Updating Distribution, Ecology, and Hotspots for Three Amphibian Species to Set Conservation Priorities in a European Glacial Refugium

Ilaria Bernabò, Viviana Cittadino, Sandro Tripepi, Vittoria Marchianò, Sandro Piazzini, Maurizio Biondi and Mattia Iannella ()
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Ilaria Bernabò: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Viviana Cittadino: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Sandro Tripepi: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Vittoria Marchianò: Pollino National Park, 85048 Rotonda, Italy
Sandro Piazzini: Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
Maurizio Biondi: Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Mattia Iannella: Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: The Calabrian Peninsula (Southern Italy) has acted as a glacial refugium and is now considered a hotspot for the genetic diversity of several species. Even if it hosts the highest diversity of many Italian endemic amphibian species, the distribution of some of these needs an update to address conservation measures. We took advantage of a vast dataset for three Italian species ( Bombina pachypus , Salamandrina terdigitata , Triturus carnifex ), two of which are endemic, deriving from a 40-year field surveys dataset (1982–2022), to update their distribution and basic ecological requirements. We evaluated changes in their distribution, projecting them on a broader spatial scale through a kernel density estimation, inferring statistically-significant hotspots using Corine Land Cover patches, and assessing the protected areas’ coverage. We confirmed that Pollino, Catena Costiera, Sila and Aspromonte massifs are the main statistically-significant hotspots. Kernel densities showed a diversified pattern of gains/losses, sometimes overlapping, depending on the species. The whole outcomes obtained allow us to pinpoint specific areas where effective conservation measures need to be applied. Ousr findings reveal that local-scale monitoring and management should be planned, especially within the existing nationally-designated protected areas, which have been shown to protect far less with respect to the Natura 2000 sites.

Keywords: amphibian distribution; hotspot analysis; protected areas; conservation; Bombina pachypus; Salamandrina terdigitata; Triturus carnifex; Italian Peninsula; Calabria; Southern Basilicata (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:8:p:1292-:d:885689

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