The importance of integration of spatial information in the study of biodiversity loss

Evidence indicates that the sixth mass extinction might already be upon us or imminent. In this context,it is of vital importance to study mechanisms of biodiversity loss and its influence on ecosystem function. From the previous researches,we have learned several main processes causing biodiversity loss,and have some preliminary understanding of their spatial scales on biodiversity loss. However,effect of spatial per se on the biodiversity loss research are still neglected by many studies in this field. Because the processes of biodiversity loss occur in various spatial scales,the patterns of biodiversity loss created by these processes should have different characteristics among spatial scales. Ignoring the spatial information is likely to add bias in diversity loss and other related researches,and even draws wrong conclusions that lead improper applications at different spatial scales in the biodiversity protection. Integration of spatial information has become one of the frontiers or hot topics in the current biodiversity loss research,or even in the whole ecological researches. In order to promote domestic development of this trend,this article elaborated the importance of spatial information on contemporary and future biodiversity loss researches from the following two perspectives,estimation and monitoring of biodiversity loss,and several main mechanisms of biodiversity loss(e.g. global environmental change,habitat fragmentation and biological invasion,et al.). Possible problems and consequences of not fully taking into account of the spatial information in biodiversity loss researches were also illustrated by examples. Finally,feasibility and practicability of integrating spatial information into the study of biodiversity loss were discussed under current infrastructures of science and technology in China.