Protected area network insufficiently represents climatic niches of endemic plants in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot

Ludovicy, Simon; Noroozi, Jalil; Semenchuk, Philipp; Moser, Dietmar; Wessely, Johannes; Talebi, Amir; Dullinger, Stefan

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109768

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…), constraining the availability of alternative habitats for alpine species to shift up to. Therefore, as suggested in previous publications (Fayvush & Aleksanyan, 2020; Jowkar et al, 2016; Ludovicy et al, 2022; Noroozi et al, 2021; Noroozi, Naqinezhad, et al, 2019; Parolly, 2020; Şekercioğlu et al, 2011), to reduce the effects of the ongoing global change and land‐use, both establishment of new nature reserves, especially in the mountains with high elevational amplitude, and an elevated efficacy of the nature reserves in the identified Conservation Gaps are urgently needed.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Con Clus Ionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…16% identified here might not be sufficient for the Hotspots of one of the most endangered ecosystems of the world, harbouring a very high proportion of rare species, under the strong impact of climate change (Dirnböck et al, 2011; Dullinger et al, 2012; Gottfried et al, 2012; Steinbauer et al, 2018) and with high pressure of anthropogenic activities (Mittermeier et al, 2005, 2011; Myers et al, 2000). Ludovicy et al (2022) have recently shown that the contribution of Iranian protected areas to conserving the endemic species of the Iranian Plateau under climate change is limited and that protection of long and continuous elevational gradients in high mountains can help avoiding the loss of endemic species under climate change. The identified Hotspots and their Conservation Gaps are clearly in the mountains with high elevational amplitude (Figure 3a) and establishment of protected areas in these mountains not only will conserve a high number of endemic species but also will buffer the impact of the ongoing climate change on these species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ludovicy et al (2022) have recently shown that the contribution of Iranian protected areas to conserving the endemic species of the Iranian Plateau under climate change is limited and that protection of long and continuous elevational gradients in high mountains can help avoiding the loss of endemic species under climate change. The identified Hotspots and their Conservation Gaps are clearly in the mountains with high ele-…”

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confidence: 99%

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Hotspots of (sub)alpine plants in the Irano‐Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot are insufficiently protected

Noroozi

Minaei

Khalvati

et al. 2022

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim The mountainous regions in SW Asia harbour a high number of endemic species, many of which are restricted to the high‐elevation zone. The (sub)alpine habitats of the region are under particular threat due to global change, but their biodiversity hotspots and conservation status have not been investigated so far. Location Subalpine‐alpine habitats of SW Asia. Methods Distribution data of all (sub)alpine vascular plant species of the region were compiled, resulting in 19,680 localities from 1672 (sub)alpine species, the majority of them being restricted to the region (76%). Six quantitative indices of species diversity were used on the basis of 0.5° × 0.5° grid cells to identify (sub)alpine hotspots. Hotspots whose surface area in the (sub)alpine zone was covered by nature reserves maximally by 10% were defined as conservation gaps. Results A high proportion (80%) of the endemic species of the study area is range‐restricted and narrowly distributed. The results of all six indices were highly correlated. Using the top 5%, 10% and 20% richest cells supported by any index, 32, 53 and 98 cells, respectively, were identified as Hotspots. Almost 60% of these Hotspots at all three levels were identified as unprotected (i.e. constituted Conservation Gaps). Generally, only 22%, 18% and 16%, respectively, of the alpine surface area of the identified Hotspots were covered by nature reserves for the top 5%, 10% and 20% richest cells, respectively. Main conclusions Although the rate of protection in (sub)alpine Hotspots exceeds that of the entire region it is still insufficient, because these Hotspots are much richer in endemic and in range‐restricted species, but at the same time are under high pressure of global change. Therefore, the establishment of new nature reserves with high conservation efficiency in (sub)alpine habitats with a particular focus on the identified Hotspots is strongly recommended.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Con Clus Ionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hotspots of (sub)alpine plants in the Irano‐Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot are insufficiently protected

Noroozi

Minaei

Khalvati

et al. 2022

Diversity and Distributions

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“…The region is also most sensitive to future climate warming (Vintsek et al, 2022), and if the trend continues, many of these taxa will likely run out of suitable habitat in the near future. Therefore, identifying and protecting of micro‐hotspots within alpine biodiversity hotspots is contemporary challenge for conservation management (Canestrelli et al, 2014; Ludovicy et al, 2022; Noroozi et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary response of cold‐adapted chasmophytic plants to Quaternary climatic oscillations in the Mountains of Central Asia (a world hotspot of biodiversity)

