Edge Effects and the Extinction of Populations Inside Protected Areas

摘要: Theory predicts that small populations may be driven to extinction by random fluctuations in demography and loss of genetic diversity through drift. However, population size is a poor predictor large carnivores inhabiting protected areas. Conflict with people on reserve borders the major cause mortality such populations, so border areas represent sinks. The species most likely disappear from reserves are those range widely-and therefore exposed threats borders-irrespective size. Conservation efforts combat only stochastic processes unlikely avert extinction.