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The causal revolution in biodiversity conservation

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Causal inference is needed to understand whether conservation is working. There is a substantial role for behavioural science, as interventions often depend on behaviour change. A focus on design over data, embracing mixed methods and support from funders will help to provide the evidence needed to reverse biodiversity loss.

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Fig. 1: Spectrum of conservation interventions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank D. Verissimo, E. J. Milner-Gulland, Conservation Evidence, R. Evans, G. Nicholson, H. Wauchope, E. Pynegar and C. Krekel for valuable discussion, and The Oxford Martin School and Jesus College Oxford for support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK

    Julia P. G. Jones

  2. Ecology and Biodiversity Group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Julia P. G. Jones

  3. Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

    Ganga Shreedhar

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  1. Julia P. G. Jones
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  2. Ganga Shreedhar
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Correspondence to Julia P. G. Jones.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Jones, J.P.G., Shreedhar, G. The causal revolution in biodiversity conservation. Nat Hum Behav (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01897-6

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