Biodiversity between volcanoes: A multi-taxa analysis to identify priority conservation areas in a highly fragmented landscape of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Abstract

The effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) for conservation is under debate because many were decreed without considering biological criteria. Efforts have been made to increase their numbers and to promote ecological connectivity among the existing PAs. In this study, we identify new priority conservation areas (PCAs) through a multi-taxa analysis in a highly fragmented landscape between La Malinche (LMNP) and Iztaccíhuatl − Popocatépetl (IPNP) National Parks in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Particularly, we compared the taxonomic diversity of amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial mammals, scarab beetles, myxomycetes, and soil fungal species in six polygons with different land uses and vegetation types. We paid attention to the taxonomic diversity patterns according to the disturbance tolerance of the species, and we described the relationship between biodiversity and environmental variables. Adjacent temperate forests of the IPNP are habitats for the greatest number of species and individuals with low tolerance to disturbance. Polygons located in the central hills of Tlaxcala serve as a reservoir of mainly generalist species but also host exclusive and low tolerance species even though ∼ 63 % of the original vegetation has been transformed. Restoration and conservation through Areas Voluntarily Destined for Conservation and communal protected areas is a challenge that must be addressed to promote biological connectivity between the studied National Parks. Finally, we suggest that multi-taxonomic approaches discriminating species by their level of disturbance tolerance could be an efficient tool to identify new PCAs that ensure ecological processes and maintain diverse communities in highly fragmented landscapes.