Key conservation actions for European steppes in the context of the Post‑2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Abstract

et al.The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM–GBF) envisions a world living in harmony with nature by 2050, with 23 intermediate targets to be achieved by 2030. However, aligning international policy and national and local implementation of effective actions can be challenging. Using steppe birds, one of the most threatened vertebrate groups in Europe, as a model system, we identified 36 conservation actions for the achievement of the KM–GBF targets and we singled out—through an expert-based consensus approach—ten priority actions for immediate implementation. Three of these priority actions address at least five of the first eight KM–GBF targets, those related to the direct causes of biodiversity loss, and collectively cover all the targets when implemented concurrently. These actions include (i) effectively protecting priority areas, (ii) implementing on-the-ground habitat management actions, and (iii) improving the quality and integration of monitoring programmes. Our findings provide a blueprint for implementing effective strategies to halt biodiversity loss in steppe-like ecosystems. Our approach can be adapted to other taxonomic groups and ecosystems and has the potential to serve as a catalyst for policy-makers, prompting a transition from political commitment to tangible actions, thereby facilitating the attainment of the KM–GBF targets by 2030.This study was carried out with no public or private funding as part of the commitment of the recently created “Grupo de Investigación en Aves Esteparias—Grupo de Investigação em Aves Estepárias (GIAE)” to improve the current status of steppe birds and ecosystems in Europe. CPG acknowledges the support from Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional through the Beatriz Galindo Fellowship (Beatriz Galindo—2020 call). ATM was funded by the project NORTE-01-0246-FEDER-000063, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). JG was supported by a postdoc scholarship (BIOPOLIS 2022–13). ABL was supported by a Ramón y Cajal grant (RYC2021-031737-I) funded by MCIN/AEI/https:// doi. org/10.13039/ 50110 00110 33 and the EU (“NextGenerationEU”/PRTR). RT was funded by the project ‘CLU-2019-01—iuFOR Institute Unit of Excellence’ of the University of Valladolid, funded by the Junta de Castilla and co-financed by the European Union (ERDF ‘Europe drives our growth’). This paper is a contribution by MD and EDC to the PTI AGRIAMBIO, partially financed by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture. The paper contributes to the ELECTROSTEPPE Project (TED2021-130352B-I00), funded by MCIN/AEI/https:// doi. org/ 10.13039/ 50110 00110 33 and the European Union (“NextGenerationEU”/PRTR)Peer reviewe