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Top predators and biodiversity

Author

Listed:
  • Fabrizio Sergio

    (Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC
    Raptor Conservation Research Unit, Trento Museum of Natural Sciences)

  • Ian Newton

    (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon)

  • Luigi Marchesi

    (Raptor Conservation Research Unit, Trento Museum of Natural Sciences)

Abstract

The charisma of top vertebrate predators is often used by conservationists as a lever for financial support1,2, to raise environmental awareness2,3 and in planning protected areas4,5,6 — a strategy that has been criticized3,5,7. Here we use information collected from five raptor species that differ widely in their diet and habitat associations to show that sites occupied by these predators are consistently associated with high biodiversity. The biodiversity at these sites is more extensive than it is at sites selected at random, or at sites occupied by species from lower down the trophic pyramid (insectivorous or herbivorous species, for example). Our results indicate that conservation focusing on top predators can be ecologically justified because it delivers broader biodiversity benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabrizio Sergio & Ian Newton & Luigi Marchesi, 2005. "Top predators and biodiversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 436(7048), pages 192-192, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:436:y:2005:i:7048:d:10.1038_436192a
    DOI: 10.1038/436192a
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    Cited by:

    1. Moung-Jin Lee & Wonkyong Song & Saro Lee, 2015. "Habitat Mapping of the Leopard Cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis ) in South Korea Using GIS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Zachary D Hughes & Eli P Fenichel & Leah R Gerber, 2011. "The Potential Impact of Labor Choices on the Efficacy of Marine Conservation Strategies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(8), pages 1-10, August.
    3. Ivajnšič, Danijel & Denac, Damijan & Denac, Katarina & Pipenbaher, Nataša & Kaligarič, Mitja, 2020. "The Scops owl (Otus scops) under human-induced environmental change pressure," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    4. Dennhardt, Andrew J. & Duerr, Adam E. & Brandes, David & Katzner, Todd E., 2015. "Modeling autumn migration of a rare soaring raptor identifies new movement corridors in central Appalachia," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 303(C), pages 19-29.
    5. Sofia S. Oliveira & Joana Pereira & Paulo Santos & Ruth Pereira, 2020. "Awareness and Knowledge of Portugal Residents about Natura 2000," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-12, November.

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