scholarly journals High conservation priority of range-edge plant populations not matched by habitat protection or research effort

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Caissy ◽  
S. Klemet-N’Guessan ◽  
R. Jackiw ◽  
C.G. Eckert ◽  
A. L. Hargreaves
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Habitat Protection ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
Relative Conservation ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Edge Populations

ABSTRACTHigh-latitude countries tend to contain the polar range-edge of many species that are nationally rare but globally common. This can focus national conservation efforts toward range-edge populations, whose conservation needs and value are disputed. Using plants in Canada as a case study, we ask whether national species-conservation rankings prioritize range-edge populations, and whether conservation priority is matched by habitat protection and research effort. We found that >75% of federally-protected plants only occur in Canada peripherally, at the northernmost 20% or less of their total range, and that the most imperilled taxa had the smallest percentage of their range in Canada (endangered plants: median=1.0%). Occurring peripherally in Canada was associated with higher threat even after accounting for range area, potentially because range-edge taxa experienced 85% higher human population densities in their Canadian range than non-peripheral taxa. High conservation priority was not matched by habitat protection, as more imperilled and more peripheral taxa had smaller fractions of their Canadian range in protected areas. Finally, peer-reviewed research on plants at-risk in Canada was low. Only 42% of plants considered at-risk in Canada had been studied in Canada, and only 11% of species with large distributions outside Canada had been studied in the context of their wider geographic range—information that is critical to establishing their relative conservation value. Our results illustrate that plant conservation in Canada is fundamentally linked to conserving range-edge populations, yet edge populations themselves are understudied, a research gap we must close to improve evidence-based conservation.

scholarly journals High conservation priority of range-edge plant populations not matched by habitat protection or research effort

2020 ◽  
Vol 249 ◽  
pp. 108732
Author(s):  
P. Caissy ◽  
S. Klemet-N'Guessan ◽  
R. Jackiw ◽  
C.G. Eckert ◽  
A.L. Hargreaves
Keyword(s):  
Research Effort ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Plant Populations ◽  
Habitat Protection ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
High Conservation

scholarly journals Spatial distribution and hotspots of mammals in Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Cameron ◽  
Anna L. Hargreaves
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Grid Cell ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
Threat Status ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
As Species ◽  
Edge Populations ◽  
Mammal Diversity

AbstractHigh-latitude countries often contain the polar range edge of species that are common farther south. The more peripherally a species occurs in a country, the smaller its national range will be and the more its national range will consist of range-edge populations, which are often predicted to be relatively small, isolated, and unproductive. Together, this may focus national conservation efforts toward peripheral species whose global conservation value is controversial. However, if range-edge taxa occur where overall diversity is also high, there would be fewer trade-offs in protecting them. Using 153 of the 158 terrestrial mammal species in Canada, we tested how species’ distributions relate to their national conservation status and total mammal richness. Half of ‘Canadian’ mammals had <20% of their global range in Canada. Range area in Canada was strongly associated with national threat status; mammals considered ‘at-risk’ in Canada had 42% smaller Canadian ranges than mammals considered secure. However, after accounting for range area, being more peripheral (smaller proportion of global range in Canada) did not increase the likelihood that a taxon was considered at-risk. We overlaid the 153 maps to calculate mammal diversity across Canada, divided into 100×100 km grid cells. We found that hotspots of at-risk mammals (cells with >4 at-risk taxa) and hotspots of range-edge mammals (cells with >12 taxa with ≤20% of their range in Canada) were about twice as species rich as non-hotspot cells, containing up to 44% of Canadian mammal diversity per grid-cell. Our results suggest that protecting areas with the most at-risk or range-edge mammals would simultaneously protect habitat for many species currently deemed secure.

