Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Hotspot Research Articles

Camera trap surveys of Atlantic Forest mammals: A data set for analyses considering imperfect detection (2004-2020).

Camera traps became the main observational method of a myriad of species over large areas. Data sets from camera traps can be used to describe the patterns and monitor the occupancy, abundance, and richness of wildlife, essential information for conservation in times of rapid climate and land-cover changes. Habitat loss and poaching are responsible for historical population losses of mammals in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, especially for medium to large-sized species. Here we present a data set from camera trap surveys of medium to large-sized native mammals (>1 kg) across the Atlantic Forest. We compiled data from 5380 ground-level camera trap deployments in 3046 locations, from 2004 to 2020, resulting in 43,068 records of 58 species. These data add to existing data sets of mammals in the Atlantic Forest by including dates of camera operation needed for analyses dealing with imperfect detection. We also included, when available, information on important predictors of detection, namely the camera brand and model, use of bait, and obstruction of camera viewshed that can be measured from example pictures at each camera location. Besides its application in studies on the patterns and mechanisms behind occupancy, relative abundance, richness, and detection, the data set presented here can be used to study species' daily activity patterns, activity levels, and spatiotemporal interactions between species. Moreover, data can be used combined with other data sources in the multiple and expanding uses of integrated population modeling. An R script is available to view summaries of the data set. We expect that this data set will be used to advance the knowledge of mammal assemblages and to inform evidence-based solutions for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. The data are not copyright restricted; please cite this paper when using the data.

Land-use patterns and fungal bioaerosols in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome

Whilst the importance of fungal primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs) has been recognised, few studies have empirically assessed how land-use patterns influence them. Here, we show the impacts of different land-use patterns on fungal PBAPs within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. Spanning a distance of ca. 600 km within this biome, we collected fungal bioaerosols in the following land-use patterns: a 25-year-old coffee plantation, a 2.5-year-old Eucalyptus plantation, a 3-months-old maize crop, a 2-year-old and another 7-year-old native forest reforestation area, and a native forest fragment. Using the portable Burkard air sampler, a total of 14 morphotype-species were found. Cladosporium sp. comprised as much as about 95% of all fungal spores collected, being present in all samples (frequency of 100%). Forest systems had as much as 5-to-19-fold more fungal spores in the air than maize crops. Sampling height and time (morning vs. afternoon) did not influence fungal concentration and number of species. In addition, using data derived from an eddy covariance tower in the Eucalyptus site, we estimated the emission rate to be 6649 spores m−2 s−1. Our study confirms that land-use patterns affect fungal PBAPs, and that replacing large areas of native Atlantic Forest by monospecific stands, a homogenisation of airborne fungi is occurring, with unknown consequences for climate regulation.

Comprehensive conservation assessments reveal high extinction risks across Atlantic Forest trees.

Biodiversity is declining globally, yet many biodiversity hotspots still lack comprehensive species conservation assessments. Using multiple International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria to evaluate extinction risks and millions of herbarium and forest inventory records, we present automated conservation assessments for all tree species of the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, including ~1100 heretofore unassessed species. About 65% of all species and 82% of endemic species are classified as threatened. We rediscovered five species classified as Extinct on the IUCN Red List and identified 13 endemics as possibly extinct. Uncertainties in species information had little influence on the assessments, but using fewer Red List criteria severely underestimated threat levels. We suggest that the conservation status of tropical forests worldwide is worse than previously reported.

Predicting bird diversity through acoustic indices within the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot

