Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Conservation of endangered species
Species at risk of extinction, by virtue of their rarity, are subject to various forms of uncertainty in their popula-
tion dynamics and, as a crisis discipline, conservation decisions need to be made in the absence of a detailed
understanding of these dynamics. Small populations also face risks associated with their genetic status, some-
thing that at best is only ever partially documented. This chapter is about making the most of limited information
to reduce the likelihood of extinction of threatened populations.
Chapter contents
5.1 Dealing with endangered species - a crisis discipline
109
5.2 Assessing extinction risk from correlational data
113
5.3 Simple algebraic models of population viability analysis
117
5.3.1 The case of Fender's blue butterfl y
117
5.3.2 A primate in Kenya - how good are the data?
118
5.4 Simulation modeling for population viability analysis
119
5.4.1 An Australian icon at risk
120
5.4.2 The royal catchfl y - a burning issue
122
5.4.3 Ethiopian wolves - dogged by disease
123
5.4.4 How good is your population viability analysis?
126
5.5 Conservation genetics
127
5.5.1 Genetic rescue of the Florida panther
128
5.5.2 The pink pigeon - providing a solid foundation
128
5.5.3 Reintroduction of a 'red list' plant - the value of crossing
129
5.5.4 Outfoxing the foxes of the Californian Channel Islands
130
5.6 A broader perspective of conservation - ecology, economics and sociopolitics all matter
130
5.6.1 Genetically modifi ed crops - larking about with farmland biodiversity
131
5.6.2 Diclofenac - good for sick cattle, bad for vultures
133
Key concepts
In this chapter you will
understand that the population dynamics of threatened species are governed by high levels of
uncertainty
appreciate that population viability can be gauged by methods that vary in the amount of data
required and in the confi dence that can be placed in their conclusions
understand that attempts to defi ne the minimum viable population are not so much aimed at precise
estimation of extinction probability, but to allow managers to compare the likely outcomes of
alternative management scenarios
108
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