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Data from: Modelling the current and future biodiversity distribution in the Chilean Mediterranean Hotspot. The role of protected areas network in a warmer future

Cite this dataset

Fuentes-Castillo, Taryn et al. (2020). Data from: Modelling the current and future biodiversity distribution in the Chilean Mediterranean Hotspot. The role of protected areas network in a warmer future [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h3r3s0r

Abstract

Aim: Mediterranean Chile is part of the five recognized Mediterranean-type climates in the world and harbors a very rich floral diversity. Climate change has been reported as a significant threat to its biodiversity. We used the flora of Mediterranean Chile to analyze how biodiversity patterns, as measured by Phylogenetic Diversity, genus and species richness will respond to climate change scenarios and identify the areas that will harbor the greatest evolutionary potential and biodiversity richness. We also evaluated how these spatial patterns are depicted within the current network of protected areas. Location: Chilean Mediterranean climate-type Region, South America. Methods: Biodiversity metrics were evaluated for current and future climatic scenarios. Species distribution models were done using Maxent for 1.727 species and 571 genera. Relationships between species/genera gain, loss and turnover were evaluated. For Mediterranean endemic species, loss and gain was also related to life form. Finally, variation in species gain, loss and turnover was evaluated in future climate change scenarios within and outside Mediterranean Chile state protected areas. Results: We found a general decrease in species richness in the entire Region toward future climate change scenarios. Phylogenetic Diversity is predicted to be higher than expected by richness in the north and south of the area, and lower than expected by richness in the Andes mountain. The highest average species and genus loss is predicted to occur outside the protected areas, meanwhile species and genus gain is higher within them. Main conclusions: Future biodiversity patterns are reported here for the first time in the Chilean Mediterranean Region. Our findings enhance the importance of the current protected areas to harbor this future variation, despite their reduced number and size along the region.

Usage notes

Location

Central Chile