In the era of the Sixth Mass Extinction, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and hunting are all contributing to biodiversity loss – wildlife and plant populations are diminishing at an unprecedented pace.

The Nature Conservation Index (NCI) is a valuable tool for assessing the effectiveness of countries’ conservation efforts.

The NCI uses 25 key indicators to provide an unadjusted, straightforward look at biodiversity and conservation across 180 countries. It examines various factors like protected area coverage, species at risk, conservation laws, and future trends. This detailed view helps us spot problems, track progress, and make better decisions about protecting our planet and promoting sustainable development, ultimately supporting a more effective global approach to biodiversity protection and sustainable development.

How We Build This Index

The Nature Conservation Index uses four key pillars and a framework of 25 performance indicators to provide a detailed, quantitative analysis of biodiversity and sustainability. The parameters cover a wide range of factors, including protected area coverage, species threat levels, conservation legislation, and projections of future trends.

To obtain nuanced insights into the state of biodiversity, we took into account these four pillars:

1. Land Management

This evaluation aims to assess countries’ efforts in effectively managing and conserving their terrestrial and marine ecosystems. It consists of seven indicators such as % Protected Area (PA) coverage of terrestrial areas, Protected area representativeness , % Marine Protected Area (MPA) coverage of national waters and EEZs, Fragmentation / Connectedness, % converted land (urban, industrial, agricultural), sustainable Nitrogen pesticide use.

The ultimate goal is to provide an assessment of how well countries are balancing development and conservation of their land and marine resources.

2. Threats to Biodiversity

This pillar uses nine main indicators to measure how countries are working to protect wildlife and their habitats. These assess the proportion of species at risk, the extent of species protection by protected areas, and trends in declining species populations.

They also consider the specific efforts being made to conserve different species and evaluate the condition of fish populations in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), as well as the impact of fisheries pressure in the High Seas. Lastly, we rank the extent to which invasive species are causing problems for local ecosystems.

Overall, a detailed overview of efforts to conserve species and manage biodiversity is represented.

3. Capacity and Governance

Does the country have the right tools, resources, and systems in place, i.e., the strength and effectiveness of a country’s conservation management?

It includes indicators such as how much is spent on conservation relative to the country’s GDP, the impact of conservation-related cultural values and laws, and whether the country has signed global environmental agreements like CBD and CITES. Political stability and the effectiveness of the government are also important for implementing and enforcing conservation policies. Low levels of corruption are necessary for proper fund utilization. Government effectiveness, democracy, population growth, and human development are also considered.

These factors show how strong governance is in dealing with conservation and sustainability issues.

4. Future Trends

This pillar focuses on predicting and preparing for future conservation challenges. It includes Yale’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which helps project how well countries are expected to manage their environmental responsibilities in the future. This factor allows countries to stay on track with their conservation and sustainability goals and helps them predict and plan for upcoming difficulties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nature Conservation Index (NCI)?

The Nature Conservation Index (NCI) is a tool that shows how well countries are protecting their natural environments. It covers 194 countries and looks at various factors like the number of plants and animals, the health of habitats, and the effectiveness of conservation programs.

The NCI helps us to identify what’s working and where improvements are needed. This helps inform better decisions for protecting our planet’s biodiversity and natural resources.

How is the NCI calculated?

To create the NCI, we gathered data from trusted sources like the IUCN and the World Bank. We used this data to measure and analyze key areas such as land management, species protection, governance, and future trends mapped into 25 parameters:

Land Management

• Coverage of protected areas (terrestrial and marine)
• Representativeness of protected areas
• Connectedness of landscapes (fragmentation)
• Extent of converted land (urban, industrial, agricultural)
• Sustainable practices in nitrogen and pesticide use

Threats to Biodiversity

• Proportion of species threatened as per the Red List
• Coverage of species by protected areas
• Species with declining populations
• State of fisheries within exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and high seas (international waters)
• Pressures from invasive species

Capacity and Governance

• Total management cost as a percentage of GDP
• Engagement with conservation issues (Culturomics)
• Strength of conservation legislation
• Ratification and implementation of global agreements like the CBD and CITES
• Indicators of political stability, corruption control, government effectiveness, and democracy levels

Future Trends

• Forecasts based on environmental and conservation indices like Yale’s Environmental Performance Index (EFI)

This structured approach helps quantify and enhance understanding of how well nations are performing in preserving their natural environments.

What can the NCI be used for?

