Optimizing biodiversity resilience: A wildlife dispersal-based framework for strategic conservation corridor design in protected area networks

The expansion and interconnection of protected areas are central to achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s ambitious goals, yet their synergistic relationship remains underexplored. Here, we propose a framework integrating wildlife dispersal-based connectivity to address two objectives in China: (1) constructing a cost-effective nature conservation network by combining connectivity and biodiversity prioritization, and (2) evaluating climate and anthropogenic risks while addressing habitat representation gaps. The framework aims to designate 30% of land as protected areas and informally allocate another 30% as conservation priority corridors. Results show this strategy connects 57% of existing protected areas, protects 74% of priority zones, and achieves 89% of habitat representation targets. While current protected areas mitigate climate and anthropogenic threats, future expansion faces challenges due to geographic variations in threats and the need for adequate representation. Our approach identifies and prioritizes these challenges, offering a data-driven pathway to achieve Kunming-Montreal targets.