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April 6th, 2025
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UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre
ecology
biorxiv

An update to the global Critical Habitat layer

Dunnett, S.Open in Google Scholar•Muge, A.Open in Google Scholar•Ross, A.Open in Google Scholar•Turner, J. A.Open in Google Scholar•Burgess, N. D.Open in Google Scholar•Jones, M. I.Open in Google Scholar•Brooks, S.Open in Google Scholar

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) defines Critical Habitat in Performance Standard 6 (PS6) as high biodiversity value areas requiring net biodiversity gain for projects. We present an updated global screening layer of Critical Habitat aligned with IFC\'s 2019 guidance. This layer derives from global datasets covering 53 biodiversity features, categorized as \'Likely\' or \'Potential\' Critical Habitat based on agreement with IFC criteria and data suitability. Analysis indicates 52.77 million km2 (10.4%) and 15.94 million km2 (3.2%) of the globe can be considered Likely and Potential Critical Habitat respectively, with the remaining 86.4% not overlapping with assessed biodiversity features. This represents a significant increase over previously identified 5% and 2% for Likely and Potential Critical Habitat. Likely Critical Habitat was dominated by Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Intact Forest Landscapes, and protected areas; Potential Critical Habitat by Important Marine Mammal Areas and ranges of IUCN Vulnerable species. Our results can help businesses prioritize impact avoidance and identify opportunities by screening potential development sites for biodiversity features.

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