Identifying global conservation priorities for terrestrial vertebrates based on multiple dimensions of biodiversity

Abstract

The post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity calls for an expansion of the current Protected Areas (PAs) to cover at least 30% of global land and water areas by 2030 (i.e., the “30×30 target”). Efficient spatial planning for PA expansion is an urgent need for global conservation practice. A spatial prioritization framework considering multidimensions of biodiversity is critical for improving the efficiency of the spatial planning of PAs, yet remains a current challenge. Here, using species distributions, molecular phylogenies and life history traits of 21536 terrestrial vertebrates, we proposed a FREDGE index that integrates three dimensions of biodiversity (i.e., functional, phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity) and the global endangerment of species. Based on this index we identified the conservation priorities for global terrestrial vertebrates and evaluated the PA coverage and threat severity of these priority areas induced by human footprint and future climate change. We found that Madagascar, Central America and the Andes have high priorities for the conservation of multidimensional biodiversity of terrestrial vertebrates. However, 68.8% of grid cells of these priority areas have <17% of their area covered by PAs, and these priority areas are under intense anthropogenic and climate change threats. These results highlight the difficulties in the conservation of multidimensional biodiversity. Our global analyses on geographical patterns in the multidimensional biodiversity of terrestrial vertebrates demonstrate the insufficiency in the conservation of different biodiversity dimensions, and our new index based on multidimensions of biodiversity provides a useful tool for guiding future spatial prioritization of PA expansion to achieve the “30×30 target” under serious threat pressure.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved