Extensive mismatch between protected areas and biodiversity hotspots of Iranian Lepidoptera

Amidst the era of rapid decline in insect diversity, the role of protected areas (PAs) in conserving current insect diversity is more significant than ever. Previous studies indicate that the species-diverse regions in Iran fall within two global biodiversity hotspots (GBHs): the Irano-Anatolian hotspot in the north and the Caucasus hotspot in the west. However, there is an extensive conservation gap between species-diverse regions and PAs for different vertebrate taxa. Additionally, mega-diverse groups of insects have been overlooked in previous conservation assessments. In this study, using the most comprehensive occurrence dataset of 1974 species from nine families of Lepidoptera, we delineated regions with statistically significant high diversity as diversity hotspots of the group. Furthermore, we defined the regions with higher conservation priority. Finally, we applied a gap analysis to assess the mismatch between the network of PAs and the most species-diverse regions. Most species-diverse regions of Lepidoptera fall within GBHs and particularly the Irano-Anatolian hotspot. Overall, the results of our gap analysis revealed that less than one quarter of currently established PAs cover priority areas for conservation, which indicates a dramatic deficiency of the network of PAs in conserving higher priority areas of Lepidoptera. Misplacement of the PAs in Iran, beside pressure of human footprint, can reduce the effectiveness of the established PAs to conserve the current biodiversity. Hence, enhancing the existing network of PAs and designing new ones, while considering mega-diverse taxa such as insects, will be essential for implementing effective conservation practices. Species-rich regions and areas with higher priority for conservation of Iranian Lepidoptera are mainly restricted to the major mountain ranges in the north and west. We investigated an extensive mismatch between the current network of the protected areas and no-hunting areas, and the regions prioritized for Lepidoptera conservation within Iran. Protected areas cover only 25% of high-priority Lepidoptera conservation areas. Our analysis also highlights significant conservation potential in no-hunting across the biodiversity hotspots of this group. image