Conserving species' evolutionary potential and history: Opportunities under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Genetic diversity (GD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) respectively represent species' evolutionary potential and history, and support most of the biodiversity benefits to humanity. Yet, these two biodiversity facets have been overlooked in previous biodiversity policies. As the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in December 2022, we analyze how GD and PD are considered in this new framework and discuss how their incorporation in the GBF could strengthen their conservation. Although the inclusion of certain indicators could be elevated, both GD and PD are an integral part of the recently adopted GBF. This represents a significant improvement compared to the CBD strategic plan 2011-2020 and an unprecedented opportunity to bring species' evolutionary potential and history to the core of public biodiversity policies. We urge the scientific community to leverage this opportunity to actually improve the conservation of species' evolutionary potential and history.

Automated summary

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic diversity are representative of species' evolutionary potential and history, and they provide most of the biodiversity benefits to humanity. However, these two aspects have been overlooked in previous biodiversity policies. With the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, we analyze how genetic diversity and phylogenetic diversity are considered and discuss how their incorporation can strengthen conservation efforts. While certain indicators could be improved, both genetic diversity and phylogenetic diversity are integral to the recently adopted framework. This represents a significant improvement compared to the previous CBD strategic plan and an unprecedented opportunity to prioritize species' evolutionary potential and history in public biodiversity policies. We urge the scientific community to seize this opportunity and enhance the conservation of species' evolutionary potential and history.