Eric C. Palm, Clayton D. Apps, Tal Avgar, Melanie Dickie, Bruce N. McLellan, Joseph M. Northrup, Michael A. Sawaya, Julie W. Turner, Jesse Whittington, Erin L. Landguth, Katherine A. Zeller, Clayton T. Lamb
{"title":"Changing grizzly bear space use and functional connectivity in response to human disturbance in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains","authors":"Eric C. Palm, Clayton D. Apps, Tal Avgar, Melanie Dickie, Bruce N. McLellan, Joseph M. Northrup, Michael A. Sawaya, Julie W. Turner, Jesse Whittington, Erin L. Landguth, Katherine A. Zeller, Clayton T. Lamb","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70088","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70088","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Understanding wildlife responses to human disturbance is essential for developing effective conservation and management strategies. Grizzly bears in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains face increasing habitat alteration from roads, forest harvest, human settlements, and mining, which can alter the way animals move through the landscape. Deleterious effects on genetic exchange, demographic connectivity, and access to key resources can occur if movements are dramatically altered. We used integrated step-selection functions (iSSF) to model movement and habitat selection for 109 GPS-collared grizzly bears across an 85,000 km<sup>2</sup> multi-use landscape in southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta. We then simulated individual grizzly bear movements from fitted iSSFs to predict changes in population-level space use and functional connectivity under the following scenarios: (1) without current levels of human disturbance, (2) under current conditions, and (3) with a defined increase in human disturbance. Bears avoided crossing highways but were attracted to areas alongside highways in areas with relatively low forage availability at a broad spatial scale, such as in Banff National Park and the Kananaskis region. Females generally avoided moving through towns in spring and summer, while males were more likely to do so. Additional footprints of proposed mines and expanded human settlements in a potential future scenario were predicted to further decrease functional connectivity for grizzly bears on top of prior connectivity losses from existing human disturbance. Our study builds upon existing work simulating animal space use from fitted iSSFs by incorporating individual-level variation into population-level simulations and by fitting functional responses that help capture broad-scale variation in behavior and improve model transferability to new areas. Our results provide insights into grizzly bear movement and connectivity in an area of high conservation importance, and our predictive maps can be used to directly inform transboundary management actions and conservation planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70088","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144832979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Martin Jung, Vanessa M. Adams, Diogo Alagador, Jorge G. Álvarez-Romero, Miguel B. Araujo, Anni Arponen, Maria Beger, Jutta Beher, Silvia B. Carvalho, Sylvaine Giakoumi, Jeffrey O. Hanson, Virgilio Hermoso, Kerstin Jantke, Heini Kujala, Jennifer McGowan, Anna Metaxas, Louise O'Connor, Jose Salgado-Rojas, Richard Schuster, Bob Smith, Piero Visconti
{"title":"An interoperable and standardized protocol for reporting systematic conservation planning projects","authors":"Martin Jung, Vanessa M. Adams, Diogo Alagador, Jorge G. Álvarez-Romero, Miguel B. Araujo, Anni Arponen, Maria Beger, Jutta Beher, Silvia B. Carvalho, Sylvaine Giakoumi, Jeffrey O. Hanson, Virgilio Hermoso, Kerstin Jantke, Heini Kujala, Jennifer McGowan, Anna Metaxas, Louise O'Connor, Jose Salgado-Rojas, Richard Schuster, Bob Smith, Piero Visconti","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70097","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70097","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Systematic conservation planning (SCP) is an operational and scientific framework that assists in deciding where, how, and when to implement conservation intervention. Studies using SCP approaches have proliferated due to their immediate relevance for applied conservation. For example, they can help identify cost-effective opportunities for expanding areas under conservation management to achieve high-level policy goals such as those of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Yet SCP can be conducted in various ways, and results can vary depending on problem formulation, parameterizations, contexts, and prioritization approaches. There is a need to facilitate comparison of SCP studies to understand key criteria and assumptions made in the planning process. Here, we propose a standardized reporting protocol for SCP that is readily applicable across study aims, realms, and spatial scales. The new Overview and Design Protocol for Systematic Conservation Planning (ODPSCP) describes the key steps from the design to the computational stages of SCP. It enables researchers, scientific editors, and decision- and policymakers to assess the scope and comprehensiveness of SCP exercises. To facilitate uptake and ease of reporting, the protocol is openly available through an interactive web interface and which can be further enhanced following methodological advancements in conservation planning. We encourage the conservation community to adopt the reporting protocol to promote transparency and reproducibility, standardized reporting as well as facilitate peer review and independent evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70097","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144647828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elena Cini, Alicia Teresa Rosario Acosta, Marco Malavasi, Simona Sarmati, Silvia Del Vecchio, Daniela Ciccarelli, Flavio Marzialetti
