FNR 10300 Lecture 30: Conservation and evolution (week 15)

• School: Purdue University
• Department: Forestry & Natural Resources
• Course: FNR 10300
• Professor: Dr.Dunning

Document Summary

Small populations are more vulnerable to factors that threaten biodiversity. Small population approach- study processes that cause extinction once population size is reduced. Extinction vortex- once population size is reduced factors keep decreasing it until no survivors are left ge(cid:374)eti(cid:272) variatio(cid:374) is i(cid:373)porta(cid:374)t. Minimal population size at which a species is able to sustain its numbers. Measures breeding potential some individuals in population don"t breed. Gives more accurate information about population is chances of survival. Conservation goal- maintain effective population size above mvp. Declining population approach- study of threatened & endangered populations that are declining even if populatio(cid:374) size is a(cid:271)ove mvp fo(cid:272)uses o(cid:374) e(cid:374)viro(cid:374)(cid:373)e(cid:374)tal fa(cid:272)tors that (cid:272)ause de(cid:272)li(cid:374)e i(cid:374) the first pla(cid:272)e. Habitat fragmentation- breaking once continuous habitat into smaller, unconnected pieces, increases edge habitat. Habitat edges- boundaries between ecosystems; more edge means less habitat for species who live in centers and more danger to them from predators & parasites.