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Preserving the evolutionary potential of floras in biodiversity hotspots

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  • Félix Forest

    (South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa
    University of Cape Town, University Private Bag, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
    Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK)

  • Richard Grenyer

    (Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK)

  • Mathieu Rouget

    (South African National Biodiversity Institute, Biodiversity Planning Unit, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • T. Jonathan Davies

    (Gilmer Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4328, USA
    Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA)

  • Richard M. Cowling

    (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa)

  • Daniel P. Faith

    (Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia)

  • Andrew Balmford

    (University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK)

  • John C. Manning

    (South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa)

  • Şerban Procheş

    (Centre for Invasion Biology, Private Bag X1, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland 7602, South Africa)

  • Michelle van der Bank

    (University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa)

  • Gail Reeves

    (South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa)

  • Terry A. J. Hedderson

    (University of Cape Town, University Private Bag, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa)

  • Vincent Savolainen

    (Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK)

Abstract

Staying power Areas of high species richness, particularly those with high numbers of species unique to that area, seem obvious candidates for conservation action. But this takes little account of the evolutionary potential of the plants and animals within that ecosystem. With the likelihood of rapid global change high, the conservation of evolutionary processes is increasingly recognized as a priority. Now a detailed analysis of the well known hotspot of flora biodiversity in the Cape in South Africa has come up with a thought-provoking result: the more species-rich western part of the Cape has lower evolutionary potential than the more neglected eastern part. The eastern area boasts fewer species than the west, but has greater phylogenetic diversity — an index of biodiversity that measures the length of evolutionary pathways that connect a given set of species. This finding has important consequences for conservation planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Félix Forest & Richard Grenyer & Mathieu Rouget & T. Jonathan Davies & Richard M. Cowling & Daniel P. Faith & Andrew Balmford & John C. Manning & Şerban Procheş & Michelle van der Bank & Gail Reeves &, 2007. "Preserving the evolutionary potential of floras in biodiversity hotspots," Nature, Nature, vol. 445(7129), pages 757-760, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:445:y:2007:i:7129:d:10.1038_nature05587
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05587
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    Cited by:

    1. Chisholm, Ryan A., 2010. "Trade-offs between ecosystem services: Water and carbon in a biodiversity hotspot," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 1973-1987, August.
    2. Schramski, Sam & Barnes, Grenville, 2016. "Agrarian Change and Adaptive Capacity in Rural South Africa," Review of Agrarian Studies, Foundation for Agrarian Studies, vol. 6(2), December.

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