{"title":"Long-term dynamics of coastal dune landscapes and habitat diversity: Insights from a quarter century of resurveys in Castelporziano Presidential Estate","authors":"Elena Cini, Alicia Teresa Rosario Acosta, Marco Malavasi, Simona Sarmati, Silvia Del Vecchio, Daniela Ciccarelli, Flavio Marzialetti","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70101","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70101","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Coastal dunes are dynamic ecosystems vulnerable to human impact. Traditional monitoring relies on costly field surveys, but high-resolution satellite imagery offers an efficient alternative. This study integrates remote sensing (RS) and field data to analyze vegetation and landscape changes over 25 years in the highly protected Castelporziano Presidential Estate. We examined three habitat groups—Herbaceous Dune Vegetation (HDV), Woody Dune Vegetation (WDV), and Broadleaf Mixed Forest (BMF)—using 58 resurveyed plots and land cover maps. Landscape dynamics and vegetation compositional changes were assessed, and temporal patterns were calculated for three buffer sizes (25, 75, and 125 m), using Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and differences in landscape metrics. Random forest models evaluated the relationship between landscape and vegetation compositional changes. The results revealed a reduction in artificial surfaces, greater vegetation encroachment, and clear signs of natural succession. HDV exhibited a shift toward grassland species, reflecting ongoing changes in vegetation composition. WDV experienced the most pronounced compositional change, while BMF showed signs of structural homogenization. Habitat proportion emerged as the strongest predictor of compositional changes, especially at the finest scale. These findings confirm the value of combining RS and field data for long-term monitoring and provide useful insights for managing coastal dune habitats.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70101","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Spatial conservation priorities for marine megafaunal predators: Multi-taxon versus taxon-specific approaches","authors":"Elizabeth Boyse, Simon J. Goodman, Maria Beger","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70092","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70092","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Marine megafaunal predators are globally threatened by anthropogenic stressors, but are key for ecosystem functioning. Their worsening conservation statuses indicate that current management is failing, requiring us to urgently reassess their conservation needs to ensure their survival. Their life histories, threats, and resource needs are diverse. Consequently, spatial conservation areas targeting all species will likely overlook such heterogeneity, contributing to the problem. Here, we model 42 marine megafaunal predator species distributions (marine mammals, elasmobranchs, teleost fishes) in the Mediterranean Sea using available biodiversity data to highlight diversity among species richness gradients for separate taxonomic groups. Secondly, we employ the Marxan spatial planning decision-making tool to identify priority conservation areas for the different taxonomic groups and quantify overlap with the current marine protected area (MPA) system. Different marine megafaunal predator taxonomic groups had heterogeneous distributions, resulting in drastically different spatial conservation priority areas. None of the marine megafaunal predators are sufficiently covered by Mediterranean MPAs (<30% coverage), with marine mammals being the least protected despite having the greatest designated MPA extent, highlighting disconnects between conservation goals and current management outcomes. To conserve marine megafaunal predators, taxon-specific ecological requirements and resulting spatial heterogeneity need to be accounted for in marine spatial planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70092","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fernando M. Contreras-Moreno, Lizardo Cruz-Romo, Daniel Jesús-Espinosa, Khiavett G. Sánchez-Pinzón, Víctor Sánchez-Cordero, Beatriz C. Luna-Olivera, José J. Flores-Martínez, Mario C. Lavariega
{"title":"Population trends of jaguars in a tropical forest in southern Mexico","authors":"Fernando M. Contreras-Moreno, Lizardo Cruz-Romo, Daniel Jesús-Espinosa, Khiavett G. Sánchez-Pinzón, Víctor Sánchez-Cordero, Beatriz C. Luna-Olivera, José J. Flores-Martínez, Mario C. Lavariega","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70091","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70091","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Jaguars are the largest carnivores in the Neotropics with high conservation priority. Population trends of top predators such as jaguars provide valuable information on demography, use of habitats, and individual interactions, which serve to establish conservation and management actions. We studied spatiotemporal population trends of jaguars in a tropical rainforest in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR) located in southern Mexico. We used sex-structured open capture–recapture models (OSCR) to estimate jaguar population density related to environmental variables and overlap of individual activity centers to evaluate their spatial interactions. To measure the overlap in the circadian activity, a kernel estimator was used, and intervals of time among pairs of co-occurrences were analyzed to detect spatiotemporal associations between individuals. The population density of jaguars was 1.03 individuals/100 km<sup>2</sup> (0.59 and 0.44 individuals/100 km<sup>2</sup> for males and females, respectively). Capture probabilities differed between males and females probably due to differences in their use of human-made trails. Despite temporal variations in population density and individual activity centers, these appeared to have no effect on parameters. Instead, we observed a relationship between (1) distance to roads and detection, (2) net primary productivity and movement, and (3) distance to borders and population density. Temporal circadian overlap showed low values between sexes, although slightly higher values were observed in the rainy seasons. Overall, we found jaguars segregating in space and time. We highlight the importance of the CBR in maintaining continuous suitable habitat and reducing edge effects detrimental to jaguar population density.