Spatial priorities for freshwater biodiversity conservation in light of catchment protection and connectivity in Europe.

ABSTRACT: Freshwater ecosystems host disproportionately high numbers of species relative to their surface area yet are poorly protected globally. We used data on the distribution of 1631 species of aquatic plant, mollusc, odonate and fish in 18,816 river and lake catchments in Europe to establish spatial conservation priorities based on the occurrence of threatened, range-restricted and endemic species using the Marxan systematic conservation planning tool. We found that priorities were highest for rivers and ancient lakes in S Europe, large rivers and lakes in E and N Europe, smaller lakes in NW Europe and karst/limestone areas in the Balkans, S France and central Europe. The a priori inclusion of well-protected catchments resulted in geographically more balanced priorities and better coverage of t

SUBMITTER: Szabolcs M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9113586 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature