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Cave Conservation Priority Index to Adopt a Rapid Protection Strategy: A Case Study in Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest

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Abstract

Cave environments are characterized by possessing specialized fauna living in high environmental stability with limited food conditions. These fauna are highly vulnerable to impacts, because this condition can frequently be easily altered. Moreover, environmental determinants of the biodiversity patterns of caves remain poorly understood and protected. Therefore, the main goal of this work is to propose a cave conservation priority index (CCPi) for a rapid assessment for troglobiotic and troglophile protection. Furthermore, the troglobiotic diversity, distribution and threats have been mapped in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. To propose the CCPi, the human impacts and richness of troglobiotic and troglophile species of 100 caves were associated. Data related to troglomorphic/troglobiotic fauna from another 200 caves were used to map the troglobiotic diversity and distribution. The CCPi reveals extremely high conservation priority for 15 % of the caves, high for 36 % and average for 46 % of the caves. Fourteen caves with extremely high priorities should have urgent conservation and management actions. The geographical distribution of the 221 known troglobiotic/troglomorphic species allowed us to select 19 karst areas that need conservation actions. Seven areas were considered to have urgent priority for conservation actions. The two richest areas correspond to the “iron quadrangle” with iron ore caves (67 spp.) and the “Açungui limestone group” (56 spp.). Both areas have several caves and are important aquifers. The use of the CCPi can prevent future losses because it helps assessors to select caves with priorities for conservation which should receive emergency attention in relation to protection, management and conservation actions.

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Acknowledgments

National Research Council (CNPq), Foundation that funds research in State of Minas Gerais state (Fapemig), Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), Aliança para a conservação da Mata Atlântica, Conservação Internacional (CI) for financial support. Funding was provided by the Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq) to R.L.F. (CNPq Grant number 301061/2011–4).

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  1. Setor de Zoologia Geral, Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Estudos em Biologia Subterrânea, Universidade Federal de Lavras, CP.3037, Lavras, MG, 37200-000, Brazil

    Marconi Souza Silva & Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira

  2. Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do PICI, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

    Rogério Parentoni Martins

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  1. Marconi Souza Silva
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  3. Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira
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Appendix

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Table 6 Nineteen karstic areas in Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil that need major conservation actions, with indication criteria, and recommendations for protection
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Souza Silva, M., Martins, R.P. & Ferreira, R.L. Cave Conservation Priority Index to Adopt a Rapid Protection Strategy: A Case Study in Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest. Environmental Management 55, 279–295 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-014-0414-8

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