Potential impacts to biodiversity of rare and vulnerable species from proposed lithium extraction

Lithium batteries are currently used in most mobile devices, electric vehicles, and utility-scale battery storage systems. The demand for lithium is expected to increase in the coming decades and understanding the potential impacts of extracting lithium on biodiversity is critically important for identifying the most appropriate places for extraction to occur. We document the potential impact of 55 proposed lithium extraction projects and broad areas identified as containing lithium reserves on the biodiversity of imperiled to vulnerable species (ranked G1-G3 and S1-S3). We identified 538,426 ha of proposed lithium project sites and adjacent impact areas in California and Nevada. Within the proposed projects areas there were 34 species ranked globally imperiled to vulnerable in California and 19 species ranked globally imperiled to vulnerable in Nevada. Broad areas identified as containing lithium reserves supported 366 species in California and 193 species in Nevada that were ranked as imperiled to vulnerable. Of the 20 most imperiled species, 85 % were wetland dependent, and seven species had 100 % of their known distribution occur within a proposed lithium project site. If the current proposed lithium projects are built, 54 globally imperiled to vulnerable species are likely to be negatively impacted in California and Nevada. These results highlight the importance of balancing conservation of biodiversity with solutions to mitigate climate change. To limit biodiversity loss, there is a need for a holistic planning process that prioritizes the lowest conflict sites for development over high conflict sites. • Global lithium demand is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades. • Proposed lithium extraction sites threaten 20 imperiled species. • 54 species ranked imperiled to vulnerable occur on lithium project sites. • 85 % of the most imperiled species are wetland dependent.