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24-03-2026

A study identifies 40 priority areas for conserving arthropod biodiversity in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands

A new collaborative study, with notable participation from the FEHM research group of the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona, has been published in Insect Conservation and Diversity. It is the first large‑scale integrated assessment of arthropod distribution in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, aiming to identify arthropod biodiversity hotspots and priority conservation areas.

Arthropods—including insects, spiders and crustaceans—represent the majority of the planet’s biodiversity and play essential roles in ecosystems, yet they remain largely overlooked in conservation policies. The study, based on more than 416,000 records and 6,231 species across 13 taxonomic groups, has identified 40 priority areas for the conservation of this faunal group, which is essential for ecosystem functioning.

Mediterranean mountain ranges as biodiversity centers

The research reveals that the main arthropod biodiversity hotspots are found in major mountain systems such as the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian Range, the Central System and the Betic System, with Sierra Nevada standing out as the only area identified with seven different groups. Although these priority areas account for only 0.6% of the territory, they harbour more than 55% of all recorded species, clearly highlighting their importance for biodiversity conservation on a peninsular scale.

The study involved researchers Núria Bonada and Carlota Sánchez Campaña from IRBio UB, who contributed to the ecological validation of the data and the interpretation of arthropod distribution patterns, particularly in freshwater ecosystems.

Assessment of the Natura 2000 network

The study also examines the effectiveness of the European Natura 2000 network in protecting these key areas. The results show a high degree of overlap between the identified priority areas and existing protected sites, with an average coverage of 65%. However, the authors warn that some areas of interest—including four priority zones—lie partially or entirely outside the network, underscoring the need to strengthen planning and management strategies oriented toward arthropod conservation.

A call to integrate arthropods into environmental policy

The authors highlight that, despite being the most diverse group in the animal kingdom and playing essential roles in ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient recycling and natural pest control, arthropods remain underrepresented in conservation legislation and management plans. The study stresses the need to explicitly integrate them into the management of protected areas and into broader strategies such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Article reference
Sánchez Fernández, D., Mañas Jordá, S., García Meseguer, A.J., et al. (2026). Priority areas for arthropod conservation in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands: Insights from a multi‑taxon distributional database. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 1–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.70060.

We dedicate this study to the memory of our colleague Enrique García‑Barros, who participated actively in the development of this work and sadly passed away in January 2026.