Freshwater Biodiversity Toolbox
Protected Areas – Protection of Hotspots
Global conservation actions can include assigning protections to regions of the world with significant levels of threatened biodiversity. These regions, called biodiversity hotspots, are populated with high levels of endemic species, unique to those regions alone. There are currently 36 areas around the world that have been officially deemed biodiversity hotspots and they support a significant amount of world's species. Biodiversity hotspots are used as an effort to protect important species and ecosystems from the various threats posed by human activities such as illegal wildlife trade, natural resource exploitation, and land-use changes. These initiatives are supported by government, researchers, civil society organizations, and local communities. Monitoring and appraisal of existing hotspots are necessary to inform evidence-based management, conservation, and policies for these regions.
Rating:
All syntheses scored poorly in CEESAT demonstrating limitations in the rigour and the transparency in which the syntheses were conducted (i.e., no a-priori protocol, critical appraisal, or appropriate search strategy provided). Jézéquel et al. (2020) scored Green in one element for providing a detailed methodology outlining data extraction processes.
RASCAT scoring was mixed for this intervention; syntheses scored well in regards to how applicable to Canada the habitats and countries reviewed were but scored poorly in the relevancy of the climates and species reviewed. All syntheses failed to fully demonstrate consideration of implications, practical advice, or recommendations for decision-makers.
