Exploring groundbreaking research, Key Biodiversity Areas, and innovative monitoring technologies from premier international conferences on natural products and biodiversity.
What if we discovered that nearly half of Earth's most critical biological treasures remain hidden? A groundbreaking recent study reveals precisely that - approximately 50% of the planet's most essential biodiversity sites have yet to be identified, posing both a crisis and opportunity for global conservation efforts 6 .
of critical biodiversity sites remain unidentified
more KBAs discovered after comprehensive assessment
This startling discovery emerges at a crucial time when researchers worldwide are racing against time to document, understand, and preserve our planet's vanishing biological heritage.
The 5th Brazilian Conference on Natural Products (BCNP) and XXXI Meeting on Micromolecular Evolution, Systematics, and Ecology (RESEM) represents a pivotal gathering where scientists confront these challenges head-on. These joint events have established themselves as premier international meetings for researchers, students, and professionals in the field of natural products and biodiversity 1 .
"We cannot protect what we don't know is there" 6 .
At a time when human activities are driving unprecedented species loss, this conference serves as both tribute and tactical war room, where experts share cutting-edge research and innovative strategies for preserving life's incredible variety.
At the heart of modern conservation science lies the concept of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) - globally significant sites that contain essential populations of species, critical ecosystems, and places of exceptional ecological integrity 6 .
Think of them as biological hotspots that represent irreplaceable treasures of genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. The identification and protection of these areas has become a central focus of international conservation efforts, particularly in support of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030 6 7 .
Modern biodiversity research has moved far beyond the notebook and binoculars of traditional field biology. Today's scientists employ an array of sophisticated tools that are revolutionizing our ability to monitor and understand ecosystems:
This technique involves collecting and analyzing genetic material shed by organisms into their environment through skin cells, secretions, or waste.
Scientists can now identify species present in a water body by simply sampling and sequencing DNA from water samples.
The ARISE project in the Netherlands is building a large-scale species identification system using eDNA, sensors, and AI 3 .Passive acoustic sensors can continuously monitor ecosystems, recording sounds from birds, amphibians, insects, and mammals.
These audio landscapes provide rich data about species presence and behavior.
The MAMBO project is developing AI tools for insect detection and habitat mapping 3 .Advanced sensors on aircraft and satellites can now detect detailed plant characteristics like chlorophyll content, water stress, and photosynthetic capacity.
Enables detailed ecosystem mapping and monitoring at scale.
The AVIS 4 sensor captures over 200 spectral bands with sub-meter resolution 3 .The groundbreaking research that revealed half the world's critical biodiversity sites remain undiscovered employed a rigorous methodological framework 6 . Led by an international team from the Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership, the study examined changes in KBA networks across eleven biodiverse countries in South America, Africa, and the Middle East between 2019 and 2024.
Scientists compiled existing biodiversity information from multiple sources, including the IUCN Red List and Plants of the World Online databases, combined with recent field data 6 .
Unlike earlier efforts that focused primarily on bird species, the team applied KBA criteria to all available species and ecosystem data 6 .
Researchers compared newly identified KBAs with previously recognized sites to determine the degree of overlap and discovery.
Findings were reviewed through expert workshops and validated against ground-truthing efforts in each participating country.
The findings from this exhaustive assessment were striking, revealing that our previous understanding of critical biodiversity locations was remarkably incomplete:
| Region | Increase in Number of KBAs | Increase in Total KBA Area | Previously Unrecognized Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Countries Studied | 70% increase | 164% increase | 54% of all sites |
The dramatic expansion in recognized KBAs after comprehensive assessment underscores the critical importance of thorough, systematic biodiversity evaluation. According to the study, countries that had previously identified some KBAs - mostly for birds - discovered far more extensive and varied networks of vital sites when they applied comprehensive assessment criteria 6 .
Over half of all critical sites occurred largely outside any previously recognized KBAs 6 . This discovery has profound implications for global conservation policy, particularly for the "30x30" target (protecting 30% of the planet by 2030) embraced by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
| Aspect of Conservation | Before Comprehensive Assessment | After Comprehensive Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Protected Area Coverage | Based on incomplete data | Informed by complete biodiversity data |
| Conservation Resources | Potentially misallocated | Can be strategically targeted |
| "30x30" Target Implementation | Likely missing critical areas | Can genuinely protect key biodiversity |
The implications extend beyond terrestrial ecosystems. Similar approaches are being applied to marine environments through projects like MARCO-BOLO, which enhances marine biodiversity monitoring using eDNA and develops indicators for EU marine policy 3 .
Modern biodiversity research relies on an increasingly sophisticated array of reagents and technologies that enable scientists to detect, identify, and monitor species with unprecedented precision and scale.
Collection and preservation of genetic material from environmental samples.
Application: Detecting aquatic species from water samples 3 .Amplification of specific DNA sequences for identification.
Application: Species identification from eDNA 3 .Standardized gene regions for species identification.
Application: Building reference databases for species recognition 3 .Passive monitoring of vocalizing species.
Application: Tracking bats, birds, and amphibians over time 3 .Detection of detailed plant characteristics.
Application: Mapping ecosystem health and plant traits 3 .Monitoring animal movements and migration.
Application: Studying storm petrel ecology (SEAGHOST project) 3 .Market value in 2025
Projected value by 2034
This growth is driven not only by technological advances but by the increasing urgency of biodiversity monitoring and conservation 4 .
Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in analyzing the vast datasets generated by these technologies. AI systems can predict reagent behavior and effectiveness, automate high-throughput screening of candidates, and even monitor manufacturing processes to ensure quality 4 .
However, challenges remain, including the time-consuming work of collecting, cleaning, and validating the large datasets needed to train robust machine learning models 3 .
The revelations from recent biodiversity research are simultaneously sobering and hopeful. The discovery that nearly half of the world's critical biodiversity sites remain unidentified highlights both the gaps in our knowledge and the potential for transformative conservation impact. As the Biodiversity Conference 2025 emphasizes, we need "a diverse array of strategies to curb our impacts on the environment and pivot to a Nature Positive future" .
There is an urgent need for all countries to comprehensively assess their Key Biodiversity Areas by 2030 to effectively inform the expansion of protected areas 6 . As several sessions at upcoming conservation congresses will highlight, understanding where KBAs are located is fundamental to planning how to protect 30 percent of the planet by 2030 6 .
The 5th BCNP and XXXI RESEM represent exactly the kind of collaborative, innovative scientific enterprise needed to address these challenges. By bringing together researchers from across disciplines and regions, these conferences foster the exchange of ideas and methodologies that can accelerate our discovery and protection of critical biodiversity.
In the words of biodiversity researchers, "We cannot protect what we don't know is there" 6 . Through the dedicated work of scientists worldwide, we're rapidly learning what's there, and in the process, rediscovering the incredible biological richness of our remarkable planet.
Identifying previously unknown biodiversity hotspots
Implementing conservation strategies for KBAs
Global partnerships for biodiversity conservation