Low effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network in preventing land-use change in bat hotspots

摘要: One of the most important issues in biodiversity conservation is an exploration relationships among protected areas, land-use changes and biodiversity, so we aimed to assess performance Natura 2000 network (N2000) representing bat hotspots peninsular Spain Balearic Islands compare rates within these with those observed throughout rest study area. First, applied a Combined Index that integrates various metrics (species richness, rarity vulnerability) identify hotspots, once they were identified, used null models N2000 them. Finally, also using models, tested whether land use (“anthropization” or “naturalization”) occurred at significantly higher lower frequency than area; for this, considered two temporal windows (1980–2006 2006–2012) corresponding periods before after official designation sites. Our results show are effectively represented Iberian N2000, but although generally 2006, have not experienced change compared remainder territory (regardless period under consideration). This suggests low effectiveness preventing preserve fauna, encourage urgent implementation management plans avoid intensive both inside around hotspots.