Connecting Science to Conservation
What is 30×30?Heather Cayton2023-10-26T15:20:52-04:00
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What is 30×30?
The effort to conserve 30% of nature by 2030 offers a promising vision for connecting protected areas across the globe in an extensive network of diverse habitats.
Protect
Thirty-by-thirty (30×30) refers to efforts by the global community to conserve 30% of terrestrial and marine habitat by 2030. The movement started with international calls for setting aside portions of the globe as protected, and became official policy in the U.S. in 2021.
Biodiversity
At its heart, the 30×30 initiative is about protecting biodiversity, which is under threat from habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, climate change, and other factors. This protection can be achieved by creating a network of protected areas, which provide the critical component of connectivity.
Connectivity
Corridors remain one of the best conservation tools for creating a network of protected areas that conserve biodiversity. Without connectivity, protected areas function as isolated islands, limiting the movement of individuals and preventing the interactions that are critical for species persistence.
Conserve
Connectivity and protected areas are complementary strategies that represent the best path for achieving 30×30 goals, not only for present environmental conditions but for the future as well.
