Using Red List species in designating protection status to forest areas: a case study on the problem of spatio-temporal dynamics

Lise Tingstad,Magne Sætersdal,John-Arvid Grytnes,Ivar Gjerde

doi:10.1007/s10531-020-02031-4

Abstract

Red-listed species are often used as target species in selection of sites for conservation. However, limitations to their use have been pointed out, and here we address the problem of expected high spatio-temporal dynamics of red-listed species. We used species data (vascular plants, bryophytes, macrolichens and polypore fungi) from two inventories 17 years apart to estimate temporal turnover of red-listed and non-red-listed species in two forest areas (147 and 195 ha) and of plots (0.25 ha) within each area. Furthermore, we investigated how turnover of species affected the rank order of plots regarding richness of red-listed species, using two different national Red List issues (1998 and 2015). In both study areas, temporal turnover was substantial, despite minor changes in the overall number of species. At plot level, temporal turnover in red-listed species was higher than in non-red-listed species, but similar to non-red-listed species of the same frequency of occurrence. Adding the effect of changing identities of species red-listed according to the two Red List issues, further increased the estimated spatio-temporal dynamics. Recorded spatio-temporal turnover also resulted in substantial changes in the rank order of plots regarding richness of red-listed species. Using rare red-listed species for site selection may therefore be accompanied by a higher loss of conservation effectiveness over time than for more common species, and particularly at finer scales.

Highlights

One of the main tools for conservation of biological diversity is the selection and establishment of protected areas
In a case study we investigated the effect of spatio-temporal dynamics on conservation values based on red-listed species
The main aims of this study were (1) to estimate spatio-temporal dynamics of red-listed species and non-red-listed species in the two forest areas and, and (2) to investigate how this dynamics in red-listed species translates into changes in the rank order of sites regarding conservation values measured as richness of red-listed species at the finer scale

Summary

Introduction

One of the main tools for conservation of biological diversity is the selection and establishment of protected areas. Despite Red Lists primarily are designed to address extinction risk, the lists are frequently part of prioritization processes in selection of sites for conservation (Possingham et al 2002; Eaton et al 2005). Both global and national Red Lists (Gärdenfors et al 2001; Baillie et al 2004) are used for selection of sites for conservation (Ricketts et al 2005; Rodrigues et al 2006; Martín-López et al 2011), and national Red Lists are among the most widely used tools at finer geographical scales (Schmeller et al 2014). Two examples are the sites selected for the EU Habitat Directive (Henle et al 2013) and the “Woodland Key Habitats” (WKH) in Northern Europe (Gustafsson et al 1999; 2002; Gjerde et al 2007; Hottola and Siitonen 2008)

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