For the past two decades, countries globally have been aggressively expanding protected areas to achieve the ambitious “30 by 30” goal, which aims to legally protect 30% of the Earth’s land and oceans by 2030. This expansion is designed to combat deforestation, conserve biodiversity, and curb greenhouse gas emissions.
But how effective are these protected areas in Southeast Asia? An international research team investigated this question, focusing on 80 protected areas established between 2007 and 2014. Their findings, published in Current Biology, highlight a significant shortfall: over half of these failed to prevent deforestation, leading to a loss of 72,497 hectares (179,144 acres) of forest—an area roughly double the size of Detroit.
Evaluating Protected Areas: Successes and Failures
Using satellite imagery from 2000 to 2020, researchers employed a computational model to assess whether these protected areas effectively reduced deforestation compared to unprotected forests nearby. The results were mixed:
- Effective Areas: Only 36 out of the 80 protected areas significantly reduced deforestation. Collectively, these areas prevented the loss of 78,910 hectares (194,991 acres) of forest, translating to an annual forest preservation of 8,821 hectares (21,797 acres). This success protected 91 species of threatened birds and 98 species of threatened mammals, including the vulnerable Mindanao spiny rat and several other species critical to Southeast Asia’s biodiversity. Additionally, these areas cut down carbon emissions by 2.10 metric tons annually, comparable to Bhutan’s total emissions in 2021.
- Ineffective Areas: Conversely, 44 protected areas experienced deforestation rates similar to or higher than before their designation. They, covering 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres), failed to prevent the loss of 72,497 hectares of forest and emitted 2.07 metric tons of CO2 annually. The lack of effectiveness in these regions had significant consequences for 121 species of threatened birds and 105 threatened mammal species.
Challenges Facing Protected Areas
The disparity between effective and ineffective protected them often boils down to financial constraints and management issues. Effective conservation requires substantial resources, including funding for staff salaries, equipment, patrols, and maintenance. The study revealed that the 44 ineffective protected them require at least $17 million to improve their management.
Gopalasamy Reuben Clements, a conservation scientist based in Malaysia, points out that federal parks typically receive more funding than state-managed it, exacerbating the funding gap. The study also found that wealthier nations tend to have more effective protected areas, suggesting a strong correlation between funding levels and conservation success.
Addressing Funding Shortages
One potential solution for bridging the funding gap is exploring carbon markets and nature-based carbon credits. The researchers estimate that the emissions offset potential in Southeast Asia’s ineffective protected could generate around $12 million in the carbon market, covering a significant portion of the needed $17 million.
However, relying solely on market-based mechanisms carries risks, such as market fluctuations and stringent criteria for proving emissions reductions. Blended finance—combining public and private funding—may offer a more stable solution. Other strategies include biodiversity credits, selling forest products, eco-tax breaks, and ecotourism.
Moving Forward
The key takeaway from this study is the necessity for both expanding protected areas and ensuring their effective management. As study co-author Zeng Yiwen emphasizes, it’s crucial not only to establish new protected organization but also to adequately support and manage them. Effective conservation requires ongoing investment and adaptation to evolving challenges.
Ultimately, successful conservation efforts depend on political will and a commitment to long-term support. By addressing funding gaps and enhancing management practices, Southeast Asia can improve the effectiveness of its and contribute significantly to global conservation goals.
