Mismatch between investment in management and priorities for biodiversity conservation in Amazon protected areas

The availability of resources and an adequate management structure are critical for effective biodiversity conservation in protected areas. However, there has been a mismatch between establishing protected areas and investing in their management, particularly in the Neotropical region. This study examines the factors influencing management effectiveness in Brazilian Amazon protected areas and proposes a strategy to prioritize investments based on conservation value and anthropogenic pressures. Our findings indicate that areas supported by the Amazon Protected Areas Program (ARPA) and managed by federal agencies generally have higher management effectiveness and more resources than those managed by state agencies or without ARPA support. Deforestation negatively affects management implementation and is mainly driven by surrounding pressure. We also found that higher-priority PAs for biodiversity conservation, considering threatened mammals and birds and sustainable-use species, tend to have lower management levels and fewer resources. These results underscore the importance of directing investments to high-value protected areas to strengthen their capacity to safeguard biodiversity effectively. • Higher deforestation in protected areas results in reduced management effectiveness. • State-managed areas have fewer resources compared to federally managed ones. • ARPA's support boosts financial resources and enhance management quality. • Higher financial and human resources results in enhanced management effectiveness. • Strategic investment planning is crucial for amplifying the impact of existing PAs.