Testing the Value of Six Taxonomic Groups as Biodiversity Indicators at a Local Scale

Abstract

We examined six groups of taxa-woody plants, aquatic and terrestrial herpetofauna, small terrestrial birds, orchids, and Orthoptera-to determine their efficiency as biodiversity indicators in the Dadia Reserve in northern Greece. We investigated the indicator value of each group by examining the degree of congruence of its species-richness pattern with that of the other groups and the efficiency of its complementary network in conserving the other groups and biodiversity. The two techniques differed in many respects in their outputs, but they both showed woody plants as the best biodiversity indicator. There was in general low congruence in the species richness patterns across the different groups. Significant relationships were found between woody plants and birds, Orthoptera and terrestrial herpetofauna, and birds and aquatic herpetofauna. None of the optimal complementary networks of the groups we examined protected all species of the other groups. Nevertheless, the complementary network of woody plants adequately conserved all groups except orchids. We conclude that the principle of complementarity must be integrated into the methodology of evaluating an indicator. In an applied context, our results provide a scientific background on which to base a biomonitoring program for the Dadia Reserve. In a wider scope, if the group of woody plants prove an adequate biodiversity indicator for other Mediterranean areas as well, this will be important because it will facilitate conservation-related decisions for the entire Mediterranean region.Resumen: Examinamos seis grupos de taxones -plantas leñosas, herpetofauna acuática, herpetofauna terrestre, aves terrestres pequeñas, orquídeas y Orthoptera -para determinar su eficiencia como indicadores de biodiversidad en la Reserva Dadia en el norte de Grecia. Investigamos el valor de cada grupo como indicador examinando el grado de congruencia de su patrón de riqueza de especies con el de otros grupos y la eficiencia de su red complementaria para conservar a los otros grupos y a la biodiversidad. Las dos técnicas difirieron en muchos aspectos de sus resultados, pero ambos mostraron a las plantas leñosas como el mejor indicador de biodiversidad. Hubo poca congruencia en los patrones de riqueza de especies en los diferentes grupos. Se encontraron relaciones significativas entre plantas leñosas y aves, Orthoptera y herpetofauna terrestre, y aves y herpetofauna acuática. Ninguna de las redes complementariasóptimas de los grupos que examinamos protegió a todas las especies de los otros grupos. Sin embargo, la red complementaria de plantas leñosas 668 Biodiversity IndicatorsKati et al.conservó adecuadamente a todos los grupos excepto las orquídeas. Concluimos que se debe integrar el principio de complementariedad a la metodología para evaluar un indicador. En un contexto aplicado, nuestros resultados proporcionan un antecedente científico sobre el cual basar un programa de biomonitoreo para la Reserva Dadia. En una visión más amplia, si el grupo de plantas leñosas también resulta u...

Biogeographic patterns on Kimberley islands, Western Australia

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