Keeping All the PIECES: Phylogenetically Informed Ex Situ Conservation of Endangered Species.

ABSTRACT: Ex situ conservation in germplasm and living collections is a major focus of global plant conservation strategies. Prioritizing species for ex situ collection is a necessary component of this effort for which sound strategies are needed. Phylogenetic considerations can play an important role in prioritization. Collections that are more phylogenetically diverse are likely to encompass more ecological and trait variation, and thus provide stronger conservation insurance and richer resources for future restoration efforts. However, phylogenetic criteria need to be weighed against other, potentially competing objectives. We used ex situ collection and threat rank data for North American angiosperms to investigate gaps in ex situ coverage and phylogenetic diversity of collections and to develop

SUBMITTER: Larkin DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4892560 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature