Species richness and endemism in south American birds: Implications for the design of networks of nature reserves

In conservation biology the focus has recently shifted from individual species to entire biomes. The global strategy for conserving biodiversity assigns high priority to "areas with particular species richness and endemism." The inherent conflicts between these two criteria are noteworthy. Geographic patterns of species richness may reflect current carrying capacity, determined by energy and habitat flux, while endemism to a much larger extent reflects evolutionary events. Past histories are relevant to current initiatives to conserve species and sustainably manage natural resources because many such histories reflect intrinsic natural properties of specific areas, which may influence biological diversification as well as human livelihood.