The Conservation Value of Peripheral Populations: the Supporting Science

摘要: Traditionally, populations at the periphery of geographic range a species have been regarded as having little value in conserving biodiversity. This view developed from expectation that edge their are more vulnerable to extinction than central portion range. Conservation biologists also assumed genetic diversity is greatest near center its low regard for peripheral has incorporated into guidelines practitioners told direct limited conservation resources because chance survival and genetically impoverished. These expectations related caused officials many governmental levels question including distribution lists protected species. Despite often uncritical acceptance populations, recent research suggests may play an important role declining Contrary expectations, undergone large contractions, persist significantly do populations. In addition, examinations across beginning call assumption higher diversity. Furthermore, studies on both persistence genetics suggest distinction between not be Thus, plans should include found species' distribution.