Comparing abundance distributions and range maps in spatial conservation planning for migratory species
A Johnston1,2, T Auer1, D Fink1
1Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York, 14850, USA.
Summary
Incorporating species abundance data, not just range maps, improves conservation planning for migratory birds. This approach ensures more efficient protection across their entire annual cycle.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Spatial Planning
Background:
- Spatial conservation planning often relies on static species' ranges, neglecting dynamic population variations.
- Migratory species exhibit complex spatiotemporal population dynamics crucial for effective conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how incorporating species abundance data and temporal resolution impacts conservation prioritization.
- To compare the efficiency of conservation planning using abundance distributions versus range maps.
Main Methods:
- Utilized eBird data to generate weekly abundance and range estimates for 41 migratory shorebird species.
- Compared systematic conservation prioritizations using different input data (abundance vs. range) and temporal resolutions (weekly, monthly, quarterly).
Main Results:
- Abundance data at weekly or monthly resolutions yielded the most efficient conservation prioritizations, protecting species throughout the annual cycle.
- Range map-based prioritizations required more sites and resulted in inadequate protection for many species.
- Quarterly range data proved inefficient, necessitating the targeting of 40% of ranges for only 10% of populations.
Conclusions:
- Species abundance information is highly valuable for spatial conservation planning, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
- Conservation planning for wide-ranging migratory species is most robust when informed by full annual cycle abundance data.
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