2025

Giakoumi, Sylvaine; Richardson, Anthony J.; Doxa, Aggeliki; Moro, Stefano; Andrello, Marco; Hanson, Jeffrey O.; Hermoso, Virgilio; Mazor, Tessa; McGowan, Jennifer; Kujala, Heini; Law, Elizabeth; Álvarez-Romero, Jorge G.; Magris, Rafael A.; Gissi, Elena; Arafeh-Dalmau, Nur; Metaxas, Anna; Virtanen, Elina A.; Ban, Natalie C.; Runya, Robert M.; Dunn, Daniel C.; Fraschetti, Simonetta; Galparsoro, Ibon; Smith, Robert J.; Bastardie, Francois; Stelzenmüller, Vanessa; Possingham, Hugh P.; Katsanevakis, Stelios

Highlights Systematic conservation planning (SCP) offers decision-makers an integrated approach to tackle multiple targets of international policies such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and, notably, to efficiently achieve the ’30 × 30’ target by protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. Recent advances in optimization tools have broadened the scope of problems that can be addressed by SCP. These include new and enhanced optimization methods and the integration of multiple objectives prioritizing actions across space and time. Improved SCP methods and tools can assist decision-makers to better allocate resources. Building trust with decision-makers is crucial to reinforce the adoption of SCP for efficient biodiversity management. Future SCP research could facilitate decision-makers in assessing trade-offs among conservation and socioeconomic objectives and estimating uncertainty in conservation plans. Abstract Systematic conservation planning (SCP) involves the cost-effective placement and application of management actions to achieve biodiversity conservation objectives. Given the political momentum for greater global nature protection, restoration, and improved management of natural resources articulated in the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, assessing the state-of-the-art of SCP is timely. Recent advances in SCP include faster and more exact algorithms and software, inclusion of ecosystem services and multiple facets of biodiversity (e.g., genetic diversity, functional diversity), climate-smart approaches, prioritizing multiple actions, and increased SCP accessibility through online tools. To promote the adoption of SCP by decision-makers, we provide recommendations for bridging the gap between SCP science and practice, such as standardizing the communication of planning uncertainty and capacity-building training courses.