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Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve No Net Loss goals.

ABSTRACT: Many nations use ecological compensation policies to address negative impacts of development projects and achieve No Net Loss (NNL) of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet, failures are widely reported. We use spatial simulation models to quantify potential net impacts of alternative compensation policies on biodiversity (indicated by native vegetation) and two ecosystem services (carbon storage, sediment retention) across four case studies (in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Mozambique). No policy achieves NNL of biodiversity in any case study. Two factors limit their potential success: the land available for compensation (existing vegetation to protect or cleared land to restore), and expected counterfactual biodiversity losses (unregulated vegetation clearing). Compensation also fails to slow regional biodiversity declines because policies regulate only a subset of sectors, and expanding policy scope requires more land than is available for compensation activities. Avoidance of impacts remains essential in achieving NNL goals, particularly once opportunities for compensation are exhausted.

SUBMITTER: Sonter LJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7190705 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve No Net Loss goals.

Sonter Laura J LJ Simmonds Jeremy S JS Watson James E M JEM Jones Julia P G JPG Kiesecker Joseph M JM Costa Hugo M HM Bennun Leon L Edwards Stephen S Grantham Hedley S HS Griffiths Victoria F VF Jones Kendall K Sochi Kei K Puydarrieux Philippe P Quétier Fabien F Rainer Helga H Rainey Hugo H Roe Dilys D Satar Musnanda M Soares-Filho Britaldo S BS Starkey Malcolm M Ten Kate Kerry K Victurine Ray R von Hase Amrei A Wells Jessie A JA Maron Martine M

Nature communications 20200429 1

Many nations use ecological compensation policies to address negative impacts of development projects and achieve No Net Loss (NNL) of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet, failures are widely reported. We use spatial simulation models to quantify potential net impacts of alternative compensation policies on biodiversity (indicated by native vegetation) and two ecosystem services (carbon storage, sediment retention) across four case studies (in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Mozambique). No p ...[more]

PMID: 32350288

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Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve No Net Loss goals.

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Local conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve No Net Loss goals.

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