Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Report Reveal Mismatch Between U.S. Protected Lands and Biodiversity Priorities

“This is the most important scientific report of at least the last decade on the distribution of America’s parks and biodiversity.”—E.O. Wilson

A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) reveals that America’s National Parks and protected areas fail to cover many areas with high levels of biodiversity. The new analysis maps the geographic distribution of more than 1,200 endemic U.S. species. The authors emphasize that the Southeast is a high priority and should be better protected.

Species richness maps for US endemics. Compare with map of protected lands, below.

U.S. Protected Lands, with their IUCN classifications. Compare with endemism maps, above.

Read the full paper, “U.S. Protected Lands Mismatch Biodiversity Priorities,” by Clinton N. Jenkins, Kyle S. Van Houtan, Stuart L. Pimm, and Joseph O. Sexton, and edited by E.O. Wilson, here

Media Coverage

Read a review of the paper and see some interactive graphics showing the protected areas versus the diversity of various classes of organisms: “These Maps Reveal How the U.S. Is Failing to Protect Its Wildlife” (Peter Aldhous, Buzzfeed, April 6, 2015)

“The U.S. Could Save Its Unique Wildlife by Protecting 9 Areas” (Jason G. Goldman, Conservation: The Source for Environmental Intelligence, University of Washington, April 8, 2015)

“Study: We Need More Reserves to Save U.S. Species from Extinction” (Noah Greenwald, Huffington Post, April 8, 2015)