Effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network in protecting Iberian endemic fauna. (6th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosso, A.; Aragón, P.; Acevedo, F.; Doadrio, I.; García‐Barros, E.; Lobo, J. M.; Munguira, M. L.; Monserrat, V. J.; Palomo, J.; Pleguezuelos, J. M.; Romo, H.; Triviño, V.; Sánchez‐Fernández, D.
• Is Part Of: Animal conservation. Volume 21:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 262
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2017-12-06
• Subjects: endemic fauna -- gap analysis -- protected areas -- Iberia -- Natura 2000 -- Habitats Directive -- biodiversity hotspots -- European Union; Conservation biology -- Periodicals; Wildlife conservation -- Periodicals; Conservation de la biodiversité; Conservation de la faune; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 333.95416
• DOI: 10.1111/acv.12387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-9430

Abstract

Abstract : The Iberian Peninsula harbours more than 30% of European endemic species, however there is still a lack of knowledge on how Iberian endemic fauna are represented in nature reserves. We detected biodiversity hotspots of Iberian endemicity and evaluated the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network (N2000) in representing 249 endemic species from eight animal taxonomic groups. In general, N2000 is effective in its representation of Iberian endemic fauna, although we detected species and a few hotspots of endemism that were not represented. The obtained results are useful in the context of the recent European Commission mandate calling for a 'fitness check' of the Birds and Habitats Directives, being also applicable to other regions with high value of endemicity. Abstract: The Iberian Peninsula is a major European region of biodiversity, as it harbours more than 30% of European endemic species. Despite a number of studies having evaluated the ability of nature reserves to protect certain taxa, there is still a lack of knowledge on how Iberian endemic fauna are represented in these reserves. We detected biodiversity hotspots of Iberian endemicity and evaluated the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network (N2000) in representing 249 endemic species from eight animal taxonomic groups (amphibians, mammals, freshwater fishes, reptiles, water beetles, butterflies, lacewings and dung beetles). We found that only the 10% of these Iberian endemic species are considered species of community interest (i.e. species included in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive). We conducted gap analyses and null models of representativeness in N2000. Generally, N2000 is effective in its representation of Iberian endemic fauna, although we detected species and few hotspots of endemism that were still not represented. It is necessary to declare a few new protected areas, thus enhancing N2000's effectiveness in the conservation of the Iberian endemic fauna. Although the aim of N2000 is to protect species listed in the Birds and Habitats Directives, the conservation status of endemic species from one of the most important areas of Europe in terms of biodiversity, could be also a concern for the European Union. Our results are useful in the context of the recent European Commission mandate calling for a 'fitness check' of the Birds and Habitats Directives. This approach could be also applicable to other regions with high value of endemicity.