Relationships between the distribution of wildlife and livestock diversity

Aim Wild biodiversity and agrobiodiversity are affected by challenges such
as agricultural intensification. However, it is unknown whether or not
both components of biodiversity respond similarly to environmental factors
and to these challenges. Here, we examine the spatial relationships
between the distributions of wild biodiversity and agrobiodiversity, to
quantify how and where they covary across the geography. Location Mainland
Spain, a European region that harbours high values of both wild and agro‐
biodiversity. Methods We used geographically weighted regression models to
analyse the spatial variation in the relationships between the
distribution of wild vertebrates and environmental and agrobiodiversity
variables. We modelled the spatial gradients in species richness of native
terrestrial vertebrates—that is, specific groups of amphibians, reptiles,
birds and mammals—as a function of local livestock breed richness—that is,
bovine, ovine, caprine, asinine, equine and porcine—climate variables and
human footprint. Results We found significant covariation between the
distribution of native vertebrate species richness and climate, human
footprint and livestock diversity. Overall, the association between
species richness of the four wild terrestrial vertebrate groups and local
livestock breed richness is positive across most of the studied area.
However, local breed richness of cattle and sheep breed displays
contrasting patterns, where cattle breeds associate positively to most
wildlife vertebrates and sheep breeds show negative associations. Main
conclusion Wildlife diversity distributions are significantly associated
with livestock agrobiodiversity. These spatial relationships are mediated
by large‐scale environmental gradients. Since both, wildlife and livestock
agrobiodiversity, tend to co‐occur spatially, future strategies for
conservation in agricultural landscapes could benefit from integrated
approaches.