Balancing phylogenetic diversity and species numbers in conservation prioritization, using a case study of threatened species in New Zealand

摘要: Funding for managing threatened species is currently insufficient to assist recovery of all species, so management projects must be prioritized. In attempts maximize phylogenetic diversity conserved, prioritization protocols are increasingly weighting using metrics that incorporate their evolutionary distinctiveness. a case study 700 the most in New Zealand, we examined trade-offs between emphasis on species’ distinctiveness weights, and numbers prioritized, as well costs probabilities success projects. Increasing weights protocol led greater per-species higher risk project failure. realistic, limited-budget scenario, this resulted fewer which imposed limits total could conserved. However, by systematically varying weight were able minimize trade-offs, obtain groups near-optimal both Phylogenetic may not equate perfectly with functional or potential, conservation agencies reluctant sacrifice numbers. Thus, recommend prioritizing achieve an effective balance maximizing number