Phylogenetic diversity meets conservation policy: small areas are key to preserving eucalypt lineages.

ABSTRACT: Evolutionary and genetic knowledge is increasingly being valued in conservation theory, but is rarely considered in conservation planning and policy. Here, we integrate phylogenetic diversity (PD) with spatial reserve prioritization to evaluate how well the existing reserve system in Victoria, Australia captures the evolutionary lineages of eucalypts, which dominate forest canopies across the state. Forty-three per cent of remaining native woody vegetation in Victoria is located in protected areas (mostly national parks) representing 48% of the extant PD found in the state. A modest expansion in protected areas of 5% (less than 1% of the state area) would increase protected PD by 33% over current levels. In a recent policy change, portions of the national parks were opened for development.

SUBMITTER: Pollock LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4290421 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature