RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Geographic patterns of vertebrate diversity and identification of relevant areas for conservation in Europe
A1 Teixeira Assunçao de Albuquerque, María José
A1 Rey Benayas, José María
A1 Rodríguez Fernández, Miguel Ángel
A1 Albuquerque, F.S
K1 High–value biodiversity areas
K1 Human influence
K1 Richness
K1 Rarity
K1 Vulnerability
K1 Áreas de alto valor de biodiversidad
K1 Influencia humana
K1 Riqueza
K1 Rareza
K1 Vulnerabilidad
K1 Ciencia
K1 Medio Ambiente
K1 Science
K1 Environmental science
AB AbstractGeographic patterns of vertebrate diversity and identification of relevant areas for conservation in Europe.—The 'EU Council conclusions on biodiversity post–2010' re–enforced Europe’s commitment to halt biodiversityloss by 2020. Identifying areas of high–value for biodiversity conservation is an important issue to meet thistarget. We investigated the geographic pattern of terrestrial vertebrate diversity status in Europe by assessingthe species richness, rarity, vulnerability (according to IUCN criteria), and a combined index of the three formerfor the amphibians, reptiles, bird and mammals of this region. We also correlated the value of all indices withclimate and human influence variables. Overall, clear geographic gradients of species diversity were found. Thecombined biodiversity index indicated that high–value biodiversity areas were mostly located in the Mediterraneanbasin and the highest vulnerability was found in the Iberian peninsula for most taxa. Across all indexes,the proportion of variance explained by climate and human influence factors was moderate to low. The resultsobtained in this study have the potential to provide valuable support for nature conservation policies in Europeand, consequently, might contribute to mitigate biodiversity decline in this region.
PB Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
SN 1578-665X
YR 2012
FD 2012
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10017/21354
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10017/21354
LA eng
DS MINDS@UW
RD 04-oct-2023