Designing effective protected area networks for multiple species

Protected area networks seek to ensure the persistence of multiple species, but their and extent are limited by available land conservation resources. Prioritising sites based on quality, quantity, size, or connectivity is often proposed; potentially using occupancy metapopulation dynamics individual threatened species as surrogates for network effectiveness. However, which with overlapping habitat requirements differ, implications this optimal designs rarely tested. We parameterise models 5 papyrus-specialist birds occupying a papyrus swamp in Uganda, each possess subtly different ecological characteristics preferences. estimate how responds strategies prioritising patch number, quality connectivity. The approach differed depending structure species. rank order also varied overall wetland desired threshold. For achieved highest levels population size an equivalent amount conserved. connected patches showed greatest overlap across thus most effective strategy conserve same prioritised This emphasises importance species' planning, demonstrates utility protected spatial patches, when aiming differing uncertain requirements.