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70091","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Protected area targets: Spatially evaluating progress and prioritizing areas to reach 30 × 30 in Canada","authors":"Jessica Currie, Chris Liang, James Snider","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70087","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70087","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Protected and conserved areas (PCAs) continue to be a cornerstone of nature conservation, with several international agreements and frameworks setting targets to increase their global coverage. However, the focus on area-based expansion has resulted in drawbacks related to the quality of PCAs, including widespread gaps in species protection and connectivity. Here, we temporally evaluate progress in terrestrial and freshwater PCA coverage in Canada and associated biophysical component indicators (i.e., ProtConn, Species Protection Index, Key Biodiversity Area [KBA] coverage) under Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Our analysis reveals progress made from 2010 to 2022, while outlining gaps where accelerated action is needed to deliver upon both the quantity and quality of PCAs. Large gaps in PCA coverage and associated Target 3 component indicators were prevalent in the Northern Arctic, Prairie and Mixedwood Plains ecozones. Further, we systematically prioritize areas for protection that could maximize targets for headline and component indicators under Target 3 of the GBF. Our findings build upon a history of spatial conservation efforts in Canada and offers a novel lens—contextualized within the commitments of the GBF—to advance conservation planning and implementation for achieving 30% protection by 2030 nationally.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70087","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144647740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Peter Contos, Emma Gorrod, Karen Caves, Ian Oliver, Josh W. Dorrough
{"title":"How variation among field assessments can affect biodiversity offset outcomes","authors":"Peter Contos, Emma Gorrod, Karen Caves, Ian Oliver, Josh W. Dorrough","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70096","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70096","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Biodiversity offsetting aims to balance biodiversity loss at development sites with gains at offset sites. Measurement of loss and gain relies on transparent and repeatable estimates of biodiversity values. However, these estimates are often derived from field assessments by people who differ in their interpretation and measurement of biodiversity, either randomly or systematically. Variation among people during field assessments may therefore impact offset outcomes and contribute to uncertainty around the effectiveness of biodiversity offset schemes. Here, we describe variation in loss, gain, and offset outcomes using concurrent assessments by five assessors on eight sites using a multi-metric biodiversity valuation method from New South Wales, Australia. We found variation among assessors was high for field estimates but substantially decreased for current biodiversity valuations. However, variation increased for the prediction of future biodiversity gains, in the calculation of the required offset area, and contributed an average of 19% variation in development credits (biodiversity loss) and 34% variation in offset credits (biodiversity gain). Evidence of systematic bias among observers for some attributes added further uncertainty to offset outcomes. Our study reveals the need for improved assessor training and field methods to improve assessment consistency, transparency, and reduce offset outcome variability.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70096","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144832945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chris Taylor, Kita Ashman, Michelle Ward, Hugh Possingham, David B. Lindenmayer
{"title":"Have significant biodiversity values been protected from industrial logging across Australia?","authors":"Chris Taylor, Kita Ashman, Michelle Ward, Hugh Possingham, David B. Lindenmayer","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70089","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70089","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Much of the planet's forest biodiversity is at risk from a range of threats. Threats include gaps in the protected area network and instances where these gaps are subject to intensive industrial logging. These gaps are referred to as optimal areas for protection and we sought to determine if certification schemes maintained the environmental values of these areas across Australia. To do this, we identified gaps within the existing protected area network across Australia that were optimal areas for protecting forest- and woodland-dependent species of national environmental significance. We intersected our results with spatial records of logging between 2007 and 2023 in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales that have been awarded certification under the Responsible Wood scheme. We found a large proportion of logging in Victoria and New South Wales occurred within high scoring optimal areas for protecting species of national environmental significance. We conclude that certification schemes are likely failing to meet their stated objectives to adequately maintain the environmental values of optimal areas for protection from the most intensive forms of logging. Reform of Australia's certification schemes and a significant expansion of protected forest areas is urgently needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70089","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144832946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Parag Kadam, Alejandro Bolques, Alex Harvey, Alton Perry, Sherwynn Best, Danielle Atkins, Felicia Burke, Lincoln Larson, Erica Rieder, Kayla Stukes, Sam Cook, Ben Graham, Troy Bowman, Wayde Morse, Ben Garber, Sarah Hitchner, Puneet Dwivedi