The increasing conversion of natural areas for anthropic land use has been a major cause of habitat loss, destabilizing ecosystems and leading to a biodiversity crisis. Passive acoustic sensors open the possibility of remotely sensing fauna on large spatial and temporal scales, improving our understanding of the current state of biodiversity and the effects of human influences. Acoustic indices have been widely used and tested in recent years, with an aim towards understanding the relationship between indices and the acoustic activity of several taxa in different types of environments. However, studies have shown divergent relationships between acoustic indices and the vocal activity of most soniferous taxa. A combination of indices has, in turn, been reported as a promising tool for representing biodiversity in different contexts. We used uni- and bivariate models to test different combinations of 8 common indices in relation to bird assemblage metrics. We recorded twenty-two study sites in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and three different types of environments in each site (forest, pasture, and swamp). Our results showed that 1) the best acoustic indices for explaining bird richness, abundance, and diversity were Bioacoustic and Acoustic Complexity; 2) the type of environment (forest, pasture, and swamp) influenced the performance of acoustic indices in explaining bird biodiversity, with the highest score model (biggest R2 value) being a combination between Acoustic Diversity and Bioacoustic indices. Our results do support the use of acoustic indices in monitoring the acoustic activity of birds, but combining indices is encouraged since it provided the best results. However, given the divergence we found across environments, we recommend that sets of indices are tested to determine which of them best describe the biodiversity pattern models for a specific habitat. Based on our results, we propose that biodiversity patterns can be predicted through acoustic patterns. However, the level of confidence will depend on the acoustic index used and on focal taxa of interest (i.e., birds, amphibians, insects, and mammals).

How did the animal come to cross the road? Drawing insights on animal movement from existing roadkill data and expert knowledge

ContextAnimal movement through the landscape is essential to several ecological processes, assuring genetic flow, reproductive success and population dynamics. In fragmented landscapes, species change their movement patterns according to their sensitivity to landscape cover and configuration. Increased landscape habitat loss and fragmentation affects resource distribution and habitat availability, compelling species to move more frequently through anthropized matrices.ObjectivesOur aim was to provide a new prospect for what is known about animal movement through the landscape anthropogenic matrix in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, by analyzing the potential movement distances of several mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian species.MethodsWe used recorded roadkills within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest as a source of information of species’ occurrence. We assumed the euclidean distance from the roadkill spot to the nearest forest fragment as the potential movement distance by different species through the anthropogenic matrix. Experts’ classification of species’ forest dependence degree, and animal movement information from the literature survey was used to analyze the variation in potential animal movement distance in these matrices.ResultsWe analyzed 90 species, the majority of them being non-forest dependent (n = 64; 71%). The potential movement distances ranged from 0 to > 1500 m, and forest-dependent species presented lower mean distances (between 772 and 978 m) than non-forest dependent species (between 673 and 1015 m). The literature survey resulted in 44 articles regarding animal movement in the matrix, referred only to 22 species. No articles were found for 20 species, mainly reptiles and amphibians.ConclusionsBy comparing these values to the average distance between forest remnants in the Atlantic Forest, we expect that the distance to be traveled through the matrix to reach forest fragments may be restrictive, mainly for species with higher degree of forest dependence. Despite being descriptive, our results provide important insights on animal movement through the matrix, especially for less studied species, such as amphibians and reptiles.

Minding the gap: Range size and economic use drive functional trait data gaps in the Atlantic forest

Biodiversity shortfalls are knowledge gaps that result from uneven sampling through time and space, and human interest of species. Gaps in functional trait data may hamper a more mechanistic understanding of the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem services, with potential negative implications for conservation and restoration practices. Here we aim to investigate the potential drivers of trait data gaps and where geographically they are in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We quantified trait gaps, in the literature and open access data bases, for eight key plant functional traits of 2335 trees species and evaluated if species range size and economic use of wood drive trait gaps among species. We also evaluated if urban areas, protected areas, mean economic use of wood, and mean range size drive trait gaps geographically. We found larger trait gaps for species with small range sizes and with no economic use. Geographically, we found that gaps are lower in locations harboring more species with economic use of wood, especially in Atlantic Forest eastern locations. Our results allowed us to highlight which species and areas should be prioritized when sampling for functional traits. Efforts towards filling trait gaps of species with small ranges and no economic use of wood and of eastern Atlantic Forest locations are essential to further advance conservation and restoration of the Atlantic Forest informed by theoretical advances in trait-based ecology.

Invasive Plant Species Driving the Biotic Homogenization of Plant-Frugivore Interactions in the Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Hotspot.

