Improving post-2020 conservation of terrestrial vertebrates in Caatinga

Abstract Biodiversity founds ecosystem services which guarantee human survival and wellbeing. Halt biodiversity loss requires efficient conservation actions, and the establishment of protected areas is a crucial strategy. However, their planning is still hindered by shortfalls of data, particularly in neglected regions such as Caatinga, a Brazilian biome dominated by tropical dry forests. We used global range maps of tetrapods and local environmental information to mapping species' Area of Habitat (AOH) and support conservation assessment and spatial prioritization in Caatinga. We quantified biodiversity's representation in current protected areas (PAs) and indigenous lands (ILs), as well in priority areas (PRIs) proposed by government for future conservation. Following international targets for 2020 and 2030, we presented a prioritization solution to protect 17% and 30% of biome. PAs and ILs, covering 9.1% of the Caatinga, represent on average 9.8% of species' AOH, with 37 gap species. By protecting 15.3–32.0% of biome, PRIs networks might increase the current mean to 15.2%–37.5% of species' AOH, still resulting in gap species. Our solution represents on average 26.8–42.5% of species' AOH, with no gap species, and effectively represent more than 91% of tetrapods at higher risk. Opportunity costs displaced priorities to areas less affected by human activities, mainly reducing threatened species' representation. Optimized use of available data, including global maps refined by local information, help to support efficient conservation planning. Once that improve the conservation benefits becomes urgent nowadays, when science-based initiatives are under attack, our approach might contribute to other vulnerable and poorly known biomes.