A gap analysis of Southeast Asian mammals based on habitat suitability models

摘要: Abstract Southeast Asia is one of the richest reservoirs biodiversity on earth and home to highest concentrations endemic species. Many protected areas (PA) have been established across region, but date no systematic evaluation their efficacy has published because comprehensive dataset was available which could be fed into an analysis conservation gaps. We collected geographic range for 1086 mammal species we built species-specific habitat suitability models 901 them. performed two gap analyses (one based a combination distribution ranges only) each mammalian species, evaluate effectiveness existing network PA identify priority regions expanding consolidating network. Our results indicate that 7.5–8.2% are not covered by any PA, 51.6–59.1% only partially. These distributed throughout entire study area requires creation new can help fill this gap. This would particularly important small islands, where survival often threatened presence introduced conversion. Yet PAs cannot considered as ending point strategy, overall, 34% analyzed (many already PAs) were at risk extinction when considering IUCN red-list criteria. should therefore in broader framework all local ecological socio-economic trends, including growing human population, economy infrastructure development.