Environmental correlates for species richness among amphibians and reptiles in a climate transition area

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

soares, c (Author) Other; brito, jc (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biodiversity and Conservation

Vol. 16

Pages: 1087-1102

ISSN: 0960-3115

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 24 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-AQW

DOI: 10.1007/s10531-006-9070-5

Abstract (EN): Correlations between environmental factors and the distribution of amphibian and reptile species richness were investigated in a climate transition area, Peneda-Geres National Park (PNPG), in North-Western Portugal. Using presence-data at a local-scale (1 x 1 km), Ecological-Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) identified a mixture of climatic (precipitation and number of days with fog), topographical (altitude and relief) and habitat factors (number of watercourses and water surfaces, the type of the largest water surface and tree diversity cover), as accurate predictors of species occurrence. Three factors were common for both taxonomic groups, and consistently presented a positive relation with species occurrence: precipitation, number of water surfaces, and tree diversity cover; suggesting a strong coincidence in the environmental correlates that influence amphibian and reptile species richness. Distribution patterns of observed and predicted species richness were compared using a Geographical Information System. Overall, three high species richness areas were predicted in common for both taxonomic groups and two additional areas for amphibians only. These areas matched with the observed species richness but suggested larger areas of high species richness. The location of the PNPG in a biogeographic crossroad, between Euro-Siberian and Mediterranean provinces, emphasised species richness of amphibians and reptiles and suggests a high priority conservation status for this protected area. Most of Central-Northern Portugal is located in a climatic transition area; therefore, increased species richness should be expected for other areas. Local scale studies for other protected areas should be planned as a framework for the development of multi-scale conservation planning by Portuguese authorities.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16