Unravelling biodiversity, evolution and threats to conservation in the Sahara‐Sahel

摘要: Deserts and arid regions are generally perceived as bare rather homogeneous areas of low diversity. The Sahara is the largest warm desert in world together with Sahel displays high topographical climatic heterogeneity, has experienced recent strong oscillations that have greatly shifted biodiversity distribution community composition. large size, remoteness long-term political instability Sahara-Sahel, limited knowledge on its biodiversity. However, over last decade, there been an increasing number published scientific studies based modern geomatic molecular tools, broad sampling taxa these regions. This review tracks trends about patterns, processes threats across anticipates needs for research conservation. Recent changing completely perception regional patterns. Instead relatively species diversity covering most region, now suggest a rate endemism larger species, much narrower fragmented ranges, frequently to micro-hotspots Molecular-based also unravelling cryptic associated mountains, which atlases, allows identifying integrative biogeographic patterns distribution. Mapping multivariate environmental variation (at 1 km × 1 km resolution) region illustrates main biogeographical features Sahara-Sahel supports recently hypothesised dispersal corridors refugia. Micro-scale water-features present mostly mountains local hotspots. available data vertebrates highlights current gaps still apply proportion Sahara-Sahel. Current providing insights into key evolutionary ecological processes, including causes timing radiation divergence multiple taxa, associating onset diversification low-mobility vertebrates. Examples phylogeographic showing importance allopatric speciation this presents synthetic overview commonly mechanisms. Studies stressing threatened by human activities overhunting natural resources prospection, future predicted global warming. A representation conflict, landmines, extraction how insecurity hampering Although numerous optimised conservation set priorities provided identify framework needed support planning.