The phytogeography of rare vascular plants in Ontario and its bearing on plant conservation

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
George W. Argus
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Rare Plants ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Rare Taxa ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Further Development

The phytogeographic patterns displayed by the 550 rare vascular plant taxa in Ontario, including 349 that are rare nationally, are correlated with counties, site regions, and floristic provinces. Rare taxa are concentrated in southwestern Ontario decreasing northward, with secondary concentrations along the Hudson Bay coast. Rare taxa in Ontario are predominantly peripheral taxa, which have their main ranges outside of Ontario. Many of these taxa, however, have a high Canadian conservation priority because they are also at risk in adjacent states or provinces. Rare taxa with Appalachian and Coastal Plain affinities are most common in southwestern Ontario. Arctic and boreal affinities predominate in Northern Ontario. These patterns are correlated with temperature and moisture parameters, which are incorporated with the Hills' site regions classification. Most high conservation priority taxa occur in the Carolinian region, the most highly settled and most highly agriculturalized part of the province. There is an urgent need for conservation of the remaining forest and wetlands in this region. The fragmentary ecosystems still remaining must be protected from further development. There is a need to study the correlation of rare plant occurrences with existing parks and reserves throughout the province to facilitate the identification of priority regions for protection. Key words: rare plants, phytogeography, conservation, Ontario.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution and conservation hotspots of mammals in Canada

FACETS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 692-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Cameron ◽  
Anna L. Hargreaves
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Grid Cell ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
Threat Status ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
As Species ◽  
Edge Populations ◽  
Mammal Diversity

High-latitude countries often contain the polar range edge of species that are common farther south, potentially focusing national conservation efforts toward range-edge populations. The global conservation value of edge populations is controversial, but if they occur where biodiversity is high, there need not be trade-offs in protecting them. Using 152 of 158 terrestrial mammal species in Canada, we tested how species’ distributions relate to their national conservation status and total mammal richness. We found that half of “Canadian” mammals had <20% of their global range in Canada. National threat status was strongly associated with range area; mammals considered “at risk” had 42% smaller Canadian ranges than mammals considered secure. However, after accounting for range area, taxa with smaller proportions of their global range in Canada were not more likely to be considered at risk, suggesting edge populations are not inherently more vulnerable. When we calculated mammal diversity across Canada (100 × 100 km grid cells), we found that hotspots of at-risk or range-edge mammals were twice as species rich as nonhotspot cells, containing up to 44% of Canadian mammal diversity per grid cell. Our results suggest that protecting areas with the most at-risk or range-edge mammals would simultaneously protect habitat for many species currently deemed secure.

scholarly journals Analysis of landscape structure, habitat selection and urbanisation in edge populations of Scops Owls Otus scops in Central Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-36
Author(s):  
Ákos Klein ◽  
István Szentirmai ◽  
Zsófia Dobos ◽  
Miklós Laczi
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Edge Length ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
Rural Market ◽  
Nature Park ◽  
Edge Populations ◽  
Intensively Managed

AbstractThe habitat selection of Scops Owl Otus scops has not been studied in Hungary so far. The population in the Carpathian Basin can be considered as a range edge population. Yet, studying and conserving breeding population at the edge of the species’ range is important for the evolutionary potential of the species. In the present study, we examined Scops Owl populations situated on both sides of the Hungarian-Slovenian border. Although breeding density is significantly higher in Slovenia than in Hungary, we found no difference in the ecological diversity of the Goričko Nature Park (GNP), Slovenia and Vas County, Hungary. We found that both the proportion and total edge length of dry grasslands and intensively managed mesic grasslands were lower in Hungary. Similarly, market gardens were present in a larger proportion in GNP. These landscape features all indicate that the complex cultivation is still pronounced in GNP, favouring the Sops Owl as less intensive cultivation modes, like rural market gardens and grasslands play a key role in its habitat selection. Points with Scops Owl observations appeared to be closer to settlements than randomly generated points. They also were observed farther from primary roads than from secondary roads. This is in accordance with other studies revealing that these nocturnal birds avoid noisy roads. We briefly discuss why conserving range edge populations is important, and how time and effort optimised species conservation measures should accompany landscape protection at the political level.

