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Science 7 July 2006:
Vol. 313. no. 5783, pp. 58 - 61
DOI: 10.1126/science.1127609
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Review

Global Biodiversity Conservation Priorities

T. M. Brooks,1,2,3* R. A. Mittermeier,1 G. A. B. da Fonseca,1,4 J. Gerlach,5,6 M. Hoffmann,1 J. F. Lamoreux,3 C. G. Mittermeier,1 J. D. Pilgrim,7 A. S. L. Rodrigues5

The location of and threats to biodiversity are distributed unevenly, so prioritization is essential to minimize biodiversity loss. To address this need, biodiversity conservation organizations have proposed nine templates of global priorities over the past decade. Here, we review the concepts, methods, results, impacts, and challenges of these prioritizations of conservation practice within the theoretical irreplaceability/vulnerability framework of systematic conservation planning. Most of the templates prioritize highly irreplaceable regions; some are reactive (prioritizing high vulnerability), and others are proactive (prioritizing low vulnerability). We hope this synthesis improves understanding of these prioritization approaches and that it results in more efficient allocation of geographically flexible conservation funding.

1 Conservation International, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA.
2 World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Post Office Box 35024, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines.
3 Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA.
4 Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270, Brazil.
5 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
6 Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles, Post Office Box 207, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles.
7 BirdLife International in Indochina, 4/209 Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: t.brooks{at}conservation.org

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