Conservation gaps for Neotropical vipers: Mismatches between protected areas, species richness and evolutionary distinctiveness

• Published in: Biological conservation 2022-11, Vol.275, p.109750, Article 109750
• Main Authors: Oliveira-Dalland, Luis G., Alencar, Laura R.V., Tambosi, Leandro R., Carrasco, Paola A., Rautsaw, Rhett M., Sigala-Rodriguez, Jesus, Scrocchi, Gustavo, Martins, Marcio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Conservation planning; Gap analysis; Prioritization; Snakes; Viperidae
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109750

The continuous decline in biodiversity despite global efforts to create new protected areas calls into question the effectiveness of these areas in conserving biodiversity. Numerous habitats are absent from the global protected area network, and certain taxonomic groups are not being included in conservation planning. Here, we analyzed the level of protection that the current protected area system provides to viper species in the Neotropical region through a conservation gap analysis. We used distribution size and degree of threat to set species-specific conservation goals for 123 viper species in the form of minimum percentage of their distribution that should be covered by protected areas, and assessed the level of protection provided for each species by overlapping their distribution with protected areas of strict protection. Furthermore, using species richness and evolutionary distinctiveness as priority indicators, we conducted a spatial association analysis to detect areas of special concern. We found that most viper species have