Although biological invasions are a common and intensively studied phenomenon, most studies often ignore the biotic interactions that invasive species play in the environment. Here, we evaluated how and why invasive plant species are interconnected within the overall frugivory network of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, an important global biodiversity hotspot. To do this, we used the recently published Atlantic Frugivory Dataset to build a meta-network (i.e., a general network made of several local networks) that included interactions between 703 native and invasive plant species and 331 frugivore species. Using tools derived from complex network theory and a bootstrap simulation approach, we found that the general structure of the Atlantic Forest frugivory network (i.e., nestedness and modularity) is robust against the entry of invasive plant species. However, we observed that invasive plant species are highly integrated within the frugivory networks, since both native and invasive plant species play similar structural roles (i.e., plant status is not strong enough to explain the interactive roles of plant species). Moreover, we found that plants with smaller fruits and with greater lipid content play a greater interactive role, regardless of their native or invasive status. Our findings highlight the biotic homogenization involving plant-frugivore interactions in the Atlantic Forest and that the impacts and consequences of invasive plant species on native fauna can be anticipated based on the characteristics of their fruits.

Rainfall effects on vertical profiles of airborne fungi over a mixed land-use context at the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot

Whilst fungi are a large fraction of primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs) and their impact on global climate has been widely recognised, few studies have empirically assessed fungal vertical profiles and diversity relating those with rainfall. Here, we show the results of fungal PBAPs before and after a rainfall event during a fieldwork campaign using a hot-air balloon over a mixed land-use context at the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. Four flights of c. 1 hour each were performed in the early morning from 8th until 11th of March 2022, and data were collected at three sampling heights (0, 150 and 300 m). Rainfall estimation using IMERG data indicated the precipitation event was of 15–20 mm and ERA5/ECMWF data highlighted that most of the airborne samples were taken above the boundary layer height. After the rainfall, the concentration of fungal spores at the ground level remained unchanged, whereas it was reduced to between 2- and 2.5-fold for the 150 and the 300 m heights, respectively. This was also accompanied by a reduction in the number of Pink-CFU, indicating a major drop in fungal PBAPs at higher altitudes associated with the rain. In addition, total spore concentration indicated Cladosporium sp. as dominant at all sampling heights, accounting for more than 80% of all spores, whereas Aspergillus/Penicillium-like represented less than 20%. Our results show the effects of rainfall and altitude on the concentration of fungal PBAPs, indicating how wet removal impacts fungi vertical profiles which has knock-on-effects on cloud and precipitation formation.

Loss of endangered frugivores from seed dispersal networks generates severe mutualism disruption.

Many tropical seed-dispersing frugivores are facing extinction, but the consequences of the loss of endangered frugivores for seed dispersal is not well understood. We investigated the role of frugivore endangerment status via robustness-to-coextinction simulations (in this context, more accurately described as robustness-to-partner-loss simulations) using data from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. By simulating the extinction of endangered frugivores, we found a rapid and disproportionate loss of tree species with dispersal partners in the network, and this surprisingly surpassed any other frugivore extinction scenario, including the loss of the most generalist frugivores first. A key driver of this pattern is that many specialist plants rely on at-risk frugivores as seed-dispersal partners. Moreover, interaction compensation in the absence of endangered frugivores may be unlikely because frugivores with growing populations forage on fewer plant species than frugivores with declining populations. Therefore, protecting endangered frugivores could be critical for maintaining tropical forest seed dispersal, and their loss may have higher-than-expected functional consequences for tropical forests, their regeneration processes, and the maintenance of tropical plant diversity.

Evolutionary history of marginal habitats regulates the diversity of tree communities in the Atlantic Forest.

The Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot is a complex mosaic of habitat types. However, the diversity of the rain forest at the core of this complex has received far more attention than that of its marginal habitats, such as cloud forest, semi-deciduous forest or restinga. Here, we investigate broad-scale angiosperm tree diversity patterns along elevation gradients in the south-east Atlantic Forest and test if the diversity of marginal habitats is shaped from the neighbouring rain forest, as commonly thought. We calculated phylogenetic indices that capture basal [mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (MPD)] and terminal [mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD)] phylogenetic variation, phylogenetic endemism (PE) and taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity (BD and PBD) for 2074 angiosperm tree species distributed in 108 circular sites of 10 km diameter across four habitat types i.e. rain forest, cloud forest, semi-deciduous forest and coastal vegetation known as restinga. We then related these metrics to elevation and environmental variables. Communities in wetter and colder forests show basal phylogenetic overdispersion and short phylogenetic distances towards the tips, respectively. In contrast, communities associated with water deficit and salinity show basal phylogenetic clustering and no phylogenetic structure toward the tips. Unexpectedly, rain forest shows low PE given its species richness, whereas cloud and semi-deciduous forests show unusually high PE. The BD and PBD between most habitat types are driven by the turnover of species and lineages, except for restinga. Our results contradict the idea that all marginal habitat types of the Atlantic Forest are sub-sets of the rain forest. We show that marginal habitat types have different evolutionary histories and may act as 'equilibrium zones for biodiversity' in the Atlantic Forest, generating new species or conserving others. Overall, our results add evolutionary insights that reinforce the urgency of encompassing all habitat types in the Atlantic Forest concept.

Egg development and viability in three species of Cyclocephala (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae).

Different species of Cyclocephala scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae) perform key functional roles in both natural and agricultural systems, such as the cycling of organic matter and pollination, while also being known as destructive pests both as immatures and adults. Therefore, the identification of biological parameters is crucial for defining strategies for their conservation and efficient pest management. In a forest fragment within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, we field-captured adult individuals of Cyclocephala cearae, C. celata, and C. paraguayensis then reared and bred them under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. On a daily basis, we individually weighted eggs of all three species, from oviposition until hatching, and monitored egg development parameters (i.e., incubation duration, viability, and egg weight increase). Our findings provide novel empirical evidence showing (i) a positive correlation between egg weight and incubation duration, (ii) idiosyncratic characteristics on egg development, and (iii) a negative (involuntary) effect of manipulation on egg development and viability. Thus, the successful breeding and rearing of Cyclocephala spp. is correlated with egg integrity and the targeted species. Our analyses present a quantitative understanding of the egg phase and can assist in refining strategies for ovicidal activity and pest management of Cyclocephala spp. in agriculture systems. Moreover, they can provide a basis for new studies related to captivity breeding, pollinator management, and developmental biology for biodiversity conservation.

Growing at the forest edges: how natural regeneration develops under fragmentation

Environmental changes caused by edge effects and matrix land use can interfere with plant community resilience and, consequently, alter forest succession. Here, we aimed to (i) investigate whether species composition, density and richness in a forest’s regeneration layer vary in its edge-to-interior gradient and (ii) analyze the relationship between regeneration and local abiotic variables. We conducted the study in the lowland rainforest of the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot at the Córrego Grande Biological Reserve, Espírito Santo state, Brazil. We sampled the regeneration layer in two edge environments with different matrices (forest and road) and the fragmented interior to link vegetation structure with environmental variables. In each environment, we set up 12 plots of 5 × 10 m size and recorded, in each plot, the height and stem base diameter of all living individuals above 50 cm of height and below 2.5 cm of diameter at breast height (1.30 m height). We applied different multivariate analyses to assess the influence of environmental data, such as canopy openness and physical-chemical soil variables. The three environments shared 22 out of the 174 morphospecies recorded, and the forest-side edge had the lowest species richness among all environments. The environmental variables that better explained the distribution of species across the three environments were: canopy openness, soil penetration resistance, zinc, and calcium content. Our results revealed significant environmental differences among the forest edges and the forest interior of the study site, highlighting the relevant role of the forest surrounding matrix for the maintenance of protected remnants.

Species distribution modeling allied with land-use reveal priority sites and species for palm (Arecaceae) conservation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Palms species (Arecaceae) are abundant in tropical forests and influence ecosystems in important ways. Moreover, they are a relevant feature in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. In this study, we seek to better understand the distribution of palm richness in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, with the aim to support conservation decisions and actions. Maps for 15 palm species were generated through species distribution modeling and then stacked into a palm richness map, which was further combined with current land-use and protected area maps to generate a realistic portrayal of the current situation of Arecaceae in the state. Our results revealed an increasing inland-to-coast pattern of richness that matches the biogeographical subdivision of the Atlantic Forest. Considering the land-use information, the palm species potential distribution is drastically reduced, especially for some species which already have a restricted distribution in the state. We also identified the most relevant protected areas for the conservation of palms in the state and those which might have been overlooked in floristic inventories, thus requiring more detailed investigation. Moreover, we point out those species with few points, for which species distribution models could not be built, and argue that they are the ones more likely to be threatened by habitat loss and should be the focus of specimen collection and recording. Finally, we draw attention to a large medium-richness remnant located between two protected areas which probably functions as a connection between them and should be a priority area for conservation.

