This document discusses using measures of evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) and endangerment to prioritize conservation of endangered species. It proposes a new metric called regional evolutionary distinctiveness and endangerment (RED-E) that incorporates both a species' distinctiveness within its region as well as its level of regional endangerment. The document outlines the methodology for calculating RED-E values and applies it to mammals and birds in the continental US, finding RED-E captures similar but not identical priorities as the existing global EDGE metric. It concludes RED-E can be a useful conservation planning tool at regional levels.
This document discusses using measures of evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) and endangerment to prioritize conservation of endangered species. It proposes a new metric called regional evolutionary distinctiveness and endangerment (RED-E) that incorporates both a species' distinctiveness within its region as well as its level of regional endangerment. The document outlines the methodology for calculating RED-E values and applies it to mammals and birds in the continental US, finding RED-E captures similar but not identical priorities as the existing global EDGE metric. It concludes RED-E can be a useful conservation planning tool at regional levels.