Maximizing regional biodiversity requires a mosaic of protection levels
Type | Article |
---|---|
Date | 2021-05 |
Language | English |
Author(s) | Loiseau Nicolas1, 2, 3, Thuiller Wilfried2, Stuart-Smith Rick D.4, Devictor Vincent5, Edgar Graham J.4, Velez Laure1, Cinner Joshua E.6, Graham Nicholas A. J.7, Renaud Julien2, Hoey Andrew S.6, Manel Stephanie8, Mouillot David1, 9 |
Affiliation(s) | 1 : MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France 2 : Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine, F-38000 Grenoble, France 3 : CEFE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France 4 : Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 5 : CNRS, ISEM, Université de Montpellier, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France 6 : ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia 7 : Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom 8 : EPHE, PSL Research University, CNRS, UM, SupAgro, IRD, INRA, UMR 5175 CEFE, F-Montpellier, France 9 : Institut Universitaire de France, IUF, Paris, France |
Source | Plos Biology (1544-9173) (Public Library of Science (PLoS)), 2021-05 , Vol. 19 , N. 5 , P. e3001195 (18p.) |
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001195 |
WOS© Times Cited | 9 |
Abstract | Protected areas are the flagship management tools to secure biodiversity from anthropogenic impacts. However, the extent to which adjacent areas with distinct protection levels host different species numbers and compositions remains uncertain. Here, using reef fishes, European alpine plants, and North American birds, we show that the composition of species in adjacent Strictly Protected, Restricted, and Non-Protected areas is highly dissimilar, whereas the number of species is similar, after controlling for environmental conditions, sample size, and rarity. We find that between 12% and 15% of species are only recorded in Non-Protected areas, suggesting that a non-negligible part of regional biodiversity occurs where human activities are less regulated. For imperiled species, the proportion only recorded in Strictly Protected areas reaches 58% for fishes, 11% for birds, and 7% for plants, highlighting the fundamental and unique role of protected areas and their environmental conditions in biodiversity conservation. |
Full Text |