Science Task Force Paper Spotlight: Why movement and connectivity matter in conservation

In the paper “A Well-Connected Earth: The Science and Conservation of Organismal Movement,” the authors propose an operational definition of “well-connected” that can be adapted to nearly any ecosystem or set of focal species (or focal ecological functions) for which data are available, and emphasise the importance of connectivity in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function. The paper provides a scientific foundation and guidance to ensure that nature’s highways, such as rivers, forests, and migration routes, remain open. 

Connectivity—the ability of organisms to move freely across landscapes and seascapes—is essential for the survival of species and the integrity of ecological systems. Humans have often fragmented habitats, building roads, cities, and barriers that limit the movement of everything from tiny plants to massive mammals. This disconnect interferes with key ecological functions—like seed dispersal, migration, breeding, and gene flow—and puts biodiversity at risk.

In this paper, the authors reviewed the latest methods to measure and predict movement—ranging from GPS tracking to advanced modelling tools—and highlighted where connectivity science is used well, such as in restoration and climate adaptation planning. The study also highlights the need for a coordinated global effort to implement scientific knowledge and protect and restore areas that promote movement. Such an effort should be rooted in the deployment of science-backed tools and technologies to map movement corridors, should integrate connectivity into protected area planning and ecosystem restoration, should employ connectivity insights to support climate adaptation, and should monitor and evaluate connectivity interventions over time 

Brodie JF, Gonzalez A, Mohd-Azlan J, Nelson CR, Tabor G, Vasudev D, Zeller KA, Fletcher Jr R (2025) A well-connected Earth: The science and conservation of organismal movement. Science 388, eadn2225. DOI:10.1126/science.adn2225

This blog is part of a series developed by UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s IUCN-led Science Task Force (STF). The blog series aims to highlight papers and resources relevant to the UN Decade and ecosystem restoration practitioners. Opinions expressed in these papers are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IUCN or a consensus of its Member organisations.