This book addresses the effectiveness of existing protected areas at conserving the diversity of genes, species and ecosystems on land and at sea. Though a number of sustainable development initiatives have been put in place to try to avert global biodiversity crises, few publications exist that focus on applying the targets of the UN Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) in the context of protected areas primarily designated for the conservation of biodiversity. The book reviews and synthesizes current methods used to assess protected area effectiveness in this regard, drawing on case studies from around the world demonstrating successes and failures, and provides region-specific results for land and sea ecosystems and for developed and developing countries. The work is timely, since there is growing concern on the global climate and biodiversity crisis among researchers, government organizations and the general public, and as demonstrated by the 2030 targets established by the UN SDGs for Life Below Water (SDG 14) and Life On land (SDG15). The main intended audiences of the book will be academics, from post-graduate students to university lecturers and senior researchers in the fields of biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and environmental policy, as well as protected area managers and practitioners.weiterlesen