{"title":"‘Planning over programs’: Challenges and opportunities affecting the participation of underserved producers in the conservation reserve program across the southeastern United States","authors":"Parag Kadam, Alejandro Bolques, Alex Harvey, Alton Perry, Sherwynn Best, Danielle Atkins, Felicia Burke, Lincoln Larson, Erica Rieder, Kayla Stukes, Sam Cook, Ben Graham, Troy Bowman, Wayde Morse, Ben Garber, Sarah Hitchner, Puneet Dwivedi","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70083","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70083","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Black and female agricultural producers (farmland owners and operators) have traditionally been proportionally underrepresented and underserved in federal conservation programs. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), one of the largest conservation programs for private producers, had only 3.5% of participants from underserved populations in 2022. Increasing their participation is not only crucial for addressing historical inequalities but also essential in meeting nationwide conservation goals, especially when the participation of underserved stakeholder groups has been linked to more effective biodiversity restoration and land stewardship across numerous studies. This study employed mixed method analysis and demographic assessments to gain insights into the factors influencing the participation of underserved producers in CRP across six southeastern United States (US). Lack of knowledge about CRP emerged as the most significant challenge, followed by limited resources, lack of trust in the government, onerous program requirements, and other factors such as family or personal issues, or other priorities and motivations not centered on conservation. The study also identified several categories of solutions to increase the participation of underserved producers in CRP, including improving knowledge about the program, enhancing communication, increasing community involvement, and simplifying program requirements. Results indicate that, despite historical disparities in enrollment, Black producers may exhibit a higher likelihood of participation in CRP than White producers once they are aware of and engaged with the program; this is also likely for farm- and pastureland owners and potential operators who do not own land. Finally, the results of the two-sample t-test showed that the familiarity of females was lower than that of males. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing historical knowledge gaps, overcoming resource challenges, building trust, simplifying program requirements, promoting empowerment through community involvement, and fostering conservation motivations to diversify program engagement. To that end, prioritizing proactive and needs-based planning would help to ensure that CRP aligns with community needs and preferences. Strengthening the participation of Black and female producers in CRP simultaneously contributes to the twin goals of conserving environmentally sensitive lands and promoting program access.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70083","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144647178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Max R. Lambert, Simone Des Roches, Daniel A. Auerbach, Braeden Van Deynze, Syler Behrens, Robin Hale, Kenneth B. Pierce
{"title":"Building the neighborhood for the trees: Illuminating win–wins for housing densification and nature","authors":"Max R. Lambert, Simone Des Roches, Daniel A. Auerbach, Braeden Van Deynze, Syler Behrens, Robin Hale, Kenneth B. Pierce","doi":"10.1111/csp2.70085","DOIUrl":"10.1111/csp2.70085","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Housing deficits are pervasive because of multiple factors including insufficient new construction, rising costs, restrictive zoning, and income inequality. Policies to address housing deficits—both through housing densification or sprawl—have varied implications for ecosystem processes, biodiversity, and human well-being. Communities that achieve a given housing density while minimizing ecosystem degradation have been termed “brightspots.” Building on the brightspot concept, we use tree and housing data for western Washington, USA to assess tree:housing “brightening” and “dimming” relationships through time. Our analysis highlights three brightening or dimming pathways: (1) housing density increases with little or no tree cover loss, (2) modest housing density increases with modest or large tree cover losses, and (3) little to no change in housing with tree cover losses. Most neighborhoods show small changes in the tree:housing relationship. While dimming was about three times as common as brightening, most brightening occurred in existing urban areas, emphasizing that housing densification can and does occur while maintaining tree canopy. Our work illustrates policies and pathways to meet housing needs while reducing harm to natural systems and improving human well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":51337,"journal":{"name":"Conservation Science and Practice","volume":"7 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/csp2.70085","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144647179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}