GAP analysis on national nature reserves in China based on the distribution of endangered species

Abstract

We defined all plant and animal species under level-I special state protection, and avian species classified as CR and EN in the IUCN Red List as the most concerned endangered species (MCES). GAP analysis was first applied to national nature reserves (NRs) in China based on the distribution of MCES. Through historical specimen collection data, published research articles on MCES, and bird-watching records, we collected occurrence sites for 96 MCES. We simulated 46 species (with at least 5 known occurrence sites) distributions using a Maxent model and drew scatter diagrams with occurrence sites of 50 other species (with little information). Distribution coverage of each MCES by national NRs was calculated. We defined the geological grid (0.8421º) on which at least 10 MCES would occur as a hotspot for MCES, and the grid on which at least 3 mammals, or 8 birds, or 3 plants of MCES as a hotspot for mammals, birds, and plants of MCES, respectively. The coverage of these hotspots by national NRs was also calculated. We found that there are only 16 MCES with over 10% range covered by national NRs. By 2014, national NRs only covered 8.27% of MCES hotspots, and 10.9%, 1.13%, and 7.26% of mammals, birds and plants MCES hotspots, respectively. The results indicated that there is a significant gap between sufficient coverage of national NRs and MCES distribution and their hotspots in China. The coverage of national NRs for birds, especially long-distance migrants, is exceptionally low, while the greatest gap of NRs occurs in hotspots for MCES in •中国自然观察专题• 生 物 多 样 性 Biodiversity Science 第 23 卷 east and south China.

Effectiveness of protected areas for vertebrates based on taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity

“…In China national PAs cover only a fraction of the most endangered animal hotspots: 10.9% for mammals, 1.13% for birds, and 7.26% for plants (Wen et al. ). So, the efficiency of the PA system in China for conserving PD may not be too bad, but it is still far from satisfactory.…”

“…In China coverage by nature reserves is greater in cold and barren regions, such as the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, whereas warm and productive regions are relatively poorly covered (Wen et al. ). For example, the Qiangtang Nature Reserve for Tibetan Antelope ( Pantholops hodgsonii ), wild donkey ( Equus kiang ), and Przewalski's gazelle ( Procapra przewalskii ) covers over 250,000 km 2 and makes up about 20% of the total area of all national and provincial reserves.…”

“…; Wen et al. ). However, the mismatch between contemporary PA design and diversity priorities is still considerable (Rodrigues et al.…”

“…; Wen et al. ). And, the PA network in Brazil's Cerrado does not cover the higher‐than‐expected PD and FD sites for bats and nonflying mammals (Carvalho et al.…”

“…Fortunately, gaps between diversity priorities and existing PAs can be identified readily by overlaying maps of PAs with maps of the distributions of threatened species and regions in geographic information systems (Scott et al 1993). Based on such a gap analysis, many researchers have suggested amendments to PA systems for various taxa at local, regional, and global levels (e.g., Powell et al 2000;Rodrigues et al 2004a;Wen et al 2015). However, the mismatch between contemporary PA design and diversity priorities is still considerable (Rodrigues et al 2004b).…”