Assessment of faunal biodiversity and challenges for sustainability

Faunal biodiversity underpins ecosystem functioning, human wellbeing and long-term sustainability. However, accelerating land-use change, fragmentation, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation and climate change are driving unprecedented declines in animal populations and altering species interactions. Effective assessment of faunal biodiversity and the implementation of strategies that maintain or restore harmony between human needs and wildlife are essential for achieving sustainable development goals. This paper synthesizes contemporary approaches to assessing faunal biodiversity (field surveys, remote sensing, eDNA, acoustic monitoring, citizen science, analytical indices and modelling), identifies the main socio-ecological challenges to maintaining harmony, and proposes an integrated framework combining robust assessment, adaptive management, conflict mitigation, policy instruments and community-centred conservation for long-term sustainability. Practical recommendations, monitoring protocols and research priorities are provided to help conservation practitioners, environmental managers, policy makers and academics operationalize faunal biodiversity assessment and coexistence strategies.