The Research Of Identification Of Yunnan Biological Diversity Priority Conservation Areas Based On Environmental Heterogeneity

The study of heterogeneity-diversity relationships(HDRs)has always been hot topics in biodiversity research.The traditional niche theory suggests that environmental heterogeneity can conceive abundant biodiversity.Environmental change(like climate change etc.)has been undermined the protection effectiveness of biodiversity in existing protected areas,and the study shows that coupling heterogeneous areas in system conservation planning can effectively mitigate the impact of climate change on biodiversity.Yunnan Province is a typical environmental heterogeneity/abundant biodiversity region,the impact of climate change on its biodiversity cannot be ignored.Therefore,the research of identification of Yunnan biological diversity priority conservation areas based on environmental heterogeneity will help to complete the existing protected area system,and provide theoretical support for adaptive strategies for Yunnan biodiversity conservation to adapt to future climate change.In this study,through building biodiversity indicators(Ecosystem diversity Index(EI)/Plant diversity Index(PI)/Animal diversity Index(AI))and measuring environmental heterogeneity we investigated the heterogeneity-diversity relationships(HDRs)in Yunnan Province natural area(based on 32(national/provincial)nature reserves in Yunnan Province).On the basis of the optimal model of AIC(Akaike Information Criterion),we identified Yunnan biological diversity priority conservation areas based on environmental heterogeneity in grid scale(11 × 11km 2)and township unit scale.Based on the analysis of the scale effect,plant/animal diversity priority conservation areas space irreplaceability and complementarity,we identified the grid scale of MPA(Merged Plant and Animal diversity priority conservation areas,MPA).At basis of protection efficiency assessment the study screened the most protective environmental heterogeneity priority conservation areas.When it overlay analysis with existing protected areas system,we can find that there are still some gaps in Yunnan province biodiversity conservation.Based on the spatial analysis of biogeographic regions and compared with previous studies,we exploring the significance of priority conservation areas for biodiversity conservation in Yunnan Province.The Main research findings are as follows:(1)Overall,Yunnan Province,The most protected areas with the value of biodiversity conservation in Yunnan province are:Xishuangbanna,Gaoligong Mountains,Tongbiguan and Nangun River;The distribution of PI,AI in Yunnan nature reserves were negatively correlated with latitude and there were no significant correlation between ecosystem diversity(EI)and latitude.(2)Climatic heterogeneity is the most important mechanism to explain the distribution of biodiversity in protected areas,while soil and topography heterogeneity is effective complement to the climatic heterogeneity mechanism;As can be seen from the optimal model,Temperature Annual Range(TAR)heterogeneity is the most important factor forAI/EI;As for PI,however,the most significant factor is CQP(Precipitation of Coldest Quarter).Hence,based on the AIC model,we can recognize that Annual Precipitation(AP)/CQP and TAR/Precipitation Seasonality Coefficient(PSC)can be applied to identify Yunnan biological diversity priority conservation areas based on environmental heterogeneity.(3)Based on the analysis of the scale effect,PDCPAs(Plant Diversity Priority Conservation Areas)and ADPCAs(Animal Diversity Priority Conservation Areas)space irreplaceability and complementarity,we identified the grid scale of MPA;Considering the protection efficiency assessment(based on National Protected Wild Plants/Animals;vegetation types;nature reserves)and,this research recognize that the grid scale of MPA are the most protective environmental heterogeneity priority conservation areas.The MPA of Yunnan based on environmental heterogeneity are mainly distributed in Northwest Yunnan-Hengduan Mountains,Gaoligong Mountains-Wuliang Mountains-Ailao Mountains,Jinsha River dry_hot and dry-warm valley areas,Southwest Yunnan tropical rain forest and southern Yunnan,Southeast Yunnan tropical rain forest/seasonal rain forest areas.(4)Some conservation gaps in biodiversity conservation of Yunnan Province can be found by spatial overlay analyzing the MPA with existing protected areas system.The conservation gaps are mainly distributed in the northern sections of northwestern Yunnan,The Lancang River dry-warm valley and the Meili-Biluo Snow Mountain cold temperate coniferous forest in northwestern of Yunnan;from the south part of the Gaoligong Mountains to the southeast to the evergreen broad-leaved forest between Lancang River and Wuliang Mountains,then from the east slope of Ailao Mountains and along the Yuanjiang River extension to biodiversity areas where near the national border of Yunnan Province:The southern Yunnan region is mainly distributed in both sides of the Lixian River and Xishuangbanna tropical rain forest area,While the southeastern Yunnan is located in the intersection area of the flora and fauna at the both sides of the Yuanjiang River.In addition,the conservation gaps are also distributed in the transitional zone between Hengduan Mountains and the Yun-Gui plateau:Binchuan,Heqing and other places,which to the east to the evergreen shrub-savanna area in Jinsha River dry-hot valley and the Staggered areas between Jinsha River dry-hot valley and Wumeng Mountain;The conservation gaps in the southwestern Yunnan rainforest is relatively independent,mainly distributed in the intertidal zone of the Tongbiguan and Nanting RiverTropical Rainforest.(5)The protection effect of the priority conservation areas based on environmental heterogeneity is similar to that of the traditional conservation works,which indicates that heterogeneous areas can serve as key areas for biodiversity background investigation in future;It is found that the environmental heterogeneity areas may be the cause of the biogeographic zoning in Yunnan Province;The implementation of conservation measures along the biogeography ecological corridor will contribute to perfect the existing protected area system in Yunnan Province under the macro-scale;Combined with previous studies,it can be deduced that MPA can mitigate the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in Yunnan Province.In summary,MPA and conservation gaps of Yunnan Province identified in this study can effectively supplement and complete the existing protected area system in Yunnan Province,and can effectively protect the biodiversity of Yunnan Province under future climate change.