Nestedness, biogeographic theory, and the design of nature reserves |
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Authors: | William J Boecklen |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Box 30001, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA Fax: (505) 646 5665, MX |
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Abstract: | I examine the relationship between nested distributional patterns and the degree to which several small reserves will contain
more species than would a single reserve of equal total area (SLOSS). Nestedness is a common property of species distributions
on real and habitat islands. However, there is considerable variation in nestedness among species distributions, some of which
is related to the physical and biological background of the archipelagoes. Nestedness does not vary according to the taxonomic
group examined (with the exception of aquatic invertebrates). Nestedness does vary between real and habitat islands (with
aquatic invertebrates excluded), but not between oceanic and land-bridge islands. The more a biota is nested, the more likely
it is that a single large reserve would preserve more species. However, nestedness is a rather poor predictor of SLOSS, as
the vast majority of archipelagoes support a strategy of several small reserves, even though almost all of them are significantly
nested. Nestedness says little about optimal reserve design and management, and appears to be a weak conservation tool.
Received: 30 May 1995 / Accepted: 1 April 1997 |
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Keywords: | Conservation biology Island biogeography Nestedness Reserve design SLOSS |
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