Minimum viable populations: coping with uncertainty

摘要: Chance extinctions: a growing concern The Global 2000 Report to the President (1980) estimates that between 500 000 and 2 species — 15–20% of all on Earth could become extinct by year 2000. Though direct exploitation pollution will certainly be factors, principal cause this projected wave extinctions is continuing loss wild habitats. Thus, habitat conservation management key elements in any program minimize or reduce expected diminution world's biotic diversity. Given an expanding human population with rising economic expectations, competition for use remaining wildlands intense. Conservationists often face problem determining just how little can have yet survive. At same time, biologists are increasingly coming recognize extinction may result chance events likelihood increase dramatically as size diminishes. To see this, consider life individual living thing. fulfill life's potential, must conceived, go through intricate developmental period, born, further develop, mate, reproduce, while Anywhere along continuum die.