Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.biocon.2013.12.011
Title (Primary) Toward better application of minimum area requirements in conservation planning
Author Pe'er, G.; Tsianou, M.A.; Franz, K.W.; Matsinos, Y.G.; Mazaris, A.D.; Storch, D.; Kopsova, L.; Verboom, J.; Baguette, M.; Stevens, V.M.; Henle, K.
Source Titel Biological Conservation
Year 2014
Department NSF
Volume 170
Page From 92
Page To 102
Language englisch
Keywords Body mass; Database; Minimum viable population; Population viability analysis; Time horizon; Review
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract The Minimum Area Requirements (MAR) of species is a concept that explicitly addresses area and therefore can be highly relevant for conservation planning and policy. This study compiled a comprehensive database of MAR estimates from the literature, covering 216 terrestrial animal species from 80 studies. We obtained estimates from (a) Population Viability Analyses (PVAs) which explored a range of area-related scenarios, (b) PVAs that provided a fixed value – either MAR or the minimum viable population size (MVP) alongside other area-relevant information, and (c) empirical studies of occupancy patterns in islands or isolated habitat patches across area. We assessed the explanatory power of life-history traits (body mass, feeding guild, generation length and offspring size), environmental variables (average precipitation and temperature), research approach and phylogenetic group on MAR estimates. PVAs exploring area showed strong correlation between MAR and body mass. One to two additional variables further improved the predictive power. PVA reporting fixed MAR, and occupancy-based studies, were better explained by the combination of feeding guild, climatic variables and additional life history traits. Phylogeny had a consistent but usually small contribution to the predictive power of models. Our work demonstrates that estimating the MAR across species and taxa is achievable but requires cautious interpretation. We further suggest that occupancy patterns are likely sensitive to transient dynamics and are therefore risky to use for estimating MAR. PVA-based evaluations enable considering time horizon and extinction probability, two aspects that are critical for future implementation of the MAR concept into policy and management.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=14424
Pe'er, G., Tsianou, M.A., Franz, K.W., Matsinos, Y.G., Mazaris, A.D., Storch, D., Kopsova, L., Verboom, J., Baguette, M., Stevens, V.M., Henle, K. (2014):
Toward better application of minimum area requirements in conservation planning
Biol. Conserv. 170 , 92 - 102 10.1016/j.biocon.2013.12.011