Protected areas and regional avian species richness in South Africa

被引:30
|
作者
Evans, Karl L. [1 ]
Rodrigues, Ana S. L.
Chown, Steven L.
Gaston, Kevin J.
机构
[1] Univ Sheffield, Dept Anim & Plant Sci, Biodivers & Macroecol Grp, Sheffield S10 2TN, S Yorkshire, England
[2] Conservat Int, Washington, DC 20036 USA
[3] Univ Stellenbosch, Dept Bot & Zool, Ctr Invas Biol, ZA-7602 Matieland, South Africa
关键词
birds; conservation; extinction; protected areas; South Africa; species-energy relationship;
D O I
10.1098/rsbl.2005.0435
中图分类号
Q [生物科学];
学科分类号
07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;
摘要
Protected areas are generally regarded as essential for the long-term maintenance of biodiversity. Evidence for their effectiveness in this regard is, however, somewhat equivocal. Here, we document the relationship between the proportion of protected land and species richness in a region, both with and without taking spatial variation in environmental energy availability into account. Using the South African avifauna as a case study, we find that total and threatened species richness exhibit modest increases with the proportion of protected land. While the protected area network should be expanded, it is essential that conservation efforts also focus on maintaining biodiversity in the wider unprotected landscape that supports high species richness.
引用
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页码:184 / 188
页数:5
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