Advances and prospects in research on other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)

Aims: Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) are becoming an essential complement to the traditional system of protected areas, playing a critical role in global biodiversity conservation.This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the development trajectory and current research on OECMs, focusing particularly on their advancements and unique characteristics in China.It further explores the future prospects of OECMs in China under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.Progress: In recent years, the continuous policy advancements regarding OECMs worldwide underscore the international community's recognition of their significant role as a supplementary tool in global biodiversity conservation strategies.From conceptualization to practical implementation, OECMs have undergone a process of deepening and refinement, emerging as a key mechanism for addressing biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.Globally, systematic studies have been conducted on the criteria, procedures, and methodologies for identifying OECMs, as well as on their governance and long-term effectiveness.Perspectives: Despite the growing international recognition of OECMs, their effective implementation and monitoringcontinue to face significant challenges that require urgent attention.This study explores future development pathways for OECMs within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with a particular focus on accelerating their mainstreaming, enhancing biodiversity conservation effectiveness through robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, establishing clear de-designation procedures, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and multi-stakeholder governance, and advancing research and formal recognition of marine OECMs.These efforts aim to contribute to the refinement of biodiversity conservation strategies in China and globally, providing a scientific basis for the effective integration of OECMs into broader conservation frameworks.