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Predicting geometrid moth diversity in the Heart of Borneo
Author(s) -
BECK JAN,
SCHWANGHART WOLFGANG,
KHEN CHEY VUN,
HOLLOWAY JEREMY D.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
insect conservation and diversity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1752-4598
pISSN - 1752-458X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-4598.2010.00119.x
Subject(s) - biodiversity , endemism , geography , ecology , invertebrate , ecosystem , elevation (ballistics) , environmental resource management , environmental science , biology , engineering , structural engineering
. 1. Comprehensive maps of regional biodiversity are so far lacking for tropical insects. However, such data would be relevant to guide implementations of conservation areas. Using geometrid moths of Borneo as a case study, we show how insect biodiversity data can be made available for regional conservation planning. 2. We used a predictive modelling approach to a large data set on local geometrid moth samples from Borneo. We explained substantial amounts of data variance for response variables, such as local diversity, diversity of endemics, and assemblage uniqueness with predictor variables, such as precipitation, temperature, elevation and forest disturbance. We extrapolated our model to gridded data of environmental conditions across the island. 3. We retrieved highly intuitive maps of the various aspects of biodiversity. We calculated a consensus map of conservation priorities from mean values of our predictions for the various biodiversity aspects. Using a classification framework based on means and standard deviations of grid cell values, we defined ca. 17% of Borneo’s area as having high , and ca. 5% as having very high priority. Most of these were situated in the adjoining highland areas of Sarawak, Sabah and East Kalimantan. We suggest priorities for future work. 4. With this study, we exemplify how spatially scattered field data on invertebrates can be utilised for research and conservation. Furthermore, we provide information that may help guide the implementation of a proposed international nature reserve, the Heart of Borneo initiative. Model output is available in Geographic Information System‐compatible format.