Species conservation importance index (SCI) for comparing sites’ conservation value at landscape level

摘要: Quantitative approaches used for detecting biodiversity ‘hotspots’ depend mostly on species occurrence data. This approach has been criticized not recognizing all aspects of importance. In this study, we information plant to estimate a conservation importance (SCI) and compare sites’ value (SCV) at the landscape level with regard species. The SCI index assesses vascular significance based inclusion many criteria accounting various was calculated 405 recorded in northwestern coastal desert landscape, two protected areas Egypt. Comparison revealed that despite having highest number species, ranked third other SCV. For highlighting priority regarding plants Getis-Ord G i * hotspot geostatistical analyses were applied per-plot maximum SCI, average (ACI), SCV values 827 sampled plots. results significant hotspots south landscape. application analysis indices promises be useful tool identification level. current study will help comparing ranking regions according priorities. It can also guiding site selection efforts particularly similar ecosystems.