Global distribution and conservation status of ecologically rare mammal and bird species

Nicolas Loiseau (), Nicolas Mouquet (), Nicolas Casajus, Matthias Grenié, Maya Guéguen, Brian Maitner, David Mouillot, Annette Ostling, Julien Renaud, Caroline Tucker, Laure Velez, Wilfried Thuiller and Cyrille Violle
Additional contact information
Nicolas Loiseau: MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD
Nicolas Mouquet: MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD
Nicolas Casajus: FRB—CESAB, Institut Bouisson Bertrand. 5, rue de l’École de médecine
Matthias Grenié: CEFE UMR 5175, Univ Montpellier—CNRS—EPHE—IRD—Univ. Paul-Valéry 3
Maya Guéguen: Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, LECA, Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine
Brian Maitner: University of Arizona
David Mouillot: MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD
Annette Ostling: University of Michigan
Julien Renaud: Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, LECA, Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine
Caroline Tucker: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Laure Velez: MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD
Wilfried Thuiller: Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, LECA, Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine
Cyrille Violle: CEFE UMR 5175, Univ Montpellier—CNRS—EPHE—IRD—Univ. Paul-Valéry 3

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Identifying species that are both geographically restricted and functionally distinct, i.e. supporting rare traits and functions, is of prime importance given their risk of extinction and their potential contribution to ecosystem functioning. We use global species distributions and functional traits for birds and mammals to identify the ecologically rare species, understand their characteristics, and identify hotspots. We find that ecologically rare species are disproportionately represented in IUCN threatened categories, insufficiently covered by protected areas, and for some of them sensitive to current and future threats. While they are more abundant overall in countries with a low human development index, some countries with high human development index are also hotspots of ecological rarity, suggesting transboundary responsibility for their conservation. Altogether, these results state that more conservation emphasis should be given to ecological rarity given future environmental conditions and the need to sustain multiple ecosystem processes in the long-term.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18779-w

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