Abstract
BackgroundA crucial step in conserving biodiversity is to identify the distributions of threatened species and the factors associated with species threat status. In the biodiversity hotspot of the Himalaya, very little is known about which locations harbour the highest diversity of threatened species and whether diversity of such species is related to area, mid-domain effects (MDE), range size, or human density. In this study, we assessed the drivers of variation in richness of threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, actinopterygii, and amphibians along an elevational gradient in Nepal Himalaya.ResultsAlthough geometric constraints (MDE), species range size, and human population density were significantly related to threatened species richness, the interaction between range size and human population density was of greater importance. Threatened species richness was positively associated with human population density and negatively associated with range size.ConclusionsIn areas with high richness of threatened species, species ranges tend to be small. The preponderance of species at risk of extinction at low elevations in the subtropical biodiversity hotspot could be due to the double impact of smaller range sizes and higher human density.
Highlights
A crucial step in conserving biodiversity is to identify the distributions of threatened species and the factors associated with species threat status
We examined the biogeographical distribution of threat status, range sizes, and human population pressure in a biodiversity hotspot, the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal
Threatened species richness showed an overall decreasing trend along the elevational gradient; richness was high at low elevations, decreased with increasing elevation up to ~ 2000 m, and became flat above that (Fig. 3a)
Summary
A crucial step in conserving biodiversity is to identify the distributions of threatened species and the factors associated with species threat status. In the biodiversity hotspot of the Himalaya, very little is known about which locations harbour the highest diversity of threatened species and whether diversity of such species is related to area, mid-domain effects (MDE), range size, or human density. Biogeographical patterns in the distribution of threatened species have received relatively little attention. This could be due, in part, to range size distribution patterns whereby species ranges tend to be smaller at low elevations, and shifts in elevation range result in shrinking habitatable area [9]. Elevation is a critical biogeographical gradient in many parts of the world, and species richness patterns may be either
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