Mapping evolutionary process: a multi-taxa approach to conservation prioritization.

ABSTRACT: Human-induced land use changes are causing extensive habitat fragmentation. As a result, many species are not able to shift their ranges in response to climate change and will likely need to adapt in situ to changing climate conditions. Consequently, a prudent strategy to maintain the ability of populations to adapt is to focus conservation efforts on areas where levels of intraspecific variation are high. By doing so, the potential for an evolutionary response to environmental change is maximized. Here, we use modeling approaches in conjunction with environmental variables to model species distributions and patterns of genetic and morphological variation in seven Ecuadorian amphibian, bird, and mammal species. We then used reserve selection software to prioritize areas for conservation ba

SUBMITTER: Thomassen HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3352560 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature