The application of biogeographical zonation and biodiversity assessment to the conservation of freshwater habitats in Great Britain

Twelve biogeographical zones for freshwater habitats in Great Britain were derived, using detrended canonical correspondence analysis of data on climate, relief, geology, soils and land use, in conjunction with occurrence data for more than 300 native freshwater species. 2. The taxonomic groups used were aquatic macrophytes, dragonflies, freshwater molluscs, amphibians and selected leeches, water beetles and crustaceans. The computer database of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology's Biological Records Centre was used as the principal source of species data. 3. Within each of the 12 biogeographical zones, 10×10 km square ‘hotspots’ for species richness and rarity were identified. 4. The significance of this work for the conservation of freshwater habitats and species in Great Britain is discussed.