Cookie Policy

This site uses cookies. When browsing the site, you are consenting its use. Learn more

I understood

BIOREGIONALIZATION OF ANGOLAN MAMMALS: ANALYSING PRE-WAR PATTERNS TO INFORM CONSERVATION ACTION

27 Jun 2014 - Patrícia Rodrigues | June 27, 2014 | 15h20 | CIBIO’s Auditorium, Campus de Vairão
BIOREGIONALIZATION OF ANGOLAN MAMMALS: ANALYSING PRE-WAR PATTERNS TO INFORM CONSERVATION ACTION

STUDENT SEMINAR IN BIODIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION

 

 

The efforts to stop and reverse the decline in biological diversity, together with the development of new statistical approaches, have led to a revival in bioregionalization studies. Biogeographical regionalization allows the definition of homogeneous regions in terms of species assemblages, and the identification of causal factors shaping the spatial distribution of such assemblages.
In this study we undertake a biogeographical regionalization of Angola, based on previously unavailable data on the historical distribution of mammalian species. We applied classification techniques to determine faunal affinities between regions, and ordination techniques to identify the relationships between species assemblages and environmental features.
Our results show four major biogeographical divisions in the country, associated with a dominant north-south gradient of decreasing humidity and increasing temperature, and with a concurrent gradient from dense forests and woodlands to open savannas, grasslands and deserts.

 

 

Patrícia joined the APPLECOL and the TROPBIO groups in 2012, as a research fellow, under a partnership between Tropical Research Institute (IICT, Lisbon) and CIBIO-InBIO. Currently, under the supervision of of Pedro Beja (CIBIO-InBIO) e Rui Figueira (IICT, CIBIO-InBIO), Patrícia is analyzing historical mammal data, using biogeographical approaches, species distribution models and climate change scenarios, to inform conservation action in Angola.
Patrícia is also collaborating in a project that addresses the socio-economic and environmental impacts of cashew expansion in Guinea-Bissau, where she is studying the effects of cashew expansion on mammal and bird communities.
Patrícia has a graduation in Biology from University of Aveiro (2007) and holds a Masters’ degree in Conservation Biology from University of Lisbon (2010).

 

 

Image credits: Crawford-Cabral & Patrícia Rodrigues

Share this: