How are Natura 2000 protected areas covering different components of avian diversity in Spain?

Protected areas are a relevant conservation tool at our disposal, especially for developing management strategies of natural habitats. However, explicit tests large spatial scales about its effectivity protecting different components biodiversity still rare. This study explored the matching between distribution three avian diversity (taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic metrics) network Natura 2000 protected in Spain, EU country with most extensive terrestrial coverage. Overall, taxonomic, was slightly spatially congruent, areas. each metric showed differences arrangement clusters, also regarding environment type. Species richness higher forests while it lower orchards, mixed environments, arable lands. Functional dispersion forest lands, wetlands. In contrast, highest associated wetlands water bodies, shrublands showing lowest levels this metric. All metrics were overall within than outside network. The species simultaneously by Habitat Birds Directives. designed under Directive. Finally, evolutionary uniqueness well represented all areas, although Directive values presence mismatch among suggests importance considering better prioritisation planning.