Extinction models and conservation

In their seminal book, The Theory of Island Biogeography, MacArthur and Wilson (1) proposed that '(the principles derived from island biogeography] apply, and will apply to an accelerating extent in the future, to formerly continuous natural habitats now being broken up by the encroachment of civilization'. Debate over the validity of this statement has raged for a decade, focusing particularly on reserve design 'rules' and whether a single large reserve or several small reserves will protect more species? These arguments have led to some new insights, if not a fresh perspective, on some old but fundamental topics in ecology and evolution. Most notable among these is extinction.