Data and R code from: Rethinking global hotspots for threatened terrestrial vertebrates

Aim We aimed to delimit hotspots for terrestrial threatened vertebrate
species (HTV) through novel macroecological and statistical approaches.
Location Global. Time Period Present day (1979–2024). Major Taxa Studied
Terrestrial threatened vertebrate species (n = 7188). Methods In
comparison with previous delimitations of hotspots, we: (i) considered
richness and degree of endemism together through a robust statistical
framework; (ii) focused on a priority set of species extremely important
in terms of conservation, based on IUCN threat status; and (iii) used a
fine spatial scale which allowed us to define key sub-areas within classic
hotspots. We also assessed the degree of protection and human impact
within the proposed HTV. Results We propose 20 global hotspots for
threatened terrestrial vertebrates. In comparison with classic hotspots,
proposed HTV have a significantly more limited distribution, covering ~27%
of classic hotspots' area. In addition, a large proportion of HTV
(~27%) does not match with classic hotspots. The overlap between HTV and
protected areas (PAs) is low (< 11%), and extremely low when only
strict protected areas are considered (< 1.5%). Also, a great
degree of HTV exhibits high to extreme levels of human modification. On
average, the velocity of climate change within HTV has been low, but
attention must be given to notable areas presenting medium to high
velocities. Interestingly, the geographical locations of highly endemic
and rich areas considerably varied across individual vertebrate taxa. Yet,
a high proportion of these priority areas for individual taxa are covered
by the proposed HTV (74%–89%). Main Conclusions Our findings present key
areas of the world for threatened terrestrial vertebrate species, many of
these at high risk due to an interplay among low levels of protection,
extreme levels of human modification and climate change. The proposed HTV
are highly relevant in terms of decision-making, serving as a guide for
allocating the limited conservation resources.