One suggestion for safeguarding AZE sites is to begin by considering two levels of protection: any protection and “targeted” protection. A country’s first goal could be to achieve any level of official protection for all national AZE sites by a predetermined year. Since habitat destruction is the primary threat to the majority of AZE sites, providing an initial level of protection for AZE sites is the most urgently-needed step towards conserving their species.

A second and more long-term goal can be to work towards “targeted” protection for all AZE sites, with “targeted” defined on a case-by-case basis centered on the threats to and ownership of each site and the AZE species’ management needs. For example, some species many be endangered due to specific threats, such as invasive species, logging or trafficking. Working to reduce or eliminate these threats will be key to the long-term persistence of such species.

Level 1: Any protection

Any level of official protection for unprotected or partially-protected AZE sites

Timeframe: Enacted by a predetermined year

Goal: All unprotected or partially-protected AZE sites receive a basic level of official protection

Level 2: Targeted protection

Protection based on threats to the sites on a case-by-case basis centered on the threats to and ownership of each site

Timeframe: ongoing

Goal: Some sites are at risk due to specific threats, such as invasive species, trafficking, or logging. Working to reduce or eliminate these threats will be key to the long-term persistence of such sites.