Imperfect detection alters the outcome of management strategies for protected areas

Designing protected areas configurations to maximize biodiversity is a critical conservation goal. The configuration of protected areas can significantly impact the richness and identity of the species found there; one large patch supports larger populations but can facilitate competitive exclusion. Conversely, many small habitats spreads risk but may exclude predators that typically require large home ranges. Identifying how best to design protected areas is further complicated by monitoring programs failing to detect species. Here we test the consequences of different protected area configurations using multi-trophic level experimental microcosms. We demonstrate that for a given total size, many small patches generate higher species richness, are more likely to contain predators, and have fewer extinctions compared to single large patches. However, the relationship between the size and number of patches and species richness was greatly affected by insufficient monitoring, and could le...设计保护区配置以最大化生物多样性，是保护生物学领域的关键目标。保护区的配置方式会显著影响其境内的物种丰富度与物种组成；单个大型斑块虽可维持更大的种群规模，但易加剧竞争排斥效应。与之相对，众多小型生境斑块能够分散种群灭绝风险，却可能排斥通常需要大面积家域的捕食者。此外，监测方案无法检出目标物种的现状，进一步增加了最优保护区配置设计的难度。本研究借助多营养级实验微宇宙（multi-trophic level experimental microcosms），探究了不同保护区配置所产生的生态效应。结果表明，在总规模固定的前提下，相较于单个大型斑块，众多小型斑块可获得更高的物种丰富度，更易容纳捕食者，且物种灭绝事件更少。然而，斑块大小与数量同物种丰富度之间的关联，会因监测不足而受到极大干扰，且可能……