Analysing freshwater fish biodiversity records and respective conservation areas in Spain

• Published in: Journal of applied ichthyology Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 240 - 248
• Main Authors: Miranda, R, Pino‐del‐Carpio, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Blackwell Wissenschafts-Verlag 01.02.2016; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biodiversity; conservation areas; conservation status; Fish; Freshwater; freshwater fish; inventories; Retailing; threatened species; Spain; ANE, Spain
• ISSN: 0175-8659; 1439-0426
• DOI: 10.1111/jai.13027

The number of threatened freshwater fish species in Spain is among the highest recorded in Europe and includes a high percentage of endemic taxa. Investigated were the distribution of Spanish freshwater fish to identify priority areas for conservation and assess the extent to which freshwater fish are included in the existing network of protected areas. Considered were those threatened species recorded in the Spanish National inventories. From these data, several biodiversity indices were calculated and analysed. The results reveal important discrepancies between the national and international assessments of conservation status, whereby the current Spanish national catalogue needs updating to reconcile these inconsistencies. Several important areas for the conservation of freshwater fish lie outside protected areas. The results encourage the establishment of protected areas specifically for freshwater environments. An extensive database of Spanish freshwater fish species is needed to redefine priority areas and to maintain freshwater biodiversity.