Freshwater systems and their associated biodiversity are among the most threatened ecosystems globally. The greatest threats to freshwater fishes are the introduction and spread of non-native species, pollution, habitat degradation and loss, and overexploitation. While many regions across the world contain extensive networks of protected areas, these are largely ineffective for protecting riverine systems and their biodiversity. This is because they were designed with the aim of prioritising conservation of terrestrial biodiversity, with limited or no consideration for aquatic systems. The Cape Fold Ecoregion, located within the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa, is home to the highest percentage of threatened freshwater fishes in the country. The region has an extensive protected area network that protects a wide array of ecosystems, but limited information exists on the role of protected areas in conserving the endemic freshwater fish fauna of this region. This study evaluated the value of protected areas for protection of freshwater fishes in the Western Cape Province by setting species conservation targets and then intersecting species distribution data with protected area polygons. Conservation targets were set to protect the minimum viable population required for long-term persistence, with a minimum of 10 subpopulations as a target. This, along with other factors such as population viability and protected area effectiveness was used to determine whether a species was effectively protected by the current protected area network. Species were classified into one of four categories; (1) “well protected,” (2) “moderately protected,” (3) “poorly protected,” and (4) “not protected.” Our results indicate that the majority of native fishes are inadequately protected within the current protected area network in the province. This is mainly a result of the linear nature of riverine ecosystems that exposes them to impacts and threats that emanate from outside of the protected area. These limitations are not unique to the CFE, and our findings have broader implications as they highlight the need for integrating both the riverine and terrestrial ecosystems in the design, expansion and management of protected areas. This will enhance and maximise conservation and protection of riverine systems and their unique biodiversity.

中文翻译：

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开普折叠生态区的保护区和地方性淡水鱼类：错过了鱼类保护船？

淡水系统及其相关生物多样性是全球受威胁最严重的生态系统之一。淡水鱼类面临的最大威胁是非本地物种的引入和传播、污染、栖息地退化和丧失以及过度开发。虽然世界上许多地区都拥有广泛的保护区网络，但这些网络对于保护河流系统及其生物多样性基本上是无效的。这是因为它们的设计目的是优先保护陆地生物多样性，很少或没有考虑水生系统。Cape Fold 生态区位于南非的西开普省和东开普省，是该国受威胁淡水鱼类比例最高的地区。该地区拥有广泛的保护区网络，可以保护各种生态系统，但关于保护区在保护该地区特有淡水鱼类群落方面的作用的信息有限。本研究通过设定物种保护目标，然后将物种分布数据与保护区多边形相交，评估了保护区对保护西开普省淡水鱼类的价值。保护目标被设定为保护长期持续所需的最小可行种群，目标是至少 10 个亚种群。这与诸如种群生存能力和保护区有效性等其他因素一起被用来确定一个物种是否受到当前保护区网络的有效保护。物种被分为四类之一；(1)“保护良好”，(2)“中等保护”，(3)“保护不佳”，以及(4)“未保护”。我们的结果表明，在该省当前的保护区网络中，大多数本地鱼类没有得到充分保护。这主要是由于河流生态系统的线性性质使它们暴露于来自保护区之外的影响和威胁。这些限制并不是 CFE 独有的，我们的研究结果具有更广泛的意义，因为它们强调了在保护区的设计、扩展和管理中整合河流和陆地生态系统的必要性。这将加强和最大限度地保护和保护河流系统及其独特的生物多样性。” 我们的结果表明，在该省目前的保护区网络中，大多数本地鱼类没有得到充分保护。这主要是由于河流生态系统的线性性质使它们暴露于来自保护区之外的影响和威胁。这些限制并不是 CFE 独有的，我们的研究结果具有更广泛的意义，因为它们强调了在保护区的设计、扩展和管理中整合河流和陆地生态系统的必要性。这将加强和最大限度地保护和保护河流系统及其独特的生物多样性。” 我们的结果表明，在该省目前的保护区网络中，大多数本地鱼类没有得到充分保护。这主要是由于河流生态系统的线性性质使它们暴露于来自保护区之外的影响和威胁。这些限制并不是 CFE 独有的，我们的研究结果具有更广泛的意义，因为它们强调了在保护区的设计、扩展和管理中整合河流和陆地生态系统的必要性。这将加强和最大限度地保护和保护河流系统及其独特的生物多样性。这主要是由于河流生态系统的线性性质使它们暴露于来自保护区之外的影响和威胁。这些限制并不是 CFE 独有的，我们的研究结果具有更广泛的意义，因为它们强调了在保护区的设计、扩展和管理中整合河流和陆地生态系统的必要性。这将加强和最大限度地保护和保护河流系统及其独特的生物多样性。这主要是由于河流生态系统的线性性质使它们暴露于来自保护区之外的影响和威胁。这些限制并不是 CFE 独有的，我们的研究结果具有更广泛的意义，因为它们强调了在保护区的设计、扩展和管理中整合河流和陆地生态系统的必要性。这将加强和最大限度地保护和保护河流系统及其独特的生物多样性。