Mammola Stefano, Altermatt Florian, Alther Roman, Amorim Isabel R, Băncilă Raluca I, Borges Paulo A V, Brad Traian, Brankovits David, Cardoso Pedro, Cerasoli Francesco, Chauveau Claire A, Delić Teo, Di Lorenzo Tiziana, Faille Arnaud, Fišer Cene, Flot Jean-François, Gabriel Rosalina, Galassi Diana M P, Garzoli Laura, Griebler Christian, Konecny-Dupré Lara, Martínez Alejandro, Mori Nataša, Nanni Veronica, Ogorelec Žiga, Pallarés Susana, Salussolia Alice, Saccò Mattia, Stoch Fabio, Vaccarelli Ilaria, Zagmajster Maja, Zittra Carina, Meierhofer Melissa B, Sánchez-Fernández David, Malard Florian
Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Corso Tonolli, 50, Pallanza, 28922, Italy.
Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, Helsinki, 00100, Finland.
NPJ Biodivers. 2024 Jan 16;3(1):2. doi: 10.1038/s44185-023-00035-1.
Subterranean ecosystems (comprising terrestrial, semi-aquatic, and aquatic components) are increasingly threatened by human activities; however, the current network of surface-protected areas is inadequate to safeguard subterranean biodiversity. Establishing protected areas for subterranean ecosystems is challenging. First, there are technical obstacles in mapping three-dimensional ecosystems with uncertain boundaries. Second, the rarity and endemism of subterranean organisms, combined with a scarcity of taxonomists, delays the accumulation of essential biodiversity knowledge. Third, establishing agreements to preserve subterranean ecosystems requires collaboration among multiple actors with often competing interests. This perspective addresses the challenges of preserving subterranean biodiversity through protected areas. Even in the face of uncertainties, we suggest it is both timely and critical to assess general criteria for subterranean biodiversity protection and implement them based on precautionary principles. To this end, we examine the current status of European protected areas and discuss solutions to improve their coverage of subterranean ecosystems.
地下生态系统（包括陆地、半水生和水生成分）正日益受到人类活动的威胁；然而，当前的地表保护区网络不足以保护地下生物多样性。为地下生态系统建立保护区具有挑战性。首先，绘制边界不确定的三维生态系统存在技术障碍。其次，地下生物的稀有性和特有性，再加上分类学家的稀缺，延缓了基本生物多样性知识的积累。第三，建立保护地下生态系统的协议需要多个利益往往相互冲突的行为者之间的合作。本观点阐述了通过保护区保护地下生物多样性所面临的挑战。即使面对不确定性，我们认为评估地下生物多样性保护的一般标准并基于预防原则加以实施既及时又至关重要。为此，我们研究了欧洲保护区的现状，并讨论了改善其对地下生态系统覆盖范围的解决方案。
