Protected area targets: Spatially evaluating progress and prioritizing areas to reach 30 × 30 in Canada

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.