Spatial prioritization for the conservation of terrestrial vertebrate genera in the Neotropics

Vertebrate genera should be considered for spatial conservation prioritisation due to their importance in terms of intrinsic values for biodiversity maintenance and conservation, which were closely associated with phylogenetic diversity. We conducted spatial conservation prioritisation for Neotropical terrestrial vertebrate genera. We used species distribution modelling to project the vertebrate distributions at the species and genus levels based on a set of both past and current climate variables. The zonation framework was then applied to conduct spatial conservation prioritisation for Neotropical vertebrates based on the distribution probabilities of different genus groups (all genera, amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles). The largest priority conservation areas for terrestrial vertebrate genera, including amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles, were in ecoregions belonging to the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. Conservation gaps persist in existing protected area networks, and the identified priority areas should complement existing protected areas to address these gaps. We recommend the protected area network for the key ecoregions for vertebrate conservation identified in this study, but this requires interventions by all governments in the Neotropical Region. Our study offers new insights into the use of a conservation planning framework coupled with genus distribution from an application perspective.