Geographic variation in species richness, rarity, and the selection of areas for conservation: An integrative approach with Brazilian estuarine fishes. (5th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vilar, Ciro C.; Joyeux, Jean-Christophe; Spach, Henry L.
• Is Part Of: Estuarine, coastal and shelf science. Volume 196(2017)
• Page Start: 134
• Page End: 140
• Publication Date: 2017-09-05
• Subjects: Species diversity -- Endemism -- Estuaries -- Coastal zone management -- Protected areas -- Brazil; Estuarine oceanography -- Periodicals; Coasts -- Periodicals; Estuarine biology -- Periodicals; Seashore biology -- Periodicals; Coasts; Estuarine biology; Estuarine oceanography; Seashore biology; Periodicals; 551.461805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2017.06.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-7714

Abstract

Abstract: While the number of species is a key indicator of ecological assemblages, spatial conservation priorities solely identified from species richness are not necessarily efficient to protect other important biological assets. Hence, the results of spatial prioritization analysis would be greatly enhanced if richness were used in association to complementary biodiversity measures. In this study, geographic patterns in estuarine fish species rarity (i.e. the average range size in the study area), endemism and richness, were mapped and integrated to identify regions important for biodiversity conservation along the Brazilian coast. Furthermore, we analyzed the effectiveness of the national system of protected areas to represent these regions. Analyses were performed on presence/absence data of 412 fish species in 0.25° latitudinal bands covering the entire Brazilian biogeographical province. Species richness, rarity and endemism patterns differed and strongly reflected biogeographical limits and regions. However, among the existing 154 latitudinal bands, 48 were recognized as conservation priorities by concomitantly harboring high estuarine fish species richness and assemblages of geographically rare species. Priority areas identified for all estuarine fish species largely differed from those identified for Brazilian endemics. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between the different aspects of the fish assemblages considered (i.e. species richness, endemism or rarity), suggesting that designating reserves based on a single variable may lead to large gaps in the overall protection of biodiversity. Our results further revealed that the existing system of protected areas is insufficient for representing the priority bands we identified. This highlights the urgent need for expanding the national network of protected areas to maintain estuarine ecosystems with high conservation value. Highlights: Species richness, endemism and rarity of Brazilian estuarine fishes were mapped. Areas of high conservation value were identified. Rio de Janeiro, Bahia and the Amazonian coast emerged as priority for protection. Most priority areas for conservation are currently unprotected.