Top predators and biodiversity

摘要: The charisma of top vertebrate predators is often used by conservationists as a lever for financial support1,2, to raise environmental awareness2,3 and in planning protected areas4,5,6 — strategy that has been criticized3,5,7. Here we use information collected from five raptor species differ widely their diet habitat associations show sites occupied these are consistently associated with high biodiversity. biodiversity at more extensive than it selected random, or lower down the trophic pyramid (insectivorous herbivorous species, example). Our results indicate conservation focusing on can be ecologically justified because delivers broader benefits.