on the distribution of inland wetlands and freshwater biodiversity to develop AOH mapping methods specifically tailored to inland wetlands. We used a combined empirical and thematic approach to translate inland wetland habitat classes in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Habitats Classification Scheme into spatially explicit wetland-cover types derived from the Global Lakes and Wetlands Database 2 and the World Karst Aquifer Map. The AOH was subsequently estimated as the area in the mapped range that corresponded to each species' habitat and elevation associations. We developed and tested the method with IUCN Red List assessment data, range maps, and point locality data for fishes, odonates, decapod crustaceans, and mollusks (22,876 species). The method performed well in comparison with similar methods already developed for terrestrial mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. The mean map prevalence (proportion of area in a species' range that was AOH) was 18-32% for each taxonomic group. Based on data on known localities of occurrence, 78-100% of species per taxonomic group had a higher classification accuracy than expected if AOH were distributed in the range at random. This represents an increased accuracy in the distribution of wetland species. Our study represents the first attempt to distinguish between inland wetland habitat subclasses and to include subterranean habitats in an AOH mapping method. Our method will facilitate the inclusion of previously underrepresented taxa in key conservation tools and analyses and is expected to increase the accuracy of AOH mapping for any species associated with inland wetlands.