Tropical rain forest conservation and the twin challenges of diversity and rarity

摘要: Data from a global network of large, permanent plots in lowland tropical forests demonstrate (1) that the phenomenon tree rarity is real and (2) almost all species diversity such due to rare species. Theoretical empirically based reasoning suggests many these are not as geographically widespread previously thought. These findings suggest successful strategies for conserving must pay much more attention biogeography rarity, well impact climate change on distribution abundance Because poorly known, high priority should be given documenting species, particularly Amazonia, largest remaining forested region world.