Are Protected Areas Effective?
Lessons from Finland’s large carnivores
Wolverine in Finland’s Protected Areas | Getty Images
With over 1 million species facing extinction worldwide, protected areas (PAs) have become a cornerstone of conservation efforts. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity set ambitious post-2020 targets to reduce biodiversity loss, highlighting the need for effective solutions. While PAs often succeed in protecting ecosystems and species, their effectiveness depends on various ecological, social, and management factors. Recent studies reveal that despite a global increase in protected areas—from 14.1% to 15.3% between 2010 and 2019—biodiversity loss has continued to accelerate. This paradox underscores the complexity of ecosystems and the challenges of balancing conservation with human pressures and off-reserve management.
What Is a Protected Area in conservation?
A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space recognized and managed through legal or other effective means to achieve long-term conservation of nature [1]. These areas aim to protect ecosystems, species, and cultural heritage by limiting human activities like hunting, logging, or urban development.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines six categories of protected areas based on their objectives [2]:
Strict Nature Reserves: Areas with minimal human interference.
Wilderness Areas: Large, unmodified regions preserving natural conditions.
National Parks: Protected for ecosystem preservation and recreation.
Natural Monuments or Features: Specific natural landmarks of ecological or cultural significance.
Habitat/Species Management Areas: Actively managed for particular species or habitats.
Protected Landscapes or Seascapes: Areas where conservation and sustainable human interaction coexist.
Are Protected Areas always effective?
Globally, the effectiveness of PAs in halting biodiversity loss is mixed. While the total area under protection increased from 14.1% to 15.3% between 2010 and 2019 [3], biodiversity loss has continued to accelerate. This paradox underscores the complexity of ecosystems and the multifaceted challenges in managing them.
Finland: A Case study on large carnivores
In Finland, large carnivores such as lynxes, brown bears, wolves, and wolverines are essential to maintaining ecological balance. However, their wide-ranging movements often take them outside the boundaries of protected areas, raising questions about the sufficiency of PAs in conserving these species.
““The negative trend of wolverine populations inside northern protected areas is alarming and highlights that further research is needed to understand the dynamics of wolverine populations in Lapland, how this species is affected by illegal killing and what protected areas could do to improve this situation.” ”
Are Protected Areas effective in Finland?
A study led by the University of Helsinki examined carnivore densities within Finland’s protected areas and found surprising results [4]:
Lynxes: Showed higher densities within protected areas in eastern Finland, likely due to favorable ecological factors like prey abundance and connectivity to healthy populations in neighboring Russia.
Brown Bears, Wolves, and Wolverines: Did not exhibit higher densities within PAs compared to unprotected lands. Wolverines, in particular, experienced declining populations within PAs.
Several factors influence the effectiveness of PAs in Finland and elsewhere:
1. Mobility of large carnivores
Large carnivores often require extensive territories to find food, mates, and safe refuges. Protected areas alone may be too small or fragmented to meet their needs, causing animals to venture into unprotected regions.
2. Human-Wildlife conflicts
In Finland, increasing populations of large carnivores have led to conflicts with local communities, such as reindeer herders in Lapland. Negative attitudes towards species like wolves and wolverines can undermine conservation efforts.
3. Off-Reserve management
Conservation success depends not only on PAs but also on how unprotected lands are managed. For instance, sustainable forestry practices, community engagement, and corridors that connect PAs can significantly enhance conservation outcomes.
Lynx density was higher in Finland´s eastern protected areas. | David Selbert, Pexels
Lessons for effective conservation
The Finnish case study highlights the importance of tailoring conservation strategies to the specific needs of species and ecosystems. Here are actionable strategies to improve the effectiveness of protected areas:
1. Design larger, connected areas
Creating larger PAs or linking smaller ones through wildlife corridors can better accommodate the extensive ranges of large carnivores. Connectivity helps maintain genetic diversity and allows species to adapt to environmental changes.
2. Incorporate Local Communities
Engaging local communities in conservation efforts is crucial. For example, compensating reindeer herders for losses caused by predators or involving them in monitoring carnivore populations can foster coexistence.
3. Integrate technology
Technological tools like GPS tracking and camera traps can provide valuable data on carnivore movements and habitat use, helping refine conservation strategies.
4. Adopt adaptive management
Conservation plans should be flexible and based on ongoing research. Monitoring species and habitats regularly ensures that interventions can be adjusted as needed.
Beyond Protected Areas
Protected areas remain a vital tool for conservation, but they are not a panacea. As Finland’s experience with large carnivores illustrates, the effectiveness of PAs depends on thoughtful design, active management, and the integration of broader conservation strategies.
To safeguard biodiversity, we must:
Expand and connect protected areas.
Address human-wildlife conflicts through community engagement.
Manage unprotected lands sustainably.
Invest in research and adaptive management.
Wildlife Experiences in Finland and Surroundings
In regions like Finnish Lapland and surrounding areas, eco-friendly wildlife tourism provides an avenue for people to experience the raw beauty of these protected areas and realize their true worth. Local guides often take visitors on small-scale reindeer safaris, birdwatching treks, or overnight stays in bear-watching huts, all of which minimize environmental impact while bolstering regional incomes. Such ventures help reindeer herders and park rangers see that a living ecosystem can generate lasting value, making them more inclined to support habitat conservation. Whether tracking lynx prints in pristine snow or spotting rare birds along remote fells, these experiences bring visitors face-to-face with Finland’s wilderness—nurturing a deeper commitment to the success of protected areas.
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References
Convention on Biological Diversity [Internet] CBD; 2021. Preparations for the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework. 2021 [cited 2021 Sep 27]. Available at https://www.cbd.int/conferences/post2020
IUCN [Internet] IUCN; 2021. What is a protected area? 2021 [cited 2021 Sep 27]. Available at: https://www.iucn.org/theme/protected-areas/about
Maxwell SL, Cazalis V, Dudley N, Hoffmann M, Rodrigues ASL, Stolton S, et al. Area-based conservation in the twenty-first century. Nature (London). 2020;586(7828):217–27.
Terraube J, Van Doninck J, Helle P, Cabeza M. Assessing the effectiveness of a national protected area network for carnivore conservation. Nature communications. 2020;11(1):2957–2957.
Dhanwatey HS, Crawford JC, Abade LAS, Dhanwatey PH, Nielsen CK, Sillero-Zubiri C. Large carnivore attacks on humans in central India: a case study from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. Oryx. 2013;47(2):221–7.
Convention on Biological Diversity [Internet] CBD; 2021. First detailed draft of the new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity framework; 2021 June 07 [cited 2021 Sep 27]. Available at: https://www.cbd.int/article/draft1-global-biodiversity-framework
