The entire world has responded to and been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Humans have changed our activities and behaviors, illustrating that rapid societal change is possible. It is important to recognize that many of the root causes of this pandemic are the same as those that are worsening the global climate change and biodiversity crises. As we learn and adapt from this pandemic, opportunities for societal transformation that could change the world and the health of natural systems should not be missed. Vision is needed by our world leaders and those of influence now more than ever to rise from the pandemic years with pathways towards greater sustainability. We suggest seven strategies to maximize the COVID-19 pandemic as a pivot point for biological conservation (Fig. 1).
Societal transformation will promote a longer-term vision for both ecosystem and economic sustainability. Drawings were provided by Cerren Richards.
New understanding gained through the pandemic can be incorporated into conservation plans moving forwards, which will take careful and insightful planning (Fig. 1(1)). This includes fine-tuning predictive models and conservation theory with greater skill and precision. For instance, confining humans to their residences at such large scales has underpinned estimates of the causal impact of reducing human activity on wildlife around the world11.
Multiple disturbances and threats are increasing in frequency and intensity (e.g., pandemics, biodiversity loss, climate change). New methodologies with a multi-hazard risk perspective are required (Fig. 1(2)). We call for improvements to management models and prognostic tools to analyze and quantify vulnerabilities across ecological, social, and economic systems in future postpandemic scenarios, coupled with investments to build resilience in these diverse systems to multiple disturbances. Doing so will improve risk management before, during, and after disturbances, including those that overlap, and shift to a more preventative rather than reactive approach.
Solutions need to be multisectorial and coordinated, rather than sacrificing one sector for another (Fig. 1(3)). Strategies can be designed and tested for decision-making to balance short-term gains versus investing in long-term transformations. This involves leveraging multidisciplinary knowledge, expertise, and resources toward a shared goal of producing better environmental and human well-being outcomes.
Partnerships with local experts can support shared-conservation agendas to achieve both sustainable ecosystems and human well-being (Fig. 1(4)). Investing in local community experts and stewardship also has potential to build stronger local economies and long-term capacity. This requires development of the appropriate legislation and policies and adequate allocation of resources (especially funding) to support Indigenous Peoples and communities to participate and lead conservation efforts. For instance, support of local conservation efforts (e.g., expansion of Hawai’i’s Community Based Subsistence Fishing Areas) and inclusion of Indigenous management systems, are being collaboratively supported by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and scientists worldwide.
Regions, which heavily and narrowly rely on funding from a single sector (such as international tourism) to support biodiversity conservation, are vulnerable to external shocks and require diversification. This is fundamental for economic resilience and protection against global crises such as pandemics (Fig. 1(5)). Diversification of local economies may offer viable alternatives to (over)exploitation or illegal and unregulated resource use.
Strong links between environmental and human health have also come to light (“One Health”) that reinforce support of conservation programs and nature-based solutions18. This needs to be better reflected in policies, strategies, and action from global to local levels. Linking conservation of nature to human health may dampen economic drawdown and lead to strong human well-being and conservation outcomes (Fig. 1(6))
Social, economic, and biological systems are intimately connected. We urge economists to engage with ecologists (and vice versa) in discussions about how ecosystem valuation can strengthen the relationship between sustainable development, nature, and society (Fig. 1(7)).
Source: Ecology - nature.com
