Applications of genetics and population biology: The what, were and how of nature reserves
Biosphere reserves are among the ultimate repositories of wildlife. There fore only long-term survival of habitats and species should be admitted as a principal goal of such refuges. This goal still leaves open many possibilities and questions about the design and management of such reserves. Among these are (1) the protection of endangered species (2) maximization of species diversity, (3) the criterion of endemicity, and (4) the criterion of sustainability, especially during the breakdown of management and security. The relative advantages of single large versus several small reserves cannot be discussed in isolation from a real biological context, and the situation "on the ground" will determine which alternatives are optimal. A critical issue relating to size is the minimum viable population (MVP). The factors that mus be considered in discussions of MVP are (1) demographic stochasticity, (2) genetic stochasticity, (3) social dysfunction, (4) patch dynamics, (5) disease, (6) environmental stochasticity and (7) catastrophe. The MVP criterion should be applied to rare and significant species including large herbivores and carnivores. It will usually be necessary to provide for at least two well-isolated MVPs. The minimum size of biosphere reserves should be the area needed to accommodate th MVP of the most vulnerable of the keystone or dominant species.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
URSS
1984
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| Subjects: | RECURSOS GENETICOS, RESERVA DE LA BIOSFERA, |
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