Conservation biogeography: assessment and prospect
Robert J. Whittaker,Miguel B. Araújo,Paul Jepson,Richard J. Ladle,James E. M. Watson,Katherine J. Willis +5 more
TLDR
The role played by biogeographical science in the emergence of conservation guidance is examined and the case for the recognition of Conservation Biogeography as a key subfield of conservation biology delimited as both a substantial body of theory and analysis is made.Abstract:
There is general agreement among scientists that biodiversity is under assault on a global basis and that species are being lost at a greatly enhanced rate. This article examines the role played by biogeographical science in the emergence of conservation guidance and makes the case for the recognition of Conservation Biogeography as a key subfield of conservation biology delimited as: the application of biogeographical principles, theories, and analyses, being those concerned with the distributional dynamics of taxa individually and collectively, to problems concerning the conservation of biodiversity. Conservation biogeography thus encompasses both a substantial body of theory and analysis, and some of the most prominent planning frameworks used in conservation. Considerable advances in conservation guidelines have been made over the last few decades by applying biogeographical methods and principles. Herein we provide a critical review focussed on the sensitivity to assumptions inherent in the applications we examine. In particular, we focus on four inter-related factors: (i) scale dependency (both spatial and temporal); (ii) inadequacies in taxonomic and distributional data (the so-called Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls); (iii) effects of model structure and parameterisation; and (iv) inadequacies of theory. These generic problems are illustrated by reference to studies ranging from the application of historical biogeography, through island biogeography, and complementarity analyses to bioclimatic envelope modelling. There is a great deal of uncertainty inherent in predictive analyses in conservation biogeography and this area in particular presents considerable challenges. Protected area planning frameworks and their resulting map outputs are amongst the most powerful and influential applications within conservation biogeography, and at the global scale are characterised by the production, by a small number of prominent NGOs, of bespoke schemes, which serve both to mobilise funds and channel efforts in a highly targeted fashion. We provide a simple typology of protected area planning frameworks, with particular reference to the global scale, and provide a brief critique of some of their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, we discuss the importance, especially at regional scales, of developing more responsive analyses and models that integrate pattern (the compositionalist approach) and processes (the functionalist approach) such as range collapse and climate change, again noting the sensitivity of outcomes to starting assumptions. We make the case for the greater engagement of the biogeographical community in a programme of evaluation and refinement of all such schemes to test their robustness and their sensitivity to alternative conservation priorities and goals.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
The Theory of Island Biogeography
TL;DR: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols used xiii 1.
Journal ArticleDOI
Global biodiversity conservation priorities.
Thomas M. Brooks,Thomas M. Brooks,Thomas M. Brooks,Russell A. Mittermeier,G. A. B. da Fonseca,G. A. B. da Fonseca,Justin Gerlach,Michael R. Hoffmann,John F. Lamoreux,Cristina G. Mittermeier,John D. Pilgrim,Ana S. L. Rodrigues +11 more
TL;DR: It is hoped this synthesis improves understanding of these prioritization approaches and that it results in more efficient allocation of geographically flexible conservation funding.
Journal ArticleDOI
Five (or so) challenges for species distribution modelling
Miguel B. Araújo,Antoine Guisan +1 more
TL;DR: Five areas of enquiry are identified and discussed that are of high importance for species distribution modelling: clarification of the niche concept; improved designs for sampling data for building models; improved parameterization; improved model selection and predictor contribution; and improved model evaluation.
Journal ArticleDOI
Glacial refugia influence plant diversity patterns in the Mediterranean Basin
Frédéric Médail,Katia Diadema +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed analysis of the scientific literature (1993-2007) in order to identify refugia in the Mediterranean region, based on intraspecific phylogeographical studies of plant species, is presented.
Journal ArticleDOI
Methods and uncertainties in bioclimatic envelope modelling under climate change
Risto K. Heikkinen,Miska Luoto,Miguel B. Araújo,Raimo Virkkala,Wilfried Thuiller,Martin T. Sykes +5 more
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review a number of critical methodological issues that may lead to uncertainty in predictions from bioclimatic modelling. But, they conclude that, although biOClimatic envelope models have important advantages, they need to be applied only when users of models have a thorough understanding of their limitations and uncertainties.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities
Norman Myers,Russell A. Mittermeier,Cristina G. Mittermeier,Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca,Jennifer Kent +4 more
TL;DR: A ‘silver bullet’ strategy on the part of conservation planners, focusing on ‘biodiversity hotspots’ where exceptional concentrations of endemic species are undergoing exceptional loss of habitat, is proposed.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Theory of Island Biogeography
TL;DR: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols used xiii 1.
Book
The Theory of Island Biogeography
TL;DR: The Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201
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Extinction risk from climate change
Chris D. Thomas,Alison Cameron,Rhys E. Green,Rhys E. Green,Michel Bakkenes,Linda J. Beaumont,Yvonne C. Collingham,Barend F.N. Erasmus,Marinez Ferreira de Siqueira,Alan Grainger,Lee Hannah,Lesley Hughes,Brian Huntley,Albert S. van Jaarsveld,Guy F. Midgley,Lera Miles,Lera Miles,Miguel A. Ortega-Huerta,A. Townsend Peterson,Oliver L. Phillips,Stephen E. Williams +20 more
TL;DR: Estimates of extinction risks for sample regions that cover some 20% of the Earth's terrestrial surface show the importance of rapid implementation of technologies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and strategies for carbon sequestration.
Book
Systematic Conservation Planning
C. R. Margules,Robert L. Pressey +1 more
TL;DR: A more systematic approach to locating and designing reserves has been evolving and this approach will need to be implemented if a large proportion of today's biodiversity is to exist in a future of increasing numbers of people and their demands on natural resources.
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