Population densities and conservation assessments for three species of chameleons in the Toliara region of south-western Madagascar

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laza Andriamandimbiarisoa ◽  
Christopher Raxworthy ◽  
Kristopher Karsten ◽  
Stanley Fox
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitats ◽  
Spread F ◽  
Illegal Harvesting ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Assessments ◽  
Lower Population

AbstractMadagascar is a high conservation priority. Rainforests receive most of the focus, but the dry deciduous and spiny forests of south-western Madagascar house many endemics, are under high deforestation pressure, and remain largely unprotected. Charismatic vertebrates, like chameleons, face a secondary threat: harvesting for the commercial pet trade. Six chameleons inhabit the arid southwest near Toliara: Furcifer antimena, F. belalandaensis, F. labordi, F. lateralis, F. oustaleti, and F. verrucosus. We measured population densities of three of those species. Furcifer verrucosus has a large distribution, was dense (97.7 ha–1; 95% CI = 60.2-158.6), and inhabited forests and anthropogenic habitats. Furcifer labordi was much less dense (30.8 ha–1; 13.4-70.9), has a restricted range, and has a unique life history that makes it susceptible to perturbations from deforestation or illegal harvesting. Furcifer antimena was the least dense (17.0 ha–1; 9.3-30.9) and has an even smaller distribution range. We lack density data for F. lateralis, but this species was abundant in anthropogenic habitats. Within their respective ranges, there are currently no protected areas for F. antimena and only few for F. labordi; these two species are far less abundant than the more widely spread F. verrucosus. We recommend that high conservation priority be focused on F. antimena and the southern populations of F. labordi due to their restricted distributions, susceptibility to extirpation, lower population densities, and lack of formal protection. Establishing protected areas in the Ranobe region and north of the Fiherenana River, in the Belalanda region, would help protect important populations of these vulnerable species.

Revision of the Pachycondyla wasmannii-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3609 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-141
Author(s):  
JEAN CLAUDE RAKOTONIRINA ◽  
BRIAN L. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
Identification Key ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Species Limits ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
High Conservation

Defining species limits and describing species of ants are important to identify taxa and habitats with elevated diversity in areas of high conservation priority such as the Malagasy region. The Pachycondyla wasmannii-group is revised in the Malagasy region where eight species are recognized, four of which are new: P. masoala sp. n., P. planicornis sp. n., P. tavaratra sp. n., and P. vazimba sp. n. Four species have been previously described: P. cambouei Forel, P. comorensis (André), P. perroti Forel, and P. wasmannii Forel. Pachycondyla perroti admista Forel is newly synonymized under P. perroti. Pachycondyla cambouei is widespread in eastern Madagascar, morphologically variable, and divided into seven morphotypes. An identification key to species and distribution maps are provided for the genus in the Malagasy region. All species are known only from Madagascar except P. wasmannii, which occurs also on Anjouan of the Comoros Islands.

scholarly journals Genetic patterns in range-edge populations of Vaccinium species from the central Balkans: implications on conservation prospects and sustainable usage

Silva Fennica ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Bjedov ◽  
Dragica Obratov–Petković ◽  
Danijela Mišić ◽  
Branislav Šiler ◽  
Jelena Aleksic
Keyword(s):  
Range Edge ◽  
Genetic Patterns ◽  
Edge Populations ◽  
Sustainable Usage

Urban conservation gardening in the decade of restoration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingmar Staude ◽  
Josiane Segar ◽  
Corey Thomas Callaghan ◽  
Emma Ladouceur ◽  
Jasper Meya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Urban Conservation ◽  
Native Plant Species ◽  
Native Seed ◽  
Conservation Gardening

Global commitments to species conservation have failed to halt systematic widespread declines in plant species. Current policy interventions, such as protected areas and legal species legislation, remain insufficient, and there is an urgent need to engage novel approaches and actors in conservation. Here, we propose that urban conservation gardening, namely the cultivation of declining native plant species in public and private green spaces, can be one such approach. Conservation gardening can address key (a)biotic drivers of species decline, act as a critical dispersal pathway and increase the occupancy of declining native species. We identify policy mechanisms to upscale conservation gardening to a mainstream activity by reforming the existing horticultural market into an innovative nature protection instrument. This involves incentivizing the integration of the native seed sector, leveraging existing certification and labelling schemes, promoting consumer access, as well as building citizen-science projects to foster public engagement. Mainstreamed conservation gardening can be an economically viable, sustainable, and participatory measure that complements traditional approaches to plant conservation.

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