OURATEA YAMAMOTOANA (OCHNACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST

The new species Ouratea yamamotoana (Ochnaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot is described and illustrated. The new species resembles Ouratea camposportoi, from which it differs by the persistent stipules, chartaceous leaves with cordate or slightly auriculate base, flowers with smaller pedicels, spathulate or elliptic petals, longer gynophore, and fruit with a subterete to clavate carpophore. It is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) using IUCN Red List criteria and highlights the threats to the highly endemic plant diversity of the Atlantic Forest. 
  

Climatic distribution of tree species in the Atlantic Forest

AbstractSpecies under milder climates (e.g., warm and wet) tend to experience lower variability in temperature and rainfall regimes and might occur in narrower climatic ranges than species that tolerate harsher conditions (e.g., cold or dry climates). Thus, tree species that occur under harsh conditions should have a broader climatic range, being a small subset of the flora. Here, we assess the influence of climate on species distribution of 1138 tree species from the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We investigate their range (or niche breadth), and the “center of gravity” index (or niche optima), along with gradients of mean annual temperature and climatic water deficit (CWD). We further identified those species associated with conditions on different ends of temperature and moisture gradients. We found a small subset of species occurring under colder temperatures or under drier conditions, and these species had a wider niche breadth. The warm or wet‐affiliated species had narrower ranges along with the temperature and the CWD gradients, respectively. Moreover, species affiliated to warm and those to moister conditions had greater densities near their occurrence limits, thus they may be more susceptible to climate changes. We conclude that global climate changes will affect the incidence and abundance distribution patterns of tree species along this threatened biodiversity hotspot, mainly those with narrow niches and within the limit of its distribution.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material

Mapping functional tree regions of the Atlantic Forest: how much is left and opportunities for conservation

SummaryMany biomes still lack an overall view of their macro-functional structure (i.e., natural biogeographical regions and zones), including the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. The effective design of protected areas depends on the spatial identification of units with ecologically distinct content, whether it be floristic, phylogenetic or functional. This study used a regionalization approach to identify the potential functional regions of the Atlantic Forest by interpolating functional data from forest remnants into the entire original occurrence area of the biome, including deforested lands. Conservation status was then estimated. Analysis of seven traits of leaf, wood, seed and plant size revealed that the biome is structured over 14 functional regions and three zones (clusters of regions). Functional regions represented specific combinations of traits rather than being characterized by extremely high or low values of a single trait. They retained an average of 29.5% of forest remnants (range: 7.63–54.66%) and 10.82% of protected areas (range: 0.35–35.78%). By analysing the functional space occupied by all regions, captured by two principal component analysis axes using the pixel-level information contained in interpolated trait maps, we showed that large parts of this space were not covered by forest remnants or protected areas and that the most represented regions had serious deficits in protected areas. Although the Serra do Mar mountain range in the south and south-east Atlantic Forest is relevant as a centre of species endemism and richness and has received considerable attention for carrying out ecological studies and creating protection areas, this range does not fully encompass the functional biodiversity of such a rich biome. Our results demonstrate the potential for combining regionalization and conservation approaches to unravel the macro-structures of biomes.

Biodiversity hotspots for conservation of Hancornia speciosa Gomes

Hancornia speciosa is one target species for genetic diversity ethnobotanical and medicinal applications within the Brazilian Northeast Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. However, information on the genetic variability of populations associated with modeling the potential distribution in the state of Sergipe has not yet been performed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to predict the potential occurrence of H. speciosa in areas in which fruits are intensively used in an extractive practice. The maximum entropy method was used to detect the distribution patterns of H. speciosa in variable environments within the referred hotspot. The diversity of four natural populations, situated in areas of extractivism, was determined by ISSR molecular markers. The species appears to occur more densely in the coastal regions of the state of Sergipe. However, data prediction occurrence indicates that the areas of natural presence have been reduced due to anthropic actions.

