A framework for synergistically addressing the risk sources of biodiversity loss and climate change in protected areas and Ecological Conservation Redlines

doi:10.17520/biods.2025492

Abstract

Abstract:

Background: Biodiversity loss and climate change constitute two of the most pressing global environmental challenges, characterized by tightly coupled drivers and reinforcing feedbacks, and therefore demand synergistic responses grounded in nature-based solutions (NbS). In China, protected areas and Ecological Conservation Redlines possess substantial potential for synergistically addressing the risk sources of biodiversity loss and climate change, especially under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the push toward the “30 × 30” target. However, the existing management and planning systems remain insufficiently articulated to support such practices, highlighting an urgent need for more concrete, operational guidelines and integrated tools.

Results: This study proposes an innovative framework based on the concept of adaptive management, establishing a closed-loop process of “risk source identification–synergistically addressing–effectiveness evaluation”. This framework identified four categories of biodiversity loss and climate change risk sources: (1) factors causing loss and degradation of natural ecosystems; (2) factors impeding ecosystem recovery; (3) unsustainable production and management practices; and (4) lack of effective protection for key sites. Correspondingly, four specific NbS pathways were proposed to address these risk sources: protecting natural ecosystems, restoring degraded ecosystems, sustainably managing human-dominated production landscapes, and optimizing the spatial pattern of protected area and Ecological Conservation Redline networks.

Prospects: The effective implementation of this framework hinges on addressing two critical prerequisites: institutional coordination for cross-jurisdictional landscape planning and capacity building for local managers. With these enabling conditions in place, the framework can equip policymakers and practitioners to synergistically achieve biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and climate adaptation. Looking ahead, our framework has the potential to support China’s coordinated implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, while offering valuable insights for the international community.

Key words: biodiversity, climate change, protected areas, Ecological Conservation Redlines, nature-based solutions

Fangyuan Hua, Shuangqi Liu, Yangjing Peng, Shanxing Gong, Xiaoli Shen, Kun Jin. A framework for synergistically addressing the risk sources of biodiversity loss and climate change in protected areas and Ecological Conservation Redlines[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2026, 34(6): 25492.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2025492

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2026/V34/I6/25492

Figures/Tables 2

References 56

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风险源类别 Risk source category	具体形式 Specific form	相应的NbS路径 Corresponding NbS pathways
导致自然生态系统丧失与退化的因素 Factors causing loss and degradation of natural ecosystems	(1)土地利用改变: 人类对自然生态系统所在土地的侵占、改变或利用 (1) Land use change: Conversion, alteration, or utilization of lands supporting natural ecosystems	保护、恢复 Protection, restoration
	(2)过度利用: 人类对野生动植物不可持续的采伐、采摘、盗猎 (2) Over-exploitation: Unsustainable harvesting, collecting, or poaching of wild plants and animals
	(3)其他: 其他人类活动干扰、外来种入侵、污染、各类人为或自然灾害 (3) Others: Other anthropogenic disturbances, invasive alien species, pollution, and various human-induced or natural disasters
阻碍生态系统恢复的因素 Factors impeding ecosystem recovery	土壤退化、种源缺乏、其他适宜的非生物或生物条件缺乏 Soil degradation, lack of propagule sources, and absence of other suitable abiotic or biotic conditions	恢复 Restoration
不可持续的生产管理方式 Unsustainable production and management practices	过度施用农药化肥、破坏土壤、欠缺污染处理机制、过度放牧或捕捞 Excessive application of pesticides and fertilizers, soil disturbance, lack of pollution control measures, overgrazing, or overfishing	可持续管理 Sustainable management
关键地块有效保护的缺失 Lack of effective protection for key sites	在当前或未来气候情境下, 现有自然保护地和生态保护红线网络对高保护价值地块的覆盖不足, 或其连通性较差 The existing network of protected areas and Ecological Conservation Redlines currently, or under future climate scenarios, fails to sufficiently cover sites of high conservation value, or lacks adequate connectivity	空间格局优化 Spatial optimization

风险源类别 Risk source category	具体形式 Specific form	相应的NbS路径 Corresponding NbS pathways
导致自然生态系统丧失与退化的因素 Factors causing loss and degradation of natural ecosystems	(1)土地利用改变: 人类对自然生态系统所在土地的侵占、改变或利用 (1) Land use change: Conversion, alteration, or utilization of lands supporting natural ecosystems	保护、恢复 Protection, restoration
	(2)过度利用: 人类对野生动植物不可持续的采伐、采摘、盗猎 (2) Over-exploitation: Unsustainable harvesting, collecting, or poaching of wild plants and animals
	(3)其他: 其他人类活动干扰、外来种入侵、污染、各类人为或自然灾害 (3) Others: Other anthropogenic disturbances, invasive alien species, pollution, and various human-induced or natural disasters
阻碍生态系统恢复的因素 Factors impeding ecosystem recovery	土壤退化、种源缺乏、其他适宜的非生物或生物条件缺乏 Soil degradation, lack of propagule sources, and absence of other suitable abiotic or biotic conditions	恢复 Restoration
不可持续的生产管理方式 Unsustainable production and management practices	过度施用农药化肥、破坏土壤、欠缺污染处理机制、过度放牧或捕捞 Excessive application of pesticides and fertilizers, soil disturbance, lack of pollution control measures, overgrazing, or overfishing	可持续管理 Sustainable management
关键地块有效保护的缺失 Lack of effective protection for key sites	在当前或未来气候情境下, 现有自然保护地和生态保护红线网络对高保护价值地块的覆盖不足, 或其连通性较差 The existing network of protected areas and Ecological Conservation Redlines currently, or under future climate scenarios, fails to sufficiently cover sites of high conservation value, or lacks adequate connectivity	空间格局优化 Spatial optimization