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Utilizing a top predator to prioritize site protection for biodiversity conservation
Haruki Natsukawa1, Hiroki Yuasa2, Luke J Sutton3
1Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana - CSIC, Seville, Spain.
Journal of Environmental Management
|October 2, 2023
Summary
Top predators like the Northern Goshawk can identify high-biodiversity sites in urban areas. Protecting these identified hotspots is crucial for effective biodiversity conservation in megacities.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Urban Ecology
Background:
- Global change necessitates innovative biodiversity preservation strategies.
- Prioritizing conservation sites is challenging, but using indicator species offers a potential solution.
- Top predators can serve as effective biodiversity indicators to identify high-value conservation areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multi-scale species distribution model (SDM) for the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) in a Japanese megacity.
- To identify biodiversity hotspots based on goshawk habitat requirements.
- To assess the current legal protection of these identified biodiversity hotspots.
Main Methods:
- A multi-scale species distribution model (SDM) was developed for the Northern Goshawk.
- Habitat determinants, including distance to roads, forest cover (100m radius), and forest ecotones (900m radius), were analyzed.
- An independent dataset was used to validate the biodiversity of identified hotspots, and their legal protection status was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Goshawks preferred secluded areas with ample forest cover and suitable hunting ecotones.
- The identified multi-scale landscape configuration, indicative of high biodiversity, covered only 3.2% of the study area.
- A significant portion (56%) of these critical biodiversity sites lacked legal protection.
Conclusions:
- Top predator models effectively identify critical biodiversity hotspots in urban landscapes.
- The study highlights inadequate biodiversity-friendly urban planning and urgent conservation needs in megacities.
- Biodiversity indicators, such as top predators, are reliable tools for proactive conservation planning and protecting biodiversity relics.
Keywords:
Apex predatorsEcological niche modelingFlagship speciesGap analysisHabitat selectionIndicator speciesMore Related Videos
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