The Nature Conservation Index (NCI) serves several valuable purposes, making it a crucial tool for a wide array of stakeholders in environmental conservation, policy-making, and education. Here are some of the primary uses of the NCI:

•  Policy Development and Evaluation: Governments can use the NCI to design new environmental policies and assess the effectiveness of existing ones. The data-driven approach helps understand which strategies are working and which need to be rethought or improved.
  
• Resource Allocation: The NCI can guide the allocation of funding and resources to conservation projects. Regions or aspects of conservation that score lower on the index might receive prioritized attention and resources to boost their conservation efforts.
  
• Environmental Education and Awareness: Educators and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can use the NCI to raise public awareness about the environment’s state and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. It provides a factual basis for educational programs and campaigns.
  
• International Cooperation: The NCI’s global scope facilitates international collaboration by providing a common framework for evaluating conservation efforts. Countries can compare their progress, share successful strategies, and coordinate international conservation initiatives.
  
• Research and Development: Researchers and academics can utilize the NCI for biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability studies. The comprehensive data it provides can support a wide range of research projects.
  
• Benchmarking and Reporting: The NCI allows countries to benchmark their progress against global standards and other nations. This benchmarking can be crucial for internal assessments and reporting to international bodies.
  
• Promoting Transparency and Accountability: By providing clear metrics on conservation outcomes, the NCI promotes transparency in implementing environmental policies and holds governments and organizations accountable for their conservation commitments.
  
• Enhancing Public Engagement: By making conservation data accessible and understandable, the NCI can empower citizens and local communities to engage more actively in conservation efforts and policy advocacy.

The NCI merges data with expert opinions, generating overall scores for countries to provide a clear understanding of the successes and gaps in global conservation efforts.

How often is the Index updated?

Annually. This schedule allows for incorporating the latest data across the various metrics it covers, such as biodiversity levels, land management practices, and policy changes, while giving time for thorough analysis and review.

Regular updates are crucial to ensure that the index remains relevant and accurately reflects current conditions and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. They also help policymakers, researchers, and the public to stay informed about trends and progress in nature conservation.

Can the public contribute data to the NCI?

Yes. The public can contribute data to the Nature Conservation Index (NCI). We welcome revisions and suggestions, provided that the data submitted includes proper citations and sources. This approach allows for a more comprehensive and diverse data set, enhancing the index’s accuracy and relevance. 

How can I get involved in supporting the goals of the NCI?

Supporting the Nature Conservation Index (NCI) goals can be achieved through various avenues, depending on your interests and capabilities. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the issues addressed by the NCI and share your knowledge with others. Awareness is a crucial first step in conservation efforts, and informed citizens can significantly impact.
  
• Participate in Local Conservation Projects: Get involved with local NGOs or community groups focusing on conservation efforts. By participating in tree planting events, wildlife monitoring, or community clean-ups, you can directly contribute to the goals of the NCI and make a positive impact on your community.
  
• Advocate for Policies: Support and advocate for policies that align with the NCI’s conservation goals. This could involve writing to your local representatives, participating in public consultations on environmental issues, or supporting environmental organizations in their advocacy efforts.
  
• Support Environmental Education: Promote and support environmental education in schools and communities to help foster a new generation of conservation-minded individuals. Education is critical to long-term changes in attitudes and behaviors towards biodiversity and conservation.
  
• Donate or Fundraise: Financial support is crucial for many conservation projects. Donating to or fundraising for organizations that contribute to the NCI can help expand their reach and impact.
  
• Corporate Responsibility: If you are part of a business, you can advocate for sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and support biodiversity conservation. This could also involve corporate partnerships with conservation projects or incorporating sustainability goals that align with the NCI’s objectives.
  
•  Volunteer: Many conservation organizations need volunteers for various tasks, from fieldwork to data analysis. Volunteering your time and skills can make a direct impact on conservation efforts.
  
• Stay Informed! Keep up to date with updates from the NCI and related conservation efforts. Understanding the dynamic nature of conservation challenges and successes will help you remain an effective advocate and participant.

Who are we?

Nature Conservation Index is a collaboration of the The Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and non-profit website BioDB.com.

The Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is dedicated to advancing research and education in the fields of environmental science, sustainability, and climate change. With nearly 200 scientists, the school promotes interdisciplinary research and educational activities that integrate engineering, health, natural, and social sciences to tackle pressing global environmental challenges. The school aims to develop innovative solutions for sustainable development and foster collaborations between academia, industry, and policymakers.

Contact us here: nci@biodb.com