Conservation gaps for Neotropical vipers: Mismatches between protected areas, species richness and evolutionary distinctiveness

Autor(es)

Oliveira-Dalland, Luis G. ; Alencar, Laura R. V. ; Tambosi, Leandro R. ; Carrasco, Paola A. ; Rautsaw, Rhett M. ; Sigala-Rodriguez, Jesus ; Scrocchi, Gustavo ; Martins, Marcio

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Biological Conservation; v. 275, p. 8-pg., 2022-10-05.

Resumo

The continuous decline in biodiversity despite global efforts to create new protected areas calls into question the effectiveness of these areas in conserving biodiversity. Numerous habitats are absent from the global protected area network, and certain taxonomic groups are not being included in conservation planning. Here, we analyzed the level of protection that the current protected area system provides to viper species in the Neotropical region through a conservation gap analysis. We used distribution size and degree of threat to set species-specific con-servation goals for 123 viper species in the form of minimum percentage of their distribution that should be covered by protected areas, and assessed the level of protection provided for each species by overlapping their distribution with protected areas of strict protection. Furthermore, using species richness and evolutionary distinctiveness as priority indicators, we conducted a spatial association analysis to detect areas of special concern. We found that most viper species have <1/4 of their distribution covered by protected areas, including 22 threatened species. Also, the large majority of cells containing high levels of species richness were signifi-cantly absent from protected areas, while evolutionary distinctiveness was particularly unprotected in regions with relatively low species richness, like northern Mexico and the Argentinian dry Chaco. Our results provide further evidence that vipers are largely being excluded from conservation planning, leaving them exposed to serious threats that can lead to population decline and ultimately extinction. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 20/12658-4 - Desafios para a conservação de anfíbios e répteis escamados, com ênfase na fauna brasileira: de informações básicas às ações de conservação
• Beneficiário: Marcio Roberto Costa Martins
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 18/14091-1 - Efeitos de alterações de habitat sobre comunidades de anfíbios e répteis Squamata: subsídios para programas de manejo, avaliações de risco de extinção e planos de ação de conservação
• Beneficiário: Marcio Roberto Costa Martins
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 16/14292-1 - Dinâmica espacial e temporal da coexistência entre espécies: uma abordagem global utilizando serpentes e lagartos como modelos
• Beneficiário: Laura Rodrigues Vieira de Alencar
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado