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US protected lands mismatch biodiversity priorities.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Jenkins, CN; Van Houtan, KS; Pimm, SL; Sexton, JO
Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
April 2015

Because habitat loss is the main cause of extinction, where and how much society chooses to protect is vital for saving species. The United States is well positioned economically and politically to pursue habitat conservation should it be a societal goal. We assessed the US protected area portfolio with respect to biodiversity in the country. New synthesis maps for terrestrial vertebrates, freshwater fish, and trees permit comparison with protected areas to identify priorities for future conservation investment. Although the total area protected is substantial, its geographic configuration is nearly the opposite of patterns of endemism within the country. Most protected lands are in the West, whereas the vulnerable species are largely in the Southeast. Private land protections are significant, but they are not concentrated where the priorities are. To adequately protect the nation's unique biodiversity, we recommend specific areas deserving additional protection, some of them including public lands, but many others requiring private investment.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI

EISSN

1091-6490

ISSN

0027-8424

Publication Date

April 2015

Volume

112

Issue

16

Start / End Page

5081 / 5086

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Species Specificity
  • Geography
  • Endangered Species
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Biodiversity
  • Animals
 

Citation

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Jenkins, C. N., Van Houtan, K. S., Pimm, S. L., & Sexton, J. O. (2015). US protected lands mismatch biodiversity priorities. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 112(16), 5081–5086. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418034112
Jenkins, Clinton N., Kyle S. Van Houtan, Stuart L. Pimm, and Joseph O. Sexton. “US protected lands mismatch biodiversity priorities.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 112, no. 16 (April 2015): 5081–86. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418034112.
Jenkins CN, Van Houtan KS, Pimm SL, Sexton JO. US protected lands mismatch biodiversity priorities. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2015 Apr;112(16):5081–6.
Jenkins, Clinton N., et al. “US protected lands mismatch biodiversity priorities.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 112, no. 16, Apr. 2015, pp. 5081–86. Epmc, doi:10.1073/pnas.1418034112.
Jenkins CN, Van Houtan KS, Pimm SL, Sexton JO. US protected lands mismatch biodiversity priorities. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2015 Apr;112(16):5081–5086.
Journal cover image

Published In

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI

EISSN

1091-6490

ISSN

0027-8424

Publication Date

April 2015

Volume

112

Issue

16

Start / End Page

5081 / 5086

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Species Specificity
  • Geography
  • Endangered Species
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Biodiversity
  • Animals