Nobis,

Klichowska,

Vintsek

et al. 2023

Diversity and Distributions

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AimPast climatic oscillations are the main driving force of evolutionary changes in alpine species. Species' response to paleoclimatic oscillations is crucial in forecasting their future response in face of climate warming. The aim of this research is to explore the effect of climatic fluctuations on the evolutionary history, demography, and distribution of high‐mountain bellflowers (Campanula lehmanniana complex), the flagship and taxonomically problematic members of chasmophytic vegetation within an underexplored biodiversity hotspot, the Mountains of Central Asia.LocationCentral Asia (Tian Shan, Alai and Zeravshan‐Hissar Mountains).MethodsWe used molecular data (ITS, cpDNA, DArTseq‐based SNPs) of 262 individuals (70 for the phylogeny reconstruction, and 247 from 31 localities for population studies). We analysed the data using phylogenetic and molecular clock reconstructions, coalescent simulations, and ecological niche modelling.ResultsTertiary isolation between the Tian‐Shanian and Pamir‐Alaian populations led to the differentiation of the two main lineages (~5–6 Mya) corresponding to C. eugeniae and C. lehmanniana, whereas further Quaternary isolation into subregions led to intraspecific genetic differentiation, which starts almost simultaneously for both species (~2.7–1.5 Mya). The relatively small genetic admixture among populations indicates rare historic events of connectivity. In response to Holocene warming, the analysed species experienced a substantial decline in effective population size. Currently, the distribution of both taxa is highly influenced by precipitation in the coldest and driest quarters.Main ConclusionsOur results highlight a general principle that glacial–interglacial cycles and contemporary island‐like habitats distribution, shape the genomic variation of high‐mountain species. The similar declining demographic trend of examined taxa may suggest the overall response to ongoing climate warming. The results underline also the urgent need for conservation action in alpine regions to preserve their biodiversity.

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Consequence of habitat specificity: a rising risk of habitat loss for endemic and sub-endemic woody species under climate change in the Hyrcanian ecoregion

Sękiewicz,

Salvà-Catarineu,

Walas

et al. 2024

Reg Environ Change

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Endemic species are more impacted by climate change than other taxa. However, assessing the vulnerability of endemics to these changes in some regions, such as the Hyrcanian forest, is limited, despite its importance for biodiversity and ecosystem function. To address the question of expected habitat shifts under climate change across the Hyrcanian ecoregion, we built an ensemble of species distribution models (SDM) under two emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) for 15 endemic woody taxa. To identify the potential priority conservation areas, we also applied a spatial prioritization approach. Overall, our results suggest that the impacts of climate change are more severe on the eastern parts of the region (Golestan) and the Talysh Mountains (north-western Hyrcanian ecoregion) with over 85% and 34% loss of suitable habitats over the next 80 years. The central part of the Alborz Mountains (Mazandaran) and some areas in the Talysh Mountains could be potential climatic refugia under the future conditions for endemic taxa. The most prominent changes are expected for Ruscus hyrcanus, Gleditsia capsica, Acer velutinum, Frangula grandifolia, and Buxus hyrcana. The worrying predicted loss of suitable habitats for most studied taxa would dramatically affect the stability and resilience of forests, threatening thus biodiversity of the Hyrcanian ecoregion. We present the first estimation of the potential risks involved and provide useful support for regional climate-adaptation strategy, indicating potential conservation priority areas for maintaining and preserving its resources. Notably, only 13.4% of areas designated for conservation and management under climate change will be located within the current Hyrcanian protected areas, yet the majority of these areas are classified as low priority.

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Protected area network insufficiently represents climatic niches of endemic plants in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot

Cited by 6 publications

References 60 publications

Hotspots of (sub)alpine plants in the Irano‐Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot are insufficiently protected

Hotspots of (sub)alpine plants in the Irano‐Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot are insufficiently protected

Evolutionary response of cold‐adapted chasmophytic plants to Quaternary climatic oscillations in the Mountains of Central Asia (a world hotspot of biodiversity)

Consequence of habitat specificity: a rising risk of habitat loss for endemic and sub-endemic woody species under climate change in the Hyrcanian ecoregion

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