Biodiversity Hotspots and Major Tropical Wilderness Areas: Approaches to Setting Conservation Priorities
Author(s)
Mittermeier, Russell A.; Myers, Norman; Thomsen, Jorgen B.; Da Fonseca, Gustavo A. B.; Olivieri, Silvio
Abstract
The accelerating and potentially catastrophic loss of biotic diversity is unlike other environmental threats because it is irreversible. Given the rapid loss of biodiversity and limited resources available to address environmental issues, we must set priorities for our efforts to conserve biological resources. Because biodiversity is by no means evenly distributed, some areas are far richer than others in overall diversity and endemism. Furthermore, many of the richest areas also happen to be under the most severe threat. Over the next few decades, focusing conservation efforts on areas with the greatest concentrations of biodiversity and the highest likelihood of losing significant portions of that biodiversity will achieve maximum impact for conservation investment. By focusing on these high-priority areas we are not suggesting that other less diverse, less threatened areas should be written off, only that the high-biodiversity areas receive priority attention.
