Biogeographic crossroads as priority areas for biodiversity conservation

TitleBiogeographic crossroads as priority areas for biodiversity conservation
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsS. Spector
JournalConservation Biology
Volume16
Pagination1480-1487
Date PublishedDec
Accession NumberISI:000179420100009
Keywordsassemblages, complementary areas, congruence, diversity, forest, hotspots, patterns, species richness, strategies, tiger beetles
Abstract

Threats to biodiversity outpace the resources of the conservation community and necessitate careful prioritization of conservation actions. I suggest that targeting the regions where biogeographic assemblages intersect - " biogeographic crossroads" - is a strategy that may achieve significant conservation economy by focusing on areas that satisfy many conservation criteria. I used a combination of data on Scarabaeine beetles in Bolivia and on other taxa and locations from the literature to consider the short- and long-term benefits of conserving these biogeographic crossroads. Biogeographic crossroads are areas of high species richness and beta diversity, often across many taxonomic groups. They are also regions where representativeness can be achieved with relative efficiency. Recent evidence that ecotones may be loci of evolution suggests that evolutionary processes such as speciation and coevolution may be conserved at biogeographic crossroads. Biogeographic crossroads appear to be areas of high conservation priority and opportunity in both the short and long term and require increased attention in the process of setting conservation priorities.

URL<Go to ISI>://000179420100009
Alternate JournalConserv. Biol.

Add new comment

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
12 + 8 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.