Gene Flow and Genetic Structure Reveal Reduced Diversity between Generations of a Tropical Tree, Manilkara multifida Penn., in Atlantic Forest Fragments.

The Atlantic Forest remnants in southern Bahia, Brazil, contain large tree species that have suffered disturbances in recent decades. Anthropogenic activities have led to a decrease in the population of many tree species and a loss of alleles that can maintain the evolutionary fitness of their populations. This study assessed patterns of genetic diversity, spatial genetic structure, and genetic structure among Manilkara multifida Penn. populations, comparing the genetic parameters of adult and juvenile trees. In particular, we collected leaves from adults and juveniles of M. multifida in two protected areas, the Veracel Station (EVC) and the Una Biological Reserve (UBR), located in threatened Atlantic Forest fragments. We observed a substantial decay in genetic variability between generations in both areas i.e., adults’ HO values were higher (EVC = 0.720, UBR = 0.736) than juveniles’ (EVC = 0.463 and UBR = 0.560). Both juveniles and adults showed genetic structure between the two areas (θ = 0.017 for adults and θ = 0.109 for juveniles). Additionally, forest fragments indicated an unexpectedly short gene flow. Our results, therefore, highlight the pervasive effects of historical deforestation and other human disturbances on the genetic diversity of M. multifida populations within a key conservation region of the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot.

Macroscale climate change predictions have little influence on landscape-scale habitat suitability

Although a few studies have addressed the combined effects of climate change and habitat loss on biodiversity at a regional scale, the extent to which climate change will impact species occurrence at the landscape scale remains unclear. We evaluated the potential effects of climate change at the landscape scale for 11 bird species endemic to the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We quantified current and future climatic suitability for each species using ecological niche models, and quantified habitat amount and structure using connectivity analyses. Climate and landscape suitability were then combined using two approaches, which differed in the spatial scale at which climate was quantified. First, we incorporated climate at patch-level into the probability of connectivity (PC) index, obtaining a Combined Landscape Suitability (CLS) index. Second, we multiplied climate at landscape-level with PC. Climatic suitability at the landscape scale was predicted to vary little (<3%) from current to future conditions and there was a high correlation between current and future CLS and PC x climate, regardless of the method used and species’ trait differences (r ≥ 0.95 for all species). Landscapes that currently have the highest suitability for birds are likely to remain highly suitable in the future, regardless of climate change. For Atlantic Forest endemic birds, our results suggest that climate change will have minor effects on landscape-level, which does not exclude potential impacts at a regional scale. This study supports the growing perception that, in tropical regions, land-use change is an urgent threat to biodiversity.

Downscaling the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot: Using the distribution of bats to find smaller hotspots with conservation priority

The Atlantic Forest (AF) is one of the most important and threatened biodiversity hotspots worldwide, and despite its wide geographical extension, only 9.1% of its area is under legal protection. Due to the low investment of resources, it is important to identify conservation priority areas for the AF and one effective strategy is the detection of smaller biodiversity hotspots within the AF. In the current study, we used a Geographic Interpolation of Endemism analysis with different scales to determine the main endemic areas of 55 Phyllostomidae bat species for the AF. We identified eight endemic areas that were highly dissimilar due to species turnover (βsim = 0.44) and that have already been indicated as areas of endemism for other taxa. Only 18.5% of the endemic areas are legally protected, while nearly 43% of the land cover consists of farming. Information available at ICMBio (Instituto Chico Medes de Conservação da Biodiversidade) and PADDDtracker.org indicate that Conservation Units (CUs) within the endemic areas are mainly categorized as of “Sustainable Use” and presented several management shortcoming (e.g. lack of information in environmental management plans; moderate to low management effectiveness; reduced investments; threat of area reduction). We recommend strengthening the policies for the CUs, strengthening and maintaining the management of current CUs, as a way of moving towards a more “biodiversity friendly” landscape with justice and social equity. Moreover, the strategy presented here can increase the cost-benefit relationship for the establishment and planning of CUs in other biodiversity hotspots and ecoregions.