Conservation biogeography of the Antarctic
Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing
Abstract
Aim To present a synthesis of past biogeographic analyses and a new approach
based on spatially explicit biodiversity information for the Antarctic region to
identify biologically distinct areas in need of representation in a protected area
network.
Location Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic.
Methods We reviewed and summarized published biogeographic studies of the
Antarctic. We then developed a biogeographic classification for terrestrial conservation
planning in Antarctica by combining the most comprehensive source
of Antarctic biodiversity data available with three spatial frameworks: (1) a
200-km grid, (2) a set of areas based on physical parameters known as the
environmental domains of Antarctica and (3) expert-defined bioregions. We
used these frameworks, or combinations thereof, together with multivariate
techniques to identify biologically distinct areas.
Results Early studies of continental Antarctica typically described broad bioregions,
with the Antarctic Peninsula usually identified as biologically distinct from
continental Antarctica; later studies suggested a more complex biogeography.
Increasing complexity also characterizes the sub-Antarctic and marine realms,
with differences among studies often attributable to the focal taxa. Using the
most comprehensive terrestrial data available and by combining the groups
formed by the environmental domains and expert-defined bioregions, we were
able to identify 15 biologically distinct, ice-free, Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic
Regions (ACBRs), encompassing the continent and close lying islands.
Main conclusions Ice-free terrestrial Antarctica comprises several distinct bioregions
that are not fully represented in the current Antarctic Specially Protected
Area network. Biosecurity measures between these ACBRs should also be
developed to prevent biotic homogenization in the region.
Description
Keywords
Antarctic biodiversity, biogeographical zones, conservation planning, ice-free Antarctica, spatial ecology, sub-Antarctic biogeography
Citation
Terauds, A., Chown, S.L., Morgan, F., Peat, H.J., Watts, D.J., Keys, H., Convey, P. and Bergstrom, D.M. (2012). Conservation biogeography of the Antarctic. Diversity and Distributions 18, 726-741