NATURE RESERVES: DO THEY CAPTURE THE FULL RANGE OF AMERICA'S BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY?

摘要: Less than 6% of the coterminous United States is in nature reserves. As- sessment occurrence reserves across ranges elevation and soil productivity classes indicates that are most frequently found at higher elevations on less productive soils. The distribution plants animals suggests greatest number species lower elevations. A preliminary assessment mapped land cover types ;60% have ,10% their area Land ownership patterns show areas more soils often privately owned already extensively converted to urban agricultural uses. Thus any effort establish a system captures full geographical ecological range must fully engage private sector.