Predicting Regional Patterns of Similarity in Species Composition for Conservation Planning

Abstract

In a review of recent challenges in conservation planning, Ferrier (2002) proposed the incorporation of models of similarity in species composition as a means for prioritizing areas for biodiversity conservation. A key assumption of this approach is that estimates of compositional similarity derived from models of similarity in species composition can be used as effective surrogates for real similarity data. We used data on snail distribution in Israel to test this assumption. We used two types of models to analyze patterns of similarity in species composition: one based on presence/absence data and the second based on abundance data. Both models accounted for large amounts of the observed variation in compositional similarity. Variation-partitioning analysis indicated that a considerable amount of the variation in compositional similarity could be separated into "pure" geographical versus "pure" environmental components, indicating that reserve selection procedures should take into account spatial considerations in determining priorities for conservation. The relative effects of geographical versus environmental factors varied between the two types of models, indicating that different indices of similarity should be used if one wishes to represent species composition per se or ecological communities including their relative species abundances. A comparison of distribution patterns of land snails and land birds in a subset of the study sites revealed a high degree of congruence in compositional similarity between the two groups. Moreover, compositional similarity in snails was a better predictor of compositional similarity in birds compared with all environmental and geographical distances taken together. Models calibrated based on data collected in small plots explained a considerable amount of the variation observed at larger scales, suggesting that sampling efforts required for conservation planning might be lower (and thus, more feasible) than assumed previously. Models of similarity in species composition may serve as an important tool for conservation planning.Resumen: En una revisión de los recientes retos de la planificación de la conservación, Ferrier (2002) propuso la incorporación de modelos de similitud en la composición de especies como una manera de priorizaŕ areas para conservación de la biodiversidad. Una suposición clave de este método es que se pueden utilizar las estimaciones de similitud en la composición derivadas de modelos de similitud en la composición de especies como sustitutos efectivos de datos reales de similitud. Utilizamos datos de la distribución de caracoles terrestres en Israel para probar esta suposición. Utilizamos dos tipos de modelo para analizar patrones de similitud en la composición de especies: uno con base en datos de presencia/ausencia y el segundo con base en datos de abundancia. Ambos modelos explicaron gran parte de la variación observada en la similitud en la composición. El análisis de partición de la variación indicó que una parte considerable de la variación en ...

Macrophysiology for a changing world

“…Although surrogates have been employed, this process is typically based on information on the spatial distribution (and abundance) of key species (Steinitz et al 2005;Grenyer et al 2006). For most groups and places adequate information is not available, and increasing reliance is being placed on modelling species distributions (Guisan & Thuiller 2005;Moisen et al 2006): an approach that has been criticized on several grounds.…”

Inventory, differentiation, and proportional diversity: a consistent terminology for quantifying species diversity

“…Beta diversity has been used to test nichebased models against neutral models of species assembly (e.g., Ruokolainen et al 1997;Condit et al 2002;Tuomisto et al 2003;Chust et al 2006) and for the evaluation of distance decay at continental scales (Nekola and White 1999;Qian et al 1998). To a smaller extent, the concept has also been employed in conservation-related studies (e.g., Steinitz et al 2005;Wiersma and Urban 2005) or in studies on biological homogenization (e.g., McKinney 2004; Jurasinski and Kreyling 2007).…”

Biogeographic patterns on Kimberley islands, Western Australia

“…Several other studies have also reported cross-taxon congruence in community similarity (or complementarity) (e.g. Howard et al 1998;Oliver et al 1998;Moritz et al 2001;Steinitz et al 2005;Su et al 2004;Pawar et al 2007). Dispersal capacity has been shown to infl uence the degree of cross-taxon congruence in community similarity (Moritz et al 2001;Graham et al 2006;Pawar et al 2007).…”