Ecological applications of niche theory - Ecological Applications: Toward a Sustainable World - page 36

2 Ecological applications of

niche theory

The ecological niche is a summary of an organism's abiotic tolerances and its relationships with resources and
enemies - knowledge that allows managers to predict where potential invaders might do well, to choose locations
for reintroductions and design reserves for endangered species, or restore degraded habitats.

Chapter contents
2.1 Introduction

37

2.2 Unwanted aliens - lessons from niche theory 41

2.2.1 Ecological niche modeling - predicting where invaders will succeed 42

2.2.2 Are we modeling fundamental or realized niches? 44

2.2.3 When humans disrupt ecosystems and make it easy for invaders 44

2.3 Conservation of endangered species - each to its own niche 46

2.3.1 Monarch's winter palace under siege 46

2.3.2 A species off the rails - translocation of the takahe 48

2.4 Restoration of habitats impacted by human activities 49

2.4.1 Land reclamation - prospecting for species to restore mined sites 49

2.4.2 Agricultural intensifi cation - risks to biodiversity 51

2.4.3 How much does it cost to restore a species? 52

2.4.4 River restoration - going with the fl ow 53

Key concepts
In this chapter you will
recognize that to establish and maintain a population, individuals must tolerate abiotic conditions,
fi n d s u f fi c i e n t r e s o urces and persist in the face of enemies
see the value of ecological niche modeling for predicting where invaders might establish and where
desirable natives can be translocated
realize the risky nature of predicting niches of rare species when data are scarce
understand how knowledge of the niche relations of plants can assist when planning land reclama-
tion and habitat restoration
appreciate that environmental management usually involves confronting economic and sociopoliti-
cal as well as ecological perspectives

36