Academic Journal

High-resolution naturalness mapping can support conservation policy objectives and identify locations for strongly protected areas in France

Bibliographic Details
Title: High-resolution naturalness mapping can support conservation policy objectives and identify locations for strongly protected areas in France
Authors: Jonathan Carruthers-Jones, Adrien Guetté, Steve Carver, Thierry Lefebvre, Daniel Vallauri, Laure Debeir, Toby Aykroyd, Christian Barthod, Pascal Cavallin, Sophie Vallée, Fabienne Benest, Erwan Cherel, Zoltan Kun, Olivier Debuf
Source: Communications Earth & Environment, Vol 6, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2025)
Publisher Information: Nature Portfolio, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Geology
LCC:Environmental sciences
Subject Terms: Geology, QE1-996.5, Environmental sciences, GE1-350
Description: Abstract Intact natural landscapes are essential to both biodiversity conservation efforts and human well-being but are increasingly threatened and lack sufficient protection. Bold National and International protected area targets aim to address this problem, yet the question remains – where will these areas be located? Using France as a case study, we present a high-resolution method to map naturalness potential. The resulting map, CARTNAT, performs well at identifying areas which have already been recognised as worthy of strong protection, under both National and International designations, however, only 1% of the top 10% of high naturalness areas in France are currently strongly protected. CARTNAT is already being used to highlight potential sites for new protected areas supporting the French National Strategy for Protected Areas to 2030. We argue that spatially informed participatory decision making of this type has the potential to deliver on national and international protected area policy objectives.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2662-4435
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2662-4435
DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02160-0
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/75ef3184d8c64d0ba3f52fa58f7013dd
Accession Number: edsdoj.75ef3184d8c64d0ba3f52fa58f7013dd
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
ISSN:26624435
DOI:10.1038/s43247-025-02160-0