Algorithms for nature: integrating technology, ecology, and society for sustainable conservation

Abstract To safeguard ecosystems amid rapid global changes, strategies must link ecological knowledge with advancements in technology. Traditional ecological models often encounter challenges due to the inherent complexity and unpredictability of ecosystems, limiting their ability to guide large-scale, long-term decisions effectively. Emerging technologies such as optimization algorithms, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics provide ways to address these issues by improving forecasting, monitoring, and management in evolving environments. The application of these technologies has broadened to essential areas like ecological restoration, management of invasive species, carbon capture, fisheries management, and wildfire readiness, enhancing effectiveness, accuracy, and scalability in conservation efforts. Beyond technical improvements, the integration of algorithms with ecosystem science highlights the importance of aligning data-driven strategies with socio-ecological realities, where careful consideration of trade-offs between biodiversity, economic gains, and resilience is essential. This review points out that algorithmic methods do not replace ecological expertise but rather expand its scope, enabling innovative avenues for adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable conservation practices. By embedding computational innovations within ecological and social contexts, it reveals pathways to more effective strategies that can address the urgent challenges of biodiversity conservation in the 21st century. Graphical abstract