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Updated: May 27, 2026
12:26
Integrating Remote Sensing with Species Distribution Models; Mapping Tamarisk Invasions Using the Software for Assisted Habitat Modeling (SAHM)
Published on: October 11, 2016
Spatial predictions of phylogenetic diversity in conservation decision making
Dorothea V Pio1,2, Olivier Broennimann1, Timothy G Barraclough3
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Summary
Measuring biological diversity accurately requires considering phylogenetic diversity alongside species richness. This study suggests phylogenetic diversity is feasible and informative for conservation planning.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Biodiversity Science
Background:
- Traditional conservation planning often relies on species richness.
- Phylogenetic diversity, considering genetic relatedness, offers a more accurate measure of biodiversity.
- Some studies question the added value of phylogenetic diversity over species richness for conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of species richness and phylogenetic diversity measures in identifying conservation priorities.
- To assess the correlation between species richness and various phylogenetic diversity metrics.
- To evaluate the influence of environmental factors like elevation on the distribution of species-rich and phylogenetically rich areas.
Main Methods:
- Distribution models were created for 168 species of Cape Proteaceae.
- Species richness and 10 phylogenetic diversity measures were compared.
- Areas selected based on species richness and phylogenetic diversity were compared using conservation land allocation.
Main Results:
- Correlations between species richness and phylogenetic diversity measures varied significantly.
- Measures based on phylogenetic tree branch length and shape showed weaker correlations with species richness than tree shape alone.
- Elevation was a significant factor, explaining up to 31% of the spatial separation between species-rich and phylogenetically rich areas.
Conclusions:
- Phylogenetic diversity measures provide valuable, distinct information compared to species richness.
- The integration of molecular data makes phylogenetic diversity assessment increasingly feasible.
- Incorporating phylogenetic diversity into conservation decision-making is recommended for more robust biodiversity protection.
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