Maximizing species conservation in continentalEcuador: a case of systematic conservation planning for biodiverse regions

Abstract

Ecuador has the largest number of species by area worldwide, but also a low representation of species within its protected areas. Here, we applied systematic conservation planning to identify potential areas for conservation in continental Ecuador, with the aim of increasing the representation of terrestrial species diversity in the protected area network. We selected 809 terrestrial species (amphibians, birds, mammals, and plants), for which distributions were estimated via species distribution models (SDMs), using Maxent. For each species we established conservation goals based on conservation priorities, and estimated new potential protected areas using Marxan conservation planning software. For each selected area, we determined their conservation priority and feasibility of establishment, two important aspects in the decision-making processes. We found that according to our conservation goals, the current protected area network contains large conservation gaps. Potential areas for conservation almost double the surface area of currently protected areas. Most of the newly proposed areas are located in the Coast, a region with large conservation gaps and irreversible changes in land use. The most feasible areas for conservation were found in the Amazon and Andes regions, which encompass more undisturbed habitats, and already harbor most of the current reserves. Our study allows defining a viable strategy for preserving Ecuador's biodiversity, by combining SDMs, GIS-based decision-support software, and priority and feasibility assessments of the selected areas. This approach is useful for complementing protected area networks in countries with great biodiversity, insufficient biological information, and limited resources for conservation.

Incorporating phylogenetic information for the definition of floristic districts in hyperdiverse Amazon forests: Implications for conservation

“…Recently, Lessmann, Munoz, and Bonaccorso (2014) assigned a low‐to‐medium range in conservation priority to areas that correspond to the southern floristic districts we described here as regions containing both unique and geographically restricted evolutionary information. The approach used by these authors to define conservation priorities areas included richness maps based on species distribution models and maps of environmental vulnerability.…”

<em>Ocotea quixos </em>essential oil: A systematic review about the ethno-medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activity.

“…Tropical belt includes 17 "Mega diverse Countries" [3,4] and Ecuador is part of this important guild and has a notable ranking for its high biological diversity. As reported by Sierra et al, (2002) and Lessmann et al, (2014), considering the relationship between land area and number of species Ecuador seems to be the most biodiverse country on the planet [5,6]. In the American continent, the megadiverse countries are Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico and the United States.…”

Large expansion of oil industry in the Ecuadorian Amazon: biodiversity vulnerability and conservation alternatives

“…; Lessmann et al. ). It should also be noted that an important amount of these southern oil blocks coincide with titled lands of indigenous peoples (Melo et al.…”