A modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management units

Abstract Background Taxon- and/or ecosystem-based definitions of management units typically focus on conspicuous species and physical habitat limits; these definitions implicitly assume that these classification systems are related to the mechanisms that determine biodiversity persistence. However,...

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Autores principales: Borthagaray,Ana Inés, Soutullo,Alvaro, Carranza,Alvar, Arim,Matías
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Sociedad de Biología de Chile 2018
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Acceso en línea:http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0716-078X2018000100202
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spelling oai:scielo:S0716-078X20180001002022018-03-07A modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management unitsBorthagaray,Ana InésSoutullo,AlvaroCarranza,AlvarArim,Matías Biodiversity units Bipartite networks Compartmentalization Conservation prioritization Metacommunity theory Topological roles Abstract Background Taxon- and/or ecosystem-based definitions of management units typically focus on conspicuous species and physical habitat limits; these definitions implicitly assume that these classification systems are related to the mechanisms that determine biodiversity persistence. However, ecological theory shows that this assumption may not be supported. Herein, we introduce the use of modularity analysis for objectively identifying management units and topological roles that land cover type plays on species movement through the landscape. Methods As a case study, we used a coastal system in Uruguay, with 28 land cover types and five taxa (from plants to mammals). A modularity-based approach was used to identify subsets of habitats with biotic affinity, termed modules, across the different taxonomic groups. Modularity detects the tendency of some land cover types to have a higher probability of the mutual interchange of individuals than other land cover types. Based on this approach, pairs of habitats that co-occur in the same module across taxa were considered in the same biodiversity management units (BMU). In addition, the topological role of each habitat was determined based on the occurrence of species through the landscape. Results Our approach determined three management units that combine land cover types usually considered independent, but instead are interrelated by an occurrence-based ecological network as proxies of the potential flow of individual and land use. For each selected taxon, the specific topological role of each habitat was determined. Conclusions This approach provides an objective way of delineating spatial units for conservation assessment. We showed that land cover types within these spatial units could be identified as refuges for specific types of biodiversity, sources of propagules for neighboring or overall landscapes, or stepping-stones connecting sub-regions. The preservation of these topological roles might help maintain the mechanisms that drive biodiversity in the system. Interestingly, the role of land cover type was strongly contingent on the taxa being considered. The method is comprehensible, applicable to policy and decision-makers, and well-connected with ecological theory. Moreover, this approach complements existing methods, introduces novel quantitative uses of available information, determines criteria for land cover classification and identifies management units that are not evident through other approaches.info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessSociedad de Biología de ChileRevista chilena de historia natural v.91 20182018-01-01text/htmlhttp://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0716-078X2018000100202en10.1186/s40693-018-0072-y
institution Scielo Chile
collection Scielo Chile
language English
topic Biodiversity units
Bipartite networks
Compartmentalization
Conservation prioritization
Metacommunity theory
Topological roles
spellingShingle Biodiversity units
Bipartite networks
Compartmentalization
Conservation prioritization
Metacommunity theory
Topological roles
Borthagaray,Ana Inés
Soutullo,Alvaro
Carranza,Alvar
Arim,Matías
A modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management units
description Abstract Background Taxon- and/or ecosystem-based definitions of management units typically focus on conspicuous species and physical habitat limits; these definitions implicitly assume that these classification systems are related to the mechanisms that determine biodiversity persistence. However, ecological theory shows that this assumption may not be supported. Herein, we introduce the use of modularity analysis for objectively identifying management units and topological roles that land cover type plays on species movement through the landscape. Methods As a case study, we used a coastal system in Uruguay, with 28 land cover types and five taxa (from plants to mammals). A modularity-based approach was used to identify subsets of habitats with biotic affinity, termed modules, across the different taxonomic groups. Modularity detects the tendency of some land cover types to have a higher probability of the mutual interchange of individuals than other land cover types. Based on this approach, pairs of habitats that co-occur in the same module across taxa were considered in the same biodiversity management units (BMU). In addition, the topological role of each habitat was determined based on the occurrence of species through the landscape. Results Our approach determined three management units that combine land cover types usually considered independent, but instead are interrelated by an occurrence-based ecological network as proxies of the potential flow of individual and land use. For each selected taxon, the specific topological role of each habitat was determined. Conclusions This approach provides an objective way of delineating spatial units for conservation assessment. We showed that land cover types within these spatial units could be identified as refuges for specific types of biodiversity, sources of propagules for neighboring or overall landscapes, or stepping-stones connecting sub-regions. The preservation of these topological roles might help maintain the mechanisms that drive biodiversity in the system. Interestingly, the role of land cover type was strongly contingent on the taxa being considered. The method is comprehensible, applicable to policy and decision-makers, and well-connected with ecological theory. Moreover, this approach complements existing methods, introduces novel quantitative uses of available information, determines criteria for land cover classification and identifies management units that are not evident through other approaches.
author Borthagaray,Ana Inés
Soutullo,Alvaro
Carranza,Alvar
Arim,Matías
author_facet Borthagaray,Ana Inés
Soutullo,Alvaro
Carranza,Alvar
Arim,Matías
author_sort Borthagaray,Ana Inés
title A modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management units
title_short A modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management units
title_full A modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management units
title_fullStr A modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management units
title_full_unstemmed A modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management units
title_sort modularity-based approach for identifying biodiversity management units
publisher Sociedad de Biología de Chile
publishDate 2018
url http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0716-078X2018000100202
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