Setting global priorities for the conservation of tetrapod phylogenetic diversity
File(s)
Author(s)
Gumbs, Rikki Stephen
Type
Thesis
Abstract
We have entered the sixth mass extinction in Earth’s history. Our ever-growing extraction of natural resources and conversion of natural habitats is eroding global biodiversity. Averting the loss of biodiversity is essential to maintaining the planet’s ability to support human life. However, given the limited resources available for conservation action, we must prioritise effectively.
Biodiversity, in the purest sense, is living variation. One measure of biodiversity, phylogenetic diversity, quantifies the collective contribution of species to the Tree of Life and is linked to the maintenance of future options for humanity. Phylogenetic diversity is increasingly used in conservation prioritisation exercises to capture aspects of biodiversity not represented by species richness alone. In this thesis I will utilise global datasets to explore humanity’s impact on the phylogenetic diversity of the world’s tetrapods. I will then identify priorities for conserving threatened phylogenetic diversity across the world’s amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles.
To facilitate the accurate prioritisation of evolutionarily distinct tetrapod species for conservation, I will develop a novel approach to overcome deficiencies in phylogenetic data for poorly-known species. I will then extend existing approaches to develop a spatially-explicit metric to identify highly irreplaceable regions and species responsible for large amounts of phylogenetic diversity under threat from human encroachment. Finally, I will explore the impacts of major threat types on phylogenetic diversity to determine whether certain extinction drivers pose disproportionately large threats to global biodiversity. The research presented in this thesis will offer new insights into the threats facing phylogenetic diversity and provide advances in global conservation priority setting for the tetrapod Tree of Life.
Biodiversity, in the purest sense, is living variation. One measure of biodiversity, phylogenetic diversity, quantifies the collective contribution of species to the Tree of Life and is linked to the maintenance of future options for humanity. Phylogenetic diversity is increasingly used in conservation prioritisation exercises to capture aspects of biodiversity not represented by species richness alone. In this thesis I will utilise global datasets to explore humanity’s impact on the phylogenetic diversity of the world’s tetrapods. I will then identify priorities for conserving threatened phylogenetic diversity across the world’s amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles.
To facilitate the accurate prioritisation of evolutionarily distinct tetrapod species for conservation, I will develop a novel approach to overcome deficiencies in phylogenetic data for poorly-known species. I will then extend existing approaches to develop a spatially-explicit metric to identify highly irreplaceable regions and species responsible for large amounts of phylogenetic diversity under threat from human encroachment. Finally, I will explore the impacts of major threat types on phylogenetic diversity to determine whether certain extinction drivers pose disproportionately large threats to global biodiversity. The research presented in this thesis will offer new insights into the threats facing phylogenetic diversity and provide advances in global conservation priority setting for the tetrapod Tree of Life.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2020-09
Date Awarded
2021-10
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
License URL
Advisor
Rosindell, James
Sponsor
Natural Environment Research Council (Great Britain)
Grant Number
NE/L002515/1
Publisher Department
Life Sciences
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)