Abstract
Areas of endemism are important in biogeography because they capture facets of biodiversity not represented elsewhere. However, the scales at which they are relevant to research and conservation are poorly analysed. Here, we calculate weighted endemism (WE) and phylogenetic endemism (PE) separately for all birds and amphibians across the globe. We show that scale dependence is widespread for both indices and manifests across grain sizes, spatial extents and taxonomic treatments. Variations in taxonomic opinions—whether species are treated by systematic ‘lumping’ or ‘splitting’—can profoundly affect the allocation of WE hotspots. Global patterns of PE can provide insights into complex evolutionary processes but this congruence is lost at the continental to country extents. These findings are explained by environmental heterogeneity at coarser grains, and to a far lesser extent at finer resolutions. Regardless of scale, we find widespread deficits of protection for endemism hotspots. Our study presents a framework for assessing areas for conservation that are robust to assumptions on taxonomy, spatial grain and extent.
Highlights
Areas of endemism are important in biogeography because they capture facets of biodiversity not represented elsewhere
Amphibians are poor dispersers and possess reduced geographic ranges compared with birds[57], and we predict the effect of scale on endemism in amphibians to change across spatial grain and extent
We ask three questions: (i) how do patterns of weighted and phylogenetic endemism of different vertebrate clades vary across scales? (ii) at what spatial grain and extent does heterogeneity in environmental factors influence patterns of endemism? and (iii) how effective are the global systems of protected areas in representing hotspots of endemism across grain sizes, spatial extent and taxonomic treatment?
Summary
Areas of endemism are important in biogeography because they capture facets of biodiversity not represented elsewhere. Amphibians are poor dispersers and possess reduced geographic ranges compared with birds[57], and we predict the effect of scale on endemism in amphibians to change across spatial grain and extent.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.