Top Predators as Conservation Tools: Ecological Rationale, Assumptions, and Efficacy

摘要: We review the ecological rationale behind potential compatibility between top predators and biodiversity conservation, examine their effectiveness as surrogate species. Evidence suggests that promote species richness or are spatio-temporally associated with it for six causative noncausative reasons: resource facilitation, trophic cascades, dependence on ecosystem productivity, sensitivity to dysfunctions, selection of heterogeneous sites links multiple components. Therefore, predator-centered conservation may deliver certain goals. To this aim, have been employed in keystone, umbrella, sentinel, flagship, indicator However, quantitative tests surrogate-efficacy astonishingly few. they function structuring agents indicators some ecosystems but not others, perform poorly umbrella species; more consensus exists efficacy sentinel flagship Conservation biologists need use apex cautiously, part wider, context-dependent mixed strategies.