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A Large Theoretical And Empirical Literature On Dispersal Exists In Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Posted by cbjones1943 on 20 Apr 2014 at 15:34 GMT

1. I think i understand that Conservation Biologists are concerned about knowing more about the causes and consequences of anthropogenic factors on dispersal within and between animal populations.
2. Conservation Biologists might be informed by the significant [1] theoretical and [2] empirical literature in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology highlighting [1] quantitative [e.g., mathematical modeling] approaches to extracting inferences from data already existing and [2] questions that might assist Conservation Biologists to evaluate the data already available regarding their import for populations [e.g., population/genetic structure], communities [e.g., species diversity], & ecosystems [e.g., effects of dispersing individuals and groups on ecosystem services].
3. My point is that methods and questions are already available that might be applied to the existing database[s] on animal dispersal that are likely to have much to offer Conservation Biologists.
4. Related to the above, it seems timely for Conservation Biologists to consider the effects of animal dispersal for Ecosystems as well as single populations, species, or regions. Recent empirical data, for example, show that, overall, species turnover has been significantly impacted [speeded up] during the Anthropocene rather than biodiversity, per se. These data would suggest that conservation biologists would benefit from, for example, assessing the mechanisms, causes, and effects of animal dispersal at the community level. clara b. jones

No competing interests declared.
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