The use of faunistic data for the design of reserve networks: the case of the amphibians and reptiles in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

Real-world reserve selection decisions are still performed without use of available reserve selection tools that maximise conservation benefit for a minimum cost. In this paper we investigate the consequences of using different reserve selection strategies (richness hotspots, rarity hotspots and maximum covering solutions) to represent amphibian and reptiles species diversity in the Iberian Peninsula. We compare results with that observed in current reserve networks and that expected by chance. We found that current reserves conserve fewer amphibian and reptiles species than expected by chance and that great improvements could be achieved if maximum covering solutions were used to support reserve selection decisions. We recommend that conservation planners and other decision makers use available knowledge and technology for the selecting of important areas for biodiversity. Otherwise, there is a risk that limited resources are invested in such a way as to provide poor conservation return.