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The performance of the global protected area system in capturing vertebrate geographic ranges

Biodiversity and Conservation volume 22, pages 1033–1047 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Given the heavy reliance placed on and investment in protected areas for biological conservation, there has been much debate as to how effective these are in representing biodiversity features within their boundaries. The majority of studies addressing this issue have been conducted on a regional or national basis, precluding a broad picture of patterns of representation at the species level. We present a global assessment of the representation of the terrestrial geographic ranges of complete taxonomic groups: all known extant amphibians, birds and mammals (20,736 species) within the current global system of protected areas. We conclude that it is necessary substantially to improve the levels of coverage of the geographic ranges of the majority of species, even the widespread ones. This is particularly true for rare species, which might be assumed to be foci for protected area systems. To improve on the low levels of coverage of vertebrate ranges attained by the existing areas, key regions should be targeted, but heavy reliance will also have to be placed on approaches to sustaining populations in the wider, unprotected landscape.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Ian P. F. Owens and the Avian Diversity Hotspots Consortium for providing access to data; to M. G. Hidalgo-Mihart for assistance with GIS; and to P. R. Armsworth, R. G. Davies, Z. G. Davies, R. A. Fuller, I. P. F. Owens and A. J. Stattersfield for comments and discussion. L. C-S. was funded by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico (grant no. 128763). Protected areas data were extracted from the 2010 World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). The WDPA is a joint product of IUCN and UNEP prepared by UNEP-WCMC and the IUCN-WCPA working with Governments, the Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, collaborating Non-Government Organizations and individuals. For further information go to www.protectedplanet.net or contact: protectedareas@unep-wcmc.org.

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  1. Lisette Cantú-Salazar

    Present address: Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies, Public Research Centre – Gabriel Lippmann, rue du Brill, Belvaux, L-4422, Luxembourg

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biodiversity & Macroecology Group, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK

    Lisette Cantú-Salazar

  2. Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK

    C. David L. Orme

  3. Department of Zoology, Michigan State University Museum, West Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1045, USA

    Pamela C. Rasmussen

  4. Institute of Zoology, ZSL, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK

    Tim M. Blackburn

  5. Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK

    Kevin J. Gaston

  6. Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 1145, Saudi Arabia

    Tim M. Blackburn

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  1. Lisette Cantú-Salazar
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Correspondence to Lisette Cantú-Salazar.

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Cantú-Salazar, L., Orme, C.D.L., Rasmussen, P.C. et al. The performance of the global protected area system in capturing vertebrate geographic ranges. Biodivers Conserv 22, 1033–1047 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0467-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0467-7

Keywords

  • Reserves
  • Effectiveness
  • Persistence
  • Representation
  • Geographic ranges
  • Vertebrates

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