On the stability of populations of mammals, birds, fish and insects.

摘要: A key concern for conservation biologists is whether populations of plants and animals are likely to fluctuate widely in number or remain relatively stable around some steady-state value. In our study 634 mammals, birds, fish insects, we find that most can be expected despite year fluctuations caused by environmental factors. Mean return rates were generally one but higher insects (1.09 +/- 0.02 SE) declined with body size mammals. general, this good news conservation, as less go extinct. However, the lower large mammals may make them more vulnerable extinction. Our estimates well below threshold chaos, which makes it unlikely chaotic dynamics occur natural populations--one ecology's unanswered questions.