A patch of forest (I) has been declared as a protected area. Conservationists have surveyed three other patches of forest (II, III and IV) and can only recommend one of them for protection. In the figure below, each letter denotes a different species of frog. The conservationists recommend that Patch IV should be protected. Which one of the following metrics is this decision based on?
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When prioritizing areas for conservation, consider complementarity to ensure a diverse range of species are protected, especially those not found in currently protected areas.
Step 1: Analyze the Species Distribution. Each letter represents a different species. Comparing the species in all patches, Patch IV has species v, w, x, y, z, which do not appear in any other patch including the already protected Patch I. Step 2: Definition of Complementarity. Complementarity in conservation biology refers to the concept of protecting areas that, when combined, maximize biodiversity conservation across a landscape. Step 3: Apply Complementarity to Patches. Patch IV's unique species set complements the species in the protected Patch I, hence maximizing the conservation of unique species across these patches.
