A Global Trend towards the Loss of Evolutionarily Unique Species in Mangrove Ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: The mangrove biome stands out as a distinct forest type at the interface between terrestrial, estuarine, and near-shore marine ecosystems. However, mangrove species are increasingly threatened and experiencing range contraction across the globe that requires urgent conservation action. Here, we assess the spatial distribution of mangrove species richness and evolutionary diversity, and evaluate potential predictors of global declines and risk of extinction. We found that human pressure, measured as the number of different uses associated with mangroves, correlated strongly, but negatively, with extinction probability, whereas species ages were the best predictor of global decline, explaining 15% of variation in extinction risk. Although the majority of mangrove species are categorised by t

SUBMITTER: Daru BH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3689665 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature