High abundances of species in protected areas in parts of their geographic distributions colonized during a recent period of climatic change

Gillingham, Phillipa K.; Alison, Jamie; Roy, David B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5147-0331; Fox, Richard; Thomas, Chris D.. 2015 High abundances of species in protected areas in parts of their geographic distributions colonized during a recent period of climatic change. Conservation Letters, 8 (2). 97-106. 10.1111/conl.12118

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/conl.12118

Abstract/Summary

It is uncertain whether Protected Areas (PAs) will conserve high abundances of species as their distributions and abundances shift in response to climate change. We analysed large datasets for 57 butterfly and 42 odonate species (including 4 that have recently colonised Britain). We found that 73 of 94 species with sufficient data for analysis were more abundant inside than outside PAs in the historical parts of their British distributions, showing that PAs have retained high conservation value. A significant majority (61 of 99 species) was also more abundant inside PAs in regions they have colonised during the last 30–40 years of climate warming. Species with relatively high abundances inside PAs in long-established parts of their distributions were also disproportionately associated with PAs in recently-colonized regions, revealing a set of relatively PA-reliant species. PAs therefore play a vital role in the conservation of biodiversity as species’ ranges become more dynamic.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1111/conl.12118
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pywell
ISSN:	1755-263X
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link
Additional Keywords:	abundance, butterflies, conservation, effectiveness, protected areas, odonates, sites of special scientific interest, United Kingdom
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	09 Sep 2014 15:28 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/508352

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1111/conl.12118

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Pywell

ISSN:

1755-263X

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link

Additional Keywords:

abundance, butterflies, conservation, effectiveness, protected areas, odonates, sites of special scientific interest, United Kingdom