Bet-hedging applications for conservation

Journal of biosciences

Eileen M Kirsch²  Christopher Servheen¹  Mark S Boyce1³ 

[1] US Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA$$;US Geological Survey, Division of Biological Resources, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA$$;Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada$$

关键词: Bet hedging;    Bitterroot wilderness;    environmental correlation;    grizzly bear;    least tern;    Sterna antillarum;    Ursus arctos horribilis;   

DOI  :  

来源: Indian Academy of Sciences

【 摘 要 】

One of the early tenets of conservation biology is that population viability is enhanced by maintaining multiple populations of a species. The strength of this tenet is justified by principles of bet-hedging. Management strategies that reduce variance in population size will also reduce risk of extinction. Asynchrony in population fluctuations in independent populations reduces variance in the aggregate of populations whereas environmental correlation among areas increases the risk that all populations will go extinct. We review the theoretical rationale of bet-hedging and suggest applications for conservation management of least terns in Nebraska and grizzly bears in the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States. The risk of extinction for least terns will be reduced if we can sustain the small central Platte River population in addition to the larger population on the lower Platte. Similarly, by restoring grizzly bears to the Bitterroot wilderness of Idaho and Montana can reduce the probability of extinction for grizzly bears in the Rocky Mountains of the United States by as much as 69–93%.

【 授权许可】

Unknown