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Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve No Net Loss goals

Environmental Studies and Forestry

Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve No Net Loss goals

L. J. Sonter, J. S. Simmonds, et al.

Explore the challenges of ecological compensation policies in achieving No Net Loss of biodiversity, as revealed by the innovative spatial simulation models used by Laura J. Sonter, Jeremy S. Simmonds, James E. M. Watson, and their research team across four diverse case studies in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Mozambique. Despite efforts, none of the assessed policies succeeded in preserving biodiversity. Discover the insights on land limitations and sector-specific regulations that hinder progress.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
Many nations use ecological compensation policies to address negative impacts of development projects and achieve No Net Loss (NNL) of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet, failures are widely reported. We use spatial simulation models to quantify potential net impacts of alternative compensation policies on biodiversity (indicated by native vegetation) and two ecosystem services (carbon storage, sediment retention) across four case studies (in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Mozambique). No policy achieves NNL of biodiversity in any case study. Two factors limit their potential success: the land available for compensation (existing vegetation to protect or cleared land to restore), and expected counterfactual biodiversity losses (unregulated vegetation clearing). Compensation also fails to slow regional biodiversity declines because policies regulate only a subset of sectors, and expanding policy scope requires more land than is available for compensation activities. Avoidance of impacts remains essential in achieving NNL goals, particularly once opportunities for compensation are exhausted.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Apr 29, 2020
Authors
Laura J. Sonter, Jeremy S. Simmonds, James E. M. Watson, Julia P. G. Jones, Joseph M. Kiesecker, Hugo M. Costa, Leon Bennun, Stephen Edwards, Hedley S. Grantham, Victoria F. Griffiths, Kendall Jones, Kei Sochi, Philippe Puydarrieux, Fabien Quétier, Helga Rainer, Hugo Rainey, Dilys Roe, Musnanda Satar, Britaldo S. Soares-Filho, Malcolm Starkey, Kerry ten Kate, Ray Victurine, Amrei von Hase, Jessie A. Wells, Martine Maron
Tags
ecological compensation
biodiversity
No Net Loss
ecosystem services
spatial simulation
policy effectiveness
biodiversity decline
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