Indigenous land is the keystone to protecting Brazilian bat (Mammalia: Chiroptera) biodiversity and their ecosystem services

Abstract

Global biodiversity is under unprecedented threat from anthropogenic activities, particularly in tropical regions that harbor high concentrations of endemic species. Bats, as key ecological players in tropical ecosystems, provide essential services such as pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control, yet many species face significant threats due to habitat loss and degradation. This study evaluates the role of Indigenous Lands (TIs) and Protected Areas (PAs) in conserving bat biodiversity and their ecosystem services in Brazil. Using species distribution models (SDMs) and the Zonation algorithm, we assessed the conservation importance of 179 bat species across different trophic guilds and IUCN threat categories. Our findings reveal that TIs, though not originally designated for biodiversity conservation, play a crucial role in preserving bat habitats. However, current PAs show low importance to protect bat diversity, particularly for species with restricted distributions or those in highly threatened biomes like the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga. The Amazon biome, despite its extensive network of PAs, faces increasing threats from illegal activities, underscoring the need for integrated conservation strategies that include ILs and private lands. We highlight the urgent need for conservation policies grounded in ecological priorities rather than economic or political motivations. Expanding protected areas in critical biomes and incorporating Tis in conservation planning are essential steps to safeguard bat biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide.