Gaston, K.J. & Fuller, R.A. 2007. Biodiversity and extinction: Losing the common and the widespread. Progress in Physical Geography, 31, 213–225.
Common and widespread species are arguably of significant conservation concern for three linked reasons. First, a number of species that are presently highly threatened or have recently become extinct could previously have been described as common and widespread. Second, there is growing evidence that large numbers of presently still common and widespread species are undergoing massive declines, with major ramifications for ecosystem functions and services, and potentially for many other species. Third, the processes that underlie these declines seem likely to intensify in many regions in the future. In this paper we selectively review each of these three issues.