-
Pragmatic population viability targets in a rapidly changing world
-
To ensure both long-term persistence and evolutionary potential, the required number of individuals in a population often greatly exceeds the targets proposed by conservation management. We critically review minimum population size requirements for species based on empirical and theoretical estimates made over the past few decades. This literature collectively shows that thousands (not hundreds) of individuals are required for a population to have an acceptable probability of riding-out environmental fluctuation and catastrophic events, and ensuring the continuation of evolutionary processes. The evidence is clear, yet conservation policy does not appear to reflect these findings, with pragmatic concerns on feasibility over-riding biological risk assessment. As such, we argue that conservation biology faces a dilemma akin to those working on the physical basis of climate change, where scientific recommendations on carbon emission reductions are compromised by policy makers. There is no obvious resolution other than a more explicit acceptance of the trade-offs implied when population viability requirements are ignored. We rec- ommend that conservation planners include demographic and genetic thresholds in their assessments, and recognise implicit triage where these are not met.
Located in
Resources
/
General Resources Holdings
-
A Review of Climate-Change Adaptation Strategies for Wildlife Management and Biodiversity Conservation
-
We reviewed the literature and climate- change adaptation plans that have been developed in United States, Canada, England, Mexico, and South Africa and finding 16 general adaptation strategies that relate directly to the conservation of biological diversity. These strategies can be grouped into four broad categories: land and water protection and management; direct species management; monitoring and planning; and law and policy. Tools for implementing these strategies are similar or identical to those already in use by conservationists worldwide (land and water conservation, ecological restoration, agrienvironment schemes, species translocation, captive propagation, monitoring, natural resource planning, and legislation/regulation). Although the review indicates natural resource managers already have many tools that can be used to address climate-change effects, managers will likely need to apply these tools in novel and innovative ways to meet the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change.
Located in
Resources
/
General Resources Holdings
-
Leonard, Paul
-
Located in
Expertise Search
-
Stark, John
-
Located in
Expertise Search
-
Comiskey, Jim
-
Located in
Expertise Search
-
Besler, Doug
-
Located in
Expertise Search
-
Ecological Forestry Workshop for US Fish & Wildlife Service
-
This is an extremely valuable workshop for anyone in any Service program working with forest conservation issues, especially involving Threatened and Endangered and migratory bird species.
Located in
News & Events
/
Events
-
39th Annual Natural Areas Conference
-
Join conservation professionals from around the country in Norfolk, Virginia, for the 2012 Natural Areas Conference: Keeping Natural Areas Relevant and Resilient.
Located in
News & Events
/
Events
-
Demonstration of the Habitat Climate Change Vulnerability Index (HCCVI)
-
The earth’s rapidly changing climate requires substantial adjustments to existing strategies for conserving natural systems. Managers need a better understanding of factors that contribute to the vulnerability of ecosystems and plant communities in order to formulate new adaptation strategies. The Climate Change Vulnerability Index for Ecosystems and Habitats documents series of indicators of vulnerability to climate change.
Located in
News & Events
/
Events
-
Conservation Priorities Science Needs Workshop
-
The Conservation Priorities Science Needs Workshop took place on November 29-30, 2011 in Blacksburg, VA. A group of over 150 invited researchers and managers representing a diverse cross-section of expertise and affiliations were assembled to identify the science information needs of Appalachia in order to effectively address the conservation challenges and opportunities across the landscape. The resulting “Portfolio” of science needs will serve as a critical guiding framework to help facilitate and support conservation planning, delivery, and applied research and monitoring efforts across the Appalachian LCC.
Located in
Cooperative
/
Our Plan
