KEEP EARTH’S BIODIVERSITY THRIVING: KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA PROGRAM

The Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) program is a global effort dedicated to identifying, monitoring, and preserving areas that are essential to biodiversity conservation. The program aims to draw attention to the significance of natural sites that support an abundance of species and host unique ecosystems, with the goal of ensuring biodiversity protection now and in the future. But how are these areas identified, and why are they important? And how do they relate to the Nature FIRST project? Join us as we explore these questions and more.

The KBA program was the result of a collaboration between international conservation organisations, scientific institutions, governmental agencies, and local communities. It incorporates scientific criteria for classifying KBAs and expands upon the knowledge and experience already present in the field of conservation biology.

The Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are internationally recognized areas that serve as conservation models for biodiversity. These are selected based on scientific criteria, such as the presence of endangered species, distinct ecosystems, and endemic flora and fauna. KBAs cover a wide variety of habitats, including coastal regions, vast wetlands, lush rainforests, and rugged mountain terrain.

The Key Biodiversity Areas are identified based on a systematic and data-driven approach, which is included in a Global Standard prepared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission and IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas in association with the IUCN Global Species Programme, with the collaboration of multiple organisations. It takes into account a number of factors, including whether there are globally threatened species, endemic species, exceptional biodiversity concentrations, and irreplaceable habitats. Using a combination of field surveys, data on species distribution, and ecological assessments, the identification process entails data gathering, analysis, and expert consultations.

After KBAs are identified, they are typically mapped and documented, resulting in a comprehensive list of worldwide significant sites for biodiversity conservation. Policymakers, conservation groups, researchers, and land-use planners can use this data as a valuable resource to help them prioritise conservation efforts and make well-informed decisions.

Importance of Key Biodiversity Areas

The KBA program does more than just identify and map these areas. By promoting the inclusion of KBAs in both national and regional conservation programs, it supports the efficient management and protection of these areas. The initiative attempts to mobilise the assistance of governments, NGOs, and local communities in order to create and carry out conservation strategies that are specifically tailored according to the requirements of each KBA.

Activities aimed at increasing awareness and capacity building are also a crucial part of the KBA program. The initiative aims to promote a sense of ownership and responsibility of KBAs by involving local communities, indigenous groups, and stakeholders. This involvement guarantees the preservation of cultural heritage associated with these areas and improves the long-term viability of conservation initiatives.

By locating and protecting key locations that act as strongholds for various species and ecosystems, the KBA program contributes significantly to the conservation of biodiversity. The initiative contributes to the worldwide effort to preserve our planet's biological legacy for future generations by increasing awareness, encouraging good management, and mobilising support. The program is ready to assist the EU Biodiversity Strategy and help accomplish the Kunming-Montreal GBF Goals and Targets.

KBAs worldwide

The KBA program operates worldwide, encompassing habitats across continents and diverse ecosystems. In order to facilitate the identification and preservation of KBAs in particular regions and countries, the program works with regional and national partners. In order to maximize impact and align efforts, the program also actively participates in partnerships with other conservation initiatives.

More than 20 million hectares of land were part of 16,337 KBAs as of March 2023, including more than 4,000 areas in Europe, 2,000 in South and Southeast Asia, and 1,720 in sub-Saharan Africa.

*Featured Image: Map of the KBAs in the World (March 2023)*

KBA program partners

A wide range of participants and organisations are involved in the operation of the KBA program, including governments, conservation organisations, local communities and indigenous groups, researchers and scientists, landowners and the private sector, as well as members of the general public and tourists. Some examples of donors using KBAs to target investment are the following: Agence Française de Développement (AFD) funds the identification of KBAs in Southern Africa, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) uses KBAs to target its Legacy Landscapes locations, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds the identification of KBAs.

KBAs in Europe

In Europe, the Horizon grants and Biodiversa are funding the identification of KBAs throughout Europe, with the hope that this will result in more KBAs being proposed throughout this region. Using this online viewer it is possible to see the KBAs that have been identified not only throughout Europe but also worldwide.

It must also be noted that there is some significant overlap between KBAs and the Natura 2000 network: million of hectares of KBAs are now protected within the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. However, more KBAs should be officially protected: as shown through the IBAs program (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas), “extinction of birds is lower in better protected IBAs” (Butchart et al).

“By identifying all the world’s KBAs and effectively conserving them, the species and ecosystems they support, and the diverse benefits they provide to people, we can halt the loss of nature.”

Greece has become the first European country to recognise Key Biodiversity Areas in its laws and policies, taking and important step forward – and the Natura 2000 committee is the main scientific advisory body for coordinating, overseeing, and evaluating the policies and actions implemented to safeguard Greece's biodiversity.

The Nature FIRST project is developing preventative capabilities for biodiversity conservation that are first being applied in four field sites that are part of the Natura 2000 network. As we further develop these tools, our aim is to make these tools affordable and available, so that real-time implementation can be possible throughout as many KBAs as possible.

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