An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm

We assess progress toward the protection of 50% of the terrestrial biosphere to address the species-extinction crisis and conserve a global ecological heritage for future generations. Using a map of Earth's 846 terrestrial ecoregions, we show that 98 ecoregions (12%) exceed Half Protected; 313 ecoregions (37%) fall short of Half Protected but have sufficient unaltered habitat remaining to reach the target; and 207 ecoregions (24%) are in peril, where an average of only 4% of natural habitat remains. We propose a Global Deal for Nature-a companion to the Paris Climate Deal-to promote increased habitat protection and restoration, national- and ecoregion-scale conservation strategies, and the empowerment of…

• NG
  National Geographic Society
• UO
  University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• UO
  University of Central Florida
• RA
  Rainforest Alliance
• YT
  Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
• AW
  Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
• WA
  World Agroforestry Centre
• DF
  Directorate for Biological Sciences
• UO
  University of California, Davis