Ecological Effectiveness: Conservation Goals for Interactive Species

摘要: Abstract: The rarity or absence of highly interactive species leaves a functional void that can trigger linked changes leading to degraded simplified ecosystems. A preliminary analysis indicates relatively high frequency such among endangered mammals. Rapid environmental change is likely increase the interactivity some and reduce others over short intervals. current implementation policies laws, as U.S. Endangered Species Act, generally ignores interspecific effects; recovery goals are autecological, term, numerically spatially minimalistic. Moreover, by failing account for interactions, objectives becoming indefensible in light increasing knowledge from community ecology. Using sea otter (   Enhydra lutris ) wolf ( Canis lupus ) examples, we argue conservation plans should call repatriation at ecologically effective densities many places currently realistic. It will be prudent beneficial estimate where there disagreement experts interested parties about desirability restoring an particular region density.