Refugia: identifying and understanding safe havens for biodiversity under climate change

摘要: Aim  Identifying and protecting refugia is a priority for conservation under projected anthropogenic climate change, because of their demonstrated ability to facilitate the survival biota adverse conditions. Refugia are habitats that components biodiversity retreat to, persist in can potentially expand from changing environmental However, study discussion has often been ad hoc descriptive nature. We therefore: (1) provide habitat-based concept refugia, (2) evaluate methods identification refugia. Location  Global. Methods  present simple conceptual framework examine factors describe them. then demonstrate how different disciplines contributing our understanding tools they identifying quantifying refugia. Results  Current largely based on Quaternary phylogeographic studies organisms North America Europe during significant temperature fluctuations. This resulted gaps particularly when attempting apply current theory forecast change. with space time dimensions operate evolutionary time-scales have facilitated conditions millennia. Therefore, offer best chances change many taxa, making important Several various viable options achieving this goal. Main conclusions  The developed allows description any environment. Various contributions but each limited scope; urging more integrated approach identify, define conserve refugia. Such an will better capacity act as safe havens