In response to biodiversity loss, scientists have called for the protection of well-connected systems of protected areas covering 30 to 50% of the planet. However, as climate change drives shifts in species, conservation plans based on current biodiversity patterns will become less effective. We collaboratively develop and map a conservation network for the conterminous United States designed to represent all habitats, while anticipating and facilitating changes in species composition. The network is based on principles of representation, resilience, connectivity, and recognized biodiversity value, with each factor mapped in a way that anticipates climate change. The results are being used to inform land-acquisition and management decisions by The Nature Conservancy, many state and federal agencies, and hundreds of land trusts.
