Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A new system for understanding the biodiversity in different nature reserves: capacity, connectivity and quality of biodiversity

  • Review
  • Published:
Frontiers of Biology in China

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a new system for understanding the biodiversity in different conservation areas. It includes three aspects: the capacity, the connectivity and the quality. The capacity refers to the numbers of biodiversity, including absolute and relative richness of the vegetation types N v and D v =(N v −1)/lnA, species numbers S and richness of species d Gl =(S − 1)/lnA, and germ plasm resources within a nature reserve, and also the potential biological living space offered by the natural resource. It comprises the total biological resources in a nature reserve. The connectivity refers to the flux of biodiversity, including similarity and connected status of the vegetation types SI Li =2z/(x + y) and species numbers SI C =2z/(x + y) among different nature reserves. The quality refers to the stability of biodiversity, including relative species richness index RS Li =d/d max, relative vegetation richness index RV Li =D v /D maxv , fastness to invasion species ƒ Li =1−S i /S t , weighted values, representativeness and vulnerability of special vegetations, special species, CITES species and rare species as the protected targets.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Borissoff V A (1975). Zapovedniks. In: Scofield E A, ed. Earthcare: Global Protection of Natural Areas. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 758–763

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabeza M, Moilanen A (2001). Design of reserve networks and the persistence of biodiversity. Trends in Ecol & Evol 16(5): 242–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diamond J M (1986). The design of a nature reserve system for Indonesian New Guinea. In: Soule M, ed. Conservation Biology: The Science of Scarcity and Diversity. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer, 485–503

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding B Y, Chen G R, Cheng Q B (2000). A floristic statistics and analysis of seed plants of Fengyangshan Nature Reserve in Zhejiang Province. Acta Bot Yunnanica, 22, 27–37 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Downes S J, Handasyde K A, Elgar M A (1997). The use of corridors by mammals in fragmented Australian eucalypt forests. Conserv Biol, 11(3): 718–726

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falkner M B, Stohlgren T J (1997). Evaluating the contribution of small national park areas to regional biodiversity. Nat Areas J, 17(4): 324–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer A G (1960). Latitudinal variations in organic diversity. Evolution, 14(1): 64–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flather C H, Wilson K R, Dean D J, McComb W C (1997). Identifying gaps in conservation networks: of indicators and uncertainty in geographic-based analyses. Ecol Applic, 7(2): 531–542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gleason H A (1922). On the relation between species and area, Ecology, 3(2): 158–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henein K, Merriam G (1990). The elements of connectivity where corridor quality is variable. Landsc Ecol, 4: 157–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs R J (1992). The role of corridors in conservation: Solution or bandwagon? Trends in Ecol & Evol, 7: 389–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu H J, Jiang Z G, Wang Z W (2001). Correlation between avian and mammalian species richness in different geographic regions in China. Biodiversity Science, 9(2): 95–101 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr J T (1997). Species richness, endemism and the choice of areas for conservation. Conserv Biol, 11(5): 1094–1100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krebs C J (2001). Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance, 5th ed. Benjamin Cummings

  • Li D Q, Lu J, Lin Y H (2002). Assessing Biodiversity Conservation Priorities in Youxi County. Acta Ecol Sinica, 22 (8): 1315–1322

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z J, Chen L Z, Fan Z Q, Zhu X L, Liang J, Chen C P, Xu L J, Wang W Q, Liu Y S, Zhong T Y, Dai D S, He Y C (2001). The vegetation resources (in Liangyeshan National Nature Reserve of Fujian). In: Lin P, ed. An overall report of survey on the Liangyeshan National Nature Reserve of Fujian. Xiamen: Xiamen University Press, 97–132 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z J, Chen S B, Wei B (2004). The plant resources (in Minjiangyuan National Nature Reserve of Fujian). In: Lin P, ed. An overall report of survey on the Minjiangyuan National Nature Reserve of Fujian, Xiamen: Xiamen University Press, 13–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z J, Chen X L, Zheng H L (2007). Ecology, 3rd ed. Beijing: Science Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z J, Liu C D, Lin P, He J Y, Li J H, Yang Z W, Han B P, Lin Y M (1998). Study on the species turnover rate along habitat gradient in Castanopsis eyrei community in Wuyishan Mountains. In: Lin P, ed. Wuyishan Research Series — Forest Ecosystem (1). Xiamen: Xiamen University Press, 71–75 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z J, Chen L Z, Zhang Y H, Fan Z Q, Zhu X L, Lin Q X, Qiu L, Zhu, C Z, Huang C Y, Zheng L F, Lin M S (2002). The vegetation resources (in Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve of Fujian). In: Lin P, ed. An overall report of survey on the Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve of Fujian. Xiamen: Xiamen University Press, 87–130 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z J, Chen L Z, Qiu L, Chen C B, He G S, Deng C Y, Lin J L, Huang Q S, Zhang B Z, Deng X B, Lin T X, Jiang H, Yang Z Q (2003). The vegetation resources (in Mangdangshan National Nature Reserve of Fujian). In: Lin P, ed. An overall report of survey on the Mangdangshan National Nature Reserve of Fujian. Xiamen: Xiamen University Press, 120–153 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z J, Lin P, He J Y, Yang Z W, Liu C D (2000). Studies on the species diversity of the closed stable forest and the disturbed forest of Castanopsis eyrei in Wuyishan National Nature Reserve. Acta Phytoecol Sinica, 24(1): 64–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin P (1986). Plant Synecology. Shanghai: Shanghai Science and Technology Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu C M Liu Y H, Jiang F (2003). The insect resources (in Daiyunshan National Nature Reserve of Fujian). In: Lin P, ed. An overall report of survey on the Daiyunshan National Nature Reserve of Fujian. Xiamen: Xiamen University Press, 154–226 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugo A (1988). Diversity of tropical species: Questions that elude answers. Biol Intern, 19: 1–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann C C, Plummer M L (1995). Are wildlife corridors the right path. Science, 270: 1428–1430

