In recent years, the accelerating loss of global biodiversity has reached alarming levels, prompting scientists and policymakers to explore innovative approaches for conservation. One such approach gaining momentum is the implementation of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), a concept that extends beyond traditional protected areas to embrace a broader spectrum of conservation efforts. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications in 2025 by Brodie et al. delves into the critical role OECMs play in the global effort to safeguard biodiversity, revealing insights that could reshape conservation strategies worldwide.
For decades, protected areas such as national parks, wildlife reserves, and marine sanctuaries have been the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation. Despite their significance, these designated zones alone have proven insufficient in halting biodiversity decline. OECMs emerge as a complementary mechanism that acknowledges the conservation value of areas not formally designated as protected but which nonetheless contribute substantially to biodiversity preservation. These include private lands, Indigenous territories, and community-managed landscapes, which often harbor rich and unique ecosystems.
Brodie and colleagues highlight that OECMs represent a paradigm shift in conservation policy. Rather than focusing solely on legally protected sites, OECMs recognize the diverse governance structures and land-use traditions that foster conservation outcomes. This inclusive approach acknowledges that biodiversity benefits can accrue through a variety of land management practices, including sustainable agriculture, responsible forestry, and traditional resource stewardship. By broadening the scope of conservation to include OECMs, global biodiversity protection can be accelerated in a way that respects cultural, social, and economic dimensions.
The comprehensive analysis by the authors underscores that OECMs are not merely provisional or low-priority areas; instead, they can be highly effective in safeguarding key species and ecosystems. These areas often occur in regions that lack formal protection but perform vital ecological functions such as habitat connectivity, carbon sequestration, and water regulation. The paper demonstrates how OECMs contribute to maintaining ecological networks that underpin resilience to climate change and other anthropogenic pressures, thus playing an indispensable role within the larger conservation mosaic.
One of the study’s key findings reveals the substantial overlap between OECMs and habitats of species threatened with extinction. Through rigorous data synthesis, Brodie et al. show that these non-protected yet conserved areas can harbor endangered flora and fauna, highlighting their conservation value. Recognizing and supporting OECMs can therefore help plug the gaps in biodiversity protection that formal protected areas alone cannot fill, offering a practical and scalable solution to the global biodiversity crisis.
Importantly, the research stresses that effective implementation of OECMs requires robust governance and monitoring frameworks. Without appropriate recognition and support, the conservation benefits of these areas risk being overlooked or undermined. The study calls for integrating OECMs into national and international conservation targets, ensuring their contributions are transparently documented, scientifically validated, and aligned with the goals of global agreements such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The authors further explore the socioeconomic benefits of OECMs, noting that many fall under indigenous or community stewardship. These governance models often embody centuries-old ecological knowledge and sustainable practices, which have preserved biodiversity effectively through generations. Supporting OECMs not only promotes ecological integrity but also enhances the livelihoods, rights, and cultural values of these local stakeholders, fostering equity and inclusion within conservation efforts—an aspect frequently neglected in conventional protected area designations.
This nuanced understanding of OECMs enriches conservation science by revealing how human-nature relationships can function harmoniously at multiple scales. Brodie et al. argue that acknowledging these synergies can galvanize stronger community engagement, improve adaptive management, and reinforce long-term conservation success. The study advocates for innovative financing mechanisms and policy instruments tailored to support the unique circumstances governing OECMs, thereby incentivizing stewardship and ensuring sustainability.
As global biodiversity conventions advance toward more ambitious targets for habitat protection and restoration, the role of OECMs must be recognized as central rather than peripheral. The study illustrates how these measures can collectively contribute significant coverage toward the international goal of protecting 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. This integrated approach could enhance climate mitigation efforts and biodiversity conservation simultaneously, bridging the gap between biodiversity targets and practical land-use realities.
The paper also addresses challenges in standardizing and verifying OECMs. Unlike protected areas with clear legal statuses, OECMs can vary widely in definitions, management quality, and conservation outcomes. Brodie and colleagues advocate for the development of rigorous criteria and global databases to track these areas systematically, ensuring that reported contributions to biodiversity conservation are credible and measurable. Such transparency is crucial for aligning conservation finance and policy incentives with desired ecological outcomes.
From a scientific perspective, the study employs advanced spatial analysis techniques to quantify the extent and biodiversity importance of OECMs globally. By integrating satellite data, species occurrence records, and governance information, the authors provide a comprehensive picture of how these areas complement traditional protected spaces. This novel methodology sets a precedent for future research aiming to quantify biodiversity contributions from diverse land management regimes in a more holistic manner.
Brodie et al. also stress that recognizing OECMs implicates a shift in conservation ethics, moving beyond exclusionary conservation models toward inclusive, participatory management. This shift acknowledges that biodiversity thrives when human communities are empowered as custodians rather than being marginalized or evicted. The study envisions a future where collaborative and culturally sensitive approaches become normative, driving both biodiversity recovery and sustainable development.
Importantly, the research underscores that OECMs are dynamic and evolving conservation instruments. As social and environmental conditions change, so too must governance and management frameworks adapt to ensure ongoing efficacy. The authors emphasize the need for adaptive management, regular evaluation, and integration of scientific advances to maintain and enhance the conservation function of these areas over time. This flexibility represents one of the strengths of OECMs compared to rigid protected area categories.
This comprehensive and insightful study provides critical evidence supporting the expansion and institutionalization of OECMs in global conservation policies. By highlighting their significant, yet often underappreciated, contributions to biodiversity conservation, Brodie and colleagues offer an optimistic pathway to meet urgent conservation targets while fostering equitable human-nature relationships. The integration of OECMs into mainstream conservation planning promises to accelerate progress toward a sustainable and biodiverse planet.
In conclusion, the research by Brodie et al. marks an important milestone in understanding and leveraging the full spectrum of area-based conservation measures necessary to halt biodiversity loss. Their findings serve as a call to action for the international community to embrace innovative, inclusive, and scientifically robust approaches to conservation. Only through such comprehensive strategies that incorporate both protected areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures can the global community hope to secure biodiversity for future generations.
Subject of Research: The role and effectiveness of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in global biodiversity protection.
Article Title: The contribution of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) to protecting global biodiversity.
Article References:
Brodie, J.F., Deith, M.C.M., Burns, P. et al. The contribution of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) to protecting global biodiversity. Nat Commun 16, 7886 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63205-8
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