What to protect?—Systematics and the agony of choice

摘要: Politicians and scientists alike non, agree that a priority list of global centres for preservation biological diversity is required. Diversity has generally been measured only in terms species richness, or the form indices combining richness with abundance. Such measures are considered inadequate task hand. A novel index, based on information content cladistic classifications giving measure taxonomic distinctness, introduced. This taxic measure, when coupled detailed knowledge distribution, can be used modified analyses type previously developed as 'critical faunas analysis' 'network analysis'. Central to all such concept complementarity floras .faunas. By employing complementarity, step-wise procedures identify optimally efficient, single-site sequences areas group, taking existing reserves into account not, For practical planning it concluded two basic rounds analysis required:first, recognition by techniques; secondly, within any area, without weighting (as being Margules his co-workers) network contain local taxa ecosystems. The paper concludes brief discussion some immediate prospects.for development systematic approach conservation