2019-02-082019-02-082010-12TRINDADE FILHO, Joaquim; LOYOLA, Rafael Dias. O uso de grupos indicadores como atalho para a conservação da biodiversidade. Revista de Biologia Neotropical, Goiânia, v. 7, n. 2, p. 27-38, jul./dez. 2010. Disponível em: <https://www.revistas.ufg.br/RBN/article/view/15457/9460>.1807-9652http://repositorio.bc.ufg.br/handle/ri/17011Given the current biodiversity crisis, exercises that identify indicator groups capable of representing the whole diversity of a region have become indispensable to develop strategies for effective conservation actions. These groups help to guide actions, reducing time for decision making. Irrespective of the applied indicator groups, all current conservation strategies are based upon the conceptual framework of Systematic Conservation Planning, in which the selection of areas to be preserved must meet the criterion of complementarity. Furthermore, current strategies must take into consideration different aspects of biodiversity (e.g. functional diversity), as well as species richness. In this article, we review and discuss the numerous applications of indicator groups as a shortcut to the proposition of integrated conservation plans. We also present practical suggestions to implement indicator groups aiming at the conservation of different aspects of biodiversity. Whenever supported by ecological theory, the use of indicator groups provides fundamental scientific basis for decisions regarding the targeting of efforts to establish areas for biodiversity conservation.porAcesso AbertoComplementaridadeDiversidade funcionalOriginalidadePlanejamento sistemático da conservaçãoComplementarityFunctional diversityOriginalitySystematic conservation planningArtigo10.5216/rbn.v7i2.15457