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls A O, Margules C R (1993). An upgraded reserve selection algorithm. Biol Conserv, 64: 165–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noss R F, Harris L D (1986). Nodes, networks and MUMs: Preserving diversity at all scales. Environ Manage, 10: 229–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pimm S L, Lawton J H (1998). Planning for biodiversity. Science. 279: 2068–2069

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prendergast J R, Quinn R M, Lawton J H, Eversham BC, Gibbons DW (1993). Rare species, the coincidence of diversity hotspots and conservation strategies. Nature, 365: 335–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pressey R L, Logan V S (1997). Effectiveness of alternative heuristic algorithms for identifying indicative minimum requirements for conservation reserves. Biol Conserv, 80: 207–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quinn J F, Hastings A (1987). Extinction in subdivided habitats. Conserv Biol, 1(1): 198–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg D K, Noon B R, Meslow E C (1997). Biological corridors: Form, function and efficacy. BioScience, 47: 677–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schluter D, Ricklefs R E (1993). Species diversity: an introduction to the problem. In: Ricklefs R E, Schluter D, eds. Species Diversity in Ecological Communities. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Shafer C L (1995). The values and shortcomings of small reserves. BioScience, 45: 80–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shafer C L (1999). Reserve planning to protect biological diversity: some basic elements. Landscape and Urban Planning, 44: 123–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shafer C L (2001). Inter-reserve distance. Biol Conserv, 100: 215–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slatyer R O (1975). Ecological reserve: size, structure and management. In: Fenner F, ed. A National System of Ecological Reserves in Australia. No. 19, Report to the National Academy of Science. Netley: Griffin Press, 22–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Slocombe D S (1992). Environmental monitoring for protected areas: A review. Environ Monitor Assess, 21: 49–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song Y C (2001). Vegetation Ecology. Shanghai: East China Normal University Press (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Soule M E (1984). Application of genetics and population biology: the what, where and how of nature reserves. In: UNESCOUNEP, ed. Conservation, Science and Society, Vol. 2. Paris: UNESCO, 252–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Stolzenburg W (1992). Detectives of diversity. Nature Conservancy, 42(1): 22–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Terborgh J, Winter B (1983). A method for siting parks and reserves with special reference to Columbia and Ecuador. Biol Conserv, 27: 45–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner I M, Corlett R T (1996). The conservation value of small, isolated fragments of lowland tropical rain forest. Trends in Ecol & Evol, 11: 330–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Jaarsveld A S, Freitag S, Chown S L, Muller C, Koch S, Hull Heath, Bellamy C, Krüger M, Endrödy-Younga S, Mansell M W, Scholtz C H (1998). Biodiversity assessment and conservation strategies. Science, 279(5359): 2106–2108

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vane-Wrigt R I, Humphries C J, Williams P H (1991). What to protect? Systematics and the agony of choice. Biol Conserv, 55: 235–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X P, Tao S M, Liu Y K (1996). On the scientific research priorities of natural conservation in China. Resources Science. (1): 16–23 (in Chinese)

  • Warman L D, Forsyth D M, Sinclair A R E, Freemark K, Moore H D, Barrett T W, Pressey R L, White D (2004). Species distributions, surrogacy, and important conservation regions in Canada. Ecology Letters, 7: 374–379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker R H (1965). Dominance and diversity in land communities. Science, 147, 250–260

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcove D S, Rothstein D R, Dubow J, Philliips A, Losos F E (1998). Quantifying threats to imperiled species in the United States. BioScience, 48: 607–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willig M R, Lyons S K (1998). An analytical model of latitudinal gradients of species richness with an empirical test for Marsupials and Bats in the New World. Oikos, 80: 93–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams P H, Humphries C J (1994). Biodiversity, taxonomy relatedness and endemism in conservation. In: Forey P L, Humphries C J, Vane-Wright R I, eds. Systematics and Conservation Evaluation. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press, 269–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis C K, Lombard A T, Cowling R M, Heydenrych B J (1996). Reserve systems for limestone endemic flora of the Cape lowland fynbos: iterative versus linear programming techniques. Bio Conserv, 77: 53–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson D E, Sandoval A (1996). Manu: The Biodiversity of Southeastern Peru, Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 672

    Google Scholar 

  • WRI/IUCN/UNEP (1992). The Global Biodiversity Strategy. The World Resources Institute, Washington, D. C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu M J, Hu Z H, Yu J P, Ding B Y, Fang T (2001). Forest vegetation types in Gutianshan Natural Reserve in Zhejiang. J Zhejiang Univ (Agric & Life Sci), 27(4): 375–380 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China

    Zhenji Li, Wen Ye & Luzhen Chen

  2. Fudan Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China

    Jiakuan Chen

  3. Center of Protection and Administration for Wild Animals and Plants of Fujian, Fuzhou, 350003, China

    Yunqiu Ruan & Dongliang Zhou

  4. Department of Botany, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T2G9, Canada

    Ying Chang

Authors
  1. Zhenji Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jiakuan Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yunqiu Ruan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ying Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Wen Ye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Luzhen Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Dongliang Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhenji Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, Z., Chen, J., Ruan, Y. et al. A new system for understanding the biodiversity in different nature reserves: capacity, connectivity and quality of biodiversity. Front. Biol. China 4, 69–74 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-008-0081-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-008-0081-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation