Quantitative Ecology and the Conservation of Biodiversity: Species Richness, Abundance, and Extinction in Human-Altered Landscapes

摘要: The goal of conservation biology is to understand and prevent the loss biological diversity. Modern science relies heavily on four major quantitative methods: reserve site selection algorithms, species distribution models, population viability analyses, species-area relationships. These methods, however, have several longstanding unresolved shortcomings, including extensive data requirements, long computation times, important simplifying assumptions, that limit their ability inform decisions in many real landscapes. This dissertation develops new approaches ecology address these shortcomings through use simulation modeling, probability theory, machine learning, modern statistics, economic input-output analysis.Chapter 2 examines optimal design networks for preventing extinction terrestrial mammal species, demonstrating match between a species' body size spatial scale landscape can be used determine which will benefit from clustered network design. Chapter 3 derives two macroecological metrics, similar relationship, provide probabilistic estimates single-species risks community-wide rates landscapes undergoing habitat loss. 4 uses acoustic surveys examine road California bats, finding total bat activity, activity common decreased vicinity large highways. 5 presents wildlife footprint analysis combines global bird range maps, human appropriation net primary productivity, tables link specific consumption activities decreases wild populations.