Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Protected Areas

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on global socioeconomic systems, with profound effects on human health and well-being. Measures to contain the spread of the virus, such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, significantly altered how humans interact with one another and the environment. This article examines the impact of the pandemic on protected areas (PAs) supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the primary financial mechanism for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, and the most significant funding source for biodiversity conservation. Using project documentation and spatiotemporal geospatial analysis of fire regimes and forest cover, the study finds that PAs faced significant implementation and management challenges, which were exacerbated by the pandemic. Only a third of the projects applied strategies to mitigate these challenges, highlighting the need for more proactive measures. Although most GEF-supported PAs experienced fire frequency and deforestation rates within the predicted range, some exceptions highlight the importance of continued efforts to monitor and mitigate environmental threats to PAs. The pandemic also had a significant negative impact on livelihoods, particularly in areas reliant on tourism revenue. The findings underscore the need for proactive and adaptive measures, effective monitoring and evaluation systems, and the importance of more diversified and resilient income-generating activities to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of PA systems.

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