A horizon scan of global biological conservation issues for 2022

Sutherland, William J.; Atkinson, Philip W.; Butchart, Stuart H.M.; Capaja, Marcela; Dicks, Lynn V.; Fleishman, Erica; Gaston, Kevin J.; Hails, Rosemary S.; Hughes, Alice C.; Le Anstey, Becky; Le Roux, Xavier; Lickorish, Fiona A.; Maggs, Luke; Noor, Noor; Oldfield, Thomasina E.E.; Palardy, James E.; Peck, Lloyd S.; Pettorelli, Nathalie; Pretty, Jules; Spalding, Mark D.

A horizon scan of global biological conservation issues for 2022

Resource type

Journal article

Creator (person)

Sutherland, William J.

Atkinson, Philip W.

Butchart, Stuart H.M.

Capaja, Marcela

Dicks, Lynn V.

Fleishman, Erica

Gaston, Kevin J.

Hails, Rosemary S.

Hughes, Alice C.

Le Anstey, Becky

Le Roux, Xavier

Lickorish, Fiona A.

Maggs, Luke

Noor, Noor

Oldfield, Thomasina E.E.

Palardy, James E.

Peck, Lloyd S.

Pettorelli, Nathalie

Pretty, Jules

Spalding, Mark D.

Tonneijck, Femke H.

Truelove, Gemma

Watson, James E.M.

Wentworth, Jonathan

Wilson, Jeremy D.

Thornton, Ann

ORCID

Date published

January 2022

Abstract

We present the results of our 13th annual horizon scan of issues likely to impact on biodiversity conservation. Issues are either novel within the biological conservation sector or could cause a substantial step-change in impact, either globally or regionally. Our global panel of 26 scientists and practitioners identified 15 issues that we believe to represent the highest priorities for tracking and action. Many of the issues we identified, including the impact of satellite megaconstellations and the use of long-distance wireless energy transfer, have both elements of threats and emerging opportunities. A recent state-sponsored application to commence deep-sea mining represents a significant step-change in impact. We hope that this horizon scan will increase research and policy attention on the highlighted issues.