Mapping Biodiversity Priorities
The Mapping Biodiversity Priorities guide is an essential resource for anyone involved in biodiversity conservation, planning, and decision-making. Now available in both English and French, this practical guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to spatial biodiversity assessment and prioritisation. It helps practitioners, policymakers, planners, and conservation professionals identify where biodiversity occurs, where it is most threatened, and which areas should be prioritised for conservation action. By combining scientific evidence with practical tools, the guide enables users to make informed, evidence-based decisions that support effective biodiversity management at national and regional levels.
The Second Edition of the guide was launched at the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties in 2024. During 2025, a French translation was made possible thanks to the #SA-FRpartnership4biodiversity, a partnership between the South African and French biodiversity agencies with support from AFD (Agence Française de Développement). This translation ensures the guide can be widely used in francophone countries, promoting greater uptake of the approach.
You can access both the English and French versions of the guide here: SANBI Institutional Repository
Complementing the guide, the free online course “Introduction to Mapping Biodiversity Priorities” is offered through the IUCN Academy. Designed to be interactive and self-paced, the course allows participants to build practical skills in spatial biodiversity mapping and prioritisation. It covers:
- The four core spatial datasets necessary for mapping biodiversity priorities.
- Practical approaches to spatial assessment and prioritisation.
- How to apply spatial biodiversity information to inform policy, planning, decision-making, and monitoring.
The course is ideal for government officials, NGO staff, policymakers, conservation practitioners, and anyone interested in biodiversity planning, providing them with the knowledge and tools to implement the methodologies described in the guide. Participants who complete the course receive a certificate of completion, making it not only a learning opportunity but also a credential for professional development.
By offering both the book (in English and French) and the online course, the IUCN ensures that this knowledge is accessible to a broader audience, promoting inclusive learning and supporting conservation efforts across diverse regions and language communities.
Whether you are starting out in biodiversity planning or looking to enhance your skills, this guide and course combination offers the resources, expertise, and practical guidance needed to make a meaningful impact in conservation.
Discover the guide and enrol in the free course today:
- Guide: SANBI Institutional Repository
- Course: IUCN Academy