Protected area personnel and ranger numbers are insufficient to deliver global expectations

Abstract

The 2020 global spatial targets for protected areas set by the Convention on Biological Diversity have almost been achieved, but management effectiveness remains deficient. Personnel shortages are widely cited as major contributing factors but have not previously been quantified. Using data from 176 countries and territories, we estimate a current maximum of 555,000 terrestrial protected area personnel worldwide (one per 37 km2), including 286,000 rangers (one per 72 km2), far short of published guidance on required densities. Expansion by 2030 to 30% coverage of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures is widely agreed as a minimum for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services. We project that effective management of this expanded system will require approximately 3 million personnel (one per 13 km2), including more than 1.5 million rangers or equivalents (one per 26 km2). Parallel improvements in resourcing, working conditions and capacity are required for effective, equitable and sustainable management.

Economics of conservation law enforcement by rangers across Asia

“…Importantly, our study showed that ranger density has also decreased by 2.4-fold since the mid-1990s, from a median of 92.0 (IQR 59.0-186.0) (James et al, 1999) to 37.9 (IQR 29.7-57.5) rangers per 1000 km 2 PA across selected countries. In contrast, the maximum global PA personnel density is the same as that reported in the 1990s (Appleton et al, 2022;James et al, 1999). We, therefore, conclude that Asia is a relatively underperforming continent in terms of investing in ranger numbers, and many Asian countries were not able to maintain their past ranger density.…”

“…Although "effective and equitable management" was also emphasized in previous biodiversity targets, known as Aichi Targets (CBD, 2010). However, knowledge of management effectiveness using ranger-based law enforcement largely remains deficient (Appleton et al, 2022;Moore et al, 2018). Therefore, achieving new post-2020 agreements and targets needs to be informed by past performance, not least because this indicates the likelihood of future success.…”

“…The effective management of PAs, however, depends greatly upon resources available for their management (Appleton et al., 2022; Coad et al., 2019; Graham et al., 2021). Conservation law enforcement is an essential component for ensuring the effectiveness through reducing illegal activities, and this is often the responsibility of rangers (Critchlow et al., 2015; Kuiper et al., 2020; WWF, 2019).…”

Governance paradox: implications from Japan’s national parks for managing complex protected areas

“…This approach is especially prevalent in the “hollow government” discourse, which criticizes excessive privatization under New Public Management and emphasizes the role of governments in environmental policies and regulations (Steinzor 2007 ; Flournoy 2011 ). In the context of biodiversity conservation, Appleton et al ( 2022 ) argued that the number of PA personnel and rangers is far less than expected to achieve global biodiversity targets, and called for improvements in resourcing. The role of the government is highly expected in transboundary conservation, such as transboundary fisheries, migratory birds, and wildlife trade (Cullis-Suzuki and Pauly 2010 ; Amano et al 2018 ; Borzee et al 2020 ).…”

“…Although most PPPs are suggested to fill the capacity gaps, adequate capacity to coordinate different organizations and stakeholders is required. We consider that the CBD Post-2020 Framework represented by the “30 by 30” target is an excellent opportunity to emphasize the necessary resource provision and initiatives, as argued in Appleton et al ( 2022 ). Further elaboration of the sample size and case studies are required to verify the “governance paradox” phenomenon.…”