Abstract
Simple SummaryUnderstanding species and genetic correlations (SGDCs) is essential to establish community composition. In this study, 295 observations from 39 studies explored the SGDCs and the underlying drivers through conducting a global meta-analysis. A positive correlation was found, suggesting that parallel processes (environmental heterogeneity, area, and connectivity etc.) have effects on two diversities. As current biodiversity hotspots have mainly been identified based on high species diversity and high endemism of taxon, the understanding of SGDC will substantially help us to determine whether and how genetic diversity can be used in identifying biodiversity hotspots, as well as in developing conservation practices and policies for biodiversity.Species diversity (SD) and genetic diversity (GD) are the two basic levels of biodiversity. In general, according to the consensus view, the parallel effects of environmental heterogeneity, area, and connectivity on two levels, can drive a positive correlation between GD and SD. Conversely, a negative correlation or no correlation would be expected if these effects are not parallel. Our understanding of the relationships between SD and GD among different ecosystems, sampling methods, species, and under climate change remains incomplete. In the present study, we conducted a hierarchical meta-analysis based on 295 observations from 39 studies and found a positive correlation between genetic diversity and species diversity (95% confidence interval, 7.6–22.64%). However, significant relationships were not found in some ecosystems when we conducted species–genetic diversity correlation analysis based on a single ecosystem. Moreover, the magnitudes of the correlations generally decreased with the number of sampling units and the annual average the temperature of sampling units. Our results highlight the positive correlation between GD and SD, thereby indicating that protecting SD involves protecting GD in conservation practice. Furthermore, our results also suggest that global increases in temperature during the 21st century will have significant impacts on global biodiversity.
Highlights
The current ongoing loss of biodiversity is far greater than that at any time in human history [1]
Across all the selected studies, we found a positive correlation between genetic diverAcross all the selected studies, we found a positive correlation between genetic disity and species diversity
A wide range of geographic variations, ecosystems, and sampling methods might result in non-significant species–genetic diversity correlation (SGDC) values, but the selection of focal species and molecular marker methods used for measuring genetic structure affected the SGDC (Tables 1 and S2)
Summary
Lei Xie 1 , Yuan Yang 1 , Yao Li 1 , Shuifei Chen 2 , Yueyao Feng 1 , Ningjie Wang 1 , Ting Lv 1 , Hui Ding 2 , Lu Wang 1 and Yanming Fang 1, *. Research Center for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, State Environmental Protection Scientific. Observation and Research Station for Ecology and Environment of Wuyi Mountains, State Environmental. Simple Summary: Understanding species and genetic correlations (SGDCs) is essential to establish community composition. 295 observations from 39 studies explored the SGDCs and the underlying drivers through conducting a global meta-analysis. A positive correlation was found, suggesting that parallel processes (environmental heterogeneity, area, and connectivity etc.) have effects on two diversities. As current biodiversity hotspots have mainly been identified based on high species diversity and high endemism of taxon, the understanding of SGDC will substantially help us to determine whether and how genetic diversity can be used in identifying biodiversity hotspots, as well as in developing conservation practices and policies for biodiversity. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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