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Matching biodiversity indicators to policy needs
journal contribution
posted on 2021-04-01, 00:00 authored by Simone Stevenson, Kate WatermeyerKate Watermeyer, Giovanni Caggiano, Elizabeth A Fulton, Simon Ferrier, Emily NicholsonEmily NicholsonPolicy makers rely on biodiversity indicators to assess when, where and how nature is changing. Some indicators, however, respond more quickly to pressures than others, measuring short‐term and potentially reversible change, while others capture permanent loss of biodiversity. These characteristics influence an indicator's suitability to perform predictive versus retrospective evaluation functions, but are rarely considered when developing or interpreting indicators. We demonstrate how a conceptual model from economics can be adapted for biodiversity to classify indicators by three functions: Leading (indicators that change prior the subject of interest, thus informing preventative measures); Coincident (indicators that measure the subject of interest); or Lagging (indicators that signal change after the subject of interest, used to evaluate past actions). We use this approach to classify existing indicators for two case studies: global species extinction and marine ecosystem collapse. We find that many existing indicators are theoretically capable of performing different functions; data analysis will be required to confirm temporal relationships between indicators. Classifying indicators according to function enhances interpretability, supports preventative action and facilitates structured decision‐making.
History
Journal
Conservation biologyVolume
35Issue
2Pagination
522 - 532Publisher
WileyLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0888-8892eISSN
1523-1739Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
Science & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineBiodiversity ConservationEcologyEnvironmental SciencesBiodiversity & ConservationEnvironmental Sciences & EcologyAichi Targetsbiodiversity indicatorsConvention on Biological Diversityecosystem based fisheries managementextinctionIUCN red list indexpopulation dynamicssustainable development goalsConvenio sobre la Diversidad Biológicadinámicas poblacionalesextincióindicadores de biodiversidadíndice de la lista roja de la UICNmanejo de pesquerías basado en el ecosistemaObjetivos de Aichiobjetivos de desarrollo sustentable爱知目标生物多样性指可持续发展《公约》基于态系统的渔业管理IUCN 红色名录数灭绝种群动GLOBAL BIODIVERSITYECOLOGICAL INDICATORSMANAGEMENTABUNDANCECONSERVATIONPROGRESSRISKConvenio sobre la Diversidad BiológicaIUCN 红色名录指数dinámicas poblacionalesextinciónmanejo de pesquerías basado en el ecosistemaíndice de la lista roja de la UICN《生物多样性公约》可持续发展目标基于生态系统的渔业管理灭绝爱知目标生物多样性指标种群动态
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