'Site conservation is among the most effective means to reduce global biodiversity loss. Therefore, it is critical to identify those sites where unique biodiversity must be conserved immediately. To this end, the concept of key biodiversity areas (KBAs) has been developed, seeking to identify and, ultimately, ensure that networks of globally important sites are safeguarded. This methodology builds up from the identification of species conservation targets (through the IUCN Red List) and nests within larger-scale conservation approaches. Sites are selected using standardized, globally applicable, threshold-based criteria, driven by the distribution and population of species that require site-level conservation. The criteria address the two key issues for setting site conservation priorities: vulnerability and irreplaceability. We also propose quantitative thresholds for the identification of KBAs meeting each criterion, based on a review of existing approaches and ecological theory to date. However, these thresholds require extensive testing, especially in aquatic systems.'
from by Güven Eken et al., 2004, BioScience, Volume 54, Issue 12, 1 December 2004, Pages 1110–1118.
from by Güven Eken et al., 2004, BioScience, Volume 54, Issue 12, 1 December 2004, Pages 1110–1118.
In 2016, BirdLife International, on behalf of BirdLife Australia and 120 other bird conservation NGOs worldwide, signed up to a partnership of 11 leading, global conservation organisations to agree on a consistent approach to identifying and protecting the world's nature hotspots: KBAs.
The new KBA Standard consolidates approaches to conservation under one "umbrella", empowering environmental NGOs like BirdLife Australia to advocate for better policy protection and management of our most important places for nature.
Australia has 315 KBAs, not all of which are significant to migratory shorebirds. For a map of Australia's KBAs and to see if there is one near you, click here.
The new KBA Standard consolidates approaches to conservation under one "umbrella", empowering environmental NGOs like BirdLife Australia to advocate for better policy protection and management of our most important places for nature.
Australia has 315 KBAs, not all of which are significant to migratory shorebirds. For a map of Australia's KBAs and to see if there is one near you, click here.