Understanding, Predicting, and Conserving Species Rarity under Climate Change: Ecological and Evolutionary Insights
In order to conserve rare biodiversity, we first need to understand how species are rare, what this means for their persistence, the drivers of these differences, and the broader consequences of rarity on ecosystem function.
Over 36% of plant species are now considered extremely rare1. These rare species often contribute disproportionately to community assembly, species interactions, and ecosystem function through niche specialization, unique functional traits, and distinct evolutionary histories2. To conserve rare biodiversity and the dynamics it supports, we need to understand how species are rare; not all species are rare in the same way. Once we understand how species are rare, we need to identify the drivers of these differences in rarity both conceptually and across global landscapes. Finally, we need to understand the broader consequences of rarity on ecosystem function. By integrating geographic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions of rarity, we work towards the comprehensive management of rare species, a mechanistic understanding of biodiversity, and rarity-informed predictions of communities and ecosystems under climate change.
