The island dilemma: Lessons of modern biogeographic studies for the design of natural reserves
Biological ConservationPublished 1 February 1975
Jared M. Diamond
Citations1,575
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.65
SNIP1.58
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TL;DR
The main conclusions are as follows: the number of species that a reserve can hold at equilibrium is a function of its area and its isolation, and larger reserves, and reserves located close to other reserves, can hold more species.
Abstract
A system of natural reserves, each surrounded by altered habitat, resembles a system of islands from the point of view of species restricted to natural habitats. Recent advances in island biogeography may provide a detailed basis for understanding what to expect of such a system of reserves. The main conclusions are as follows: The number of species that a reserve can hold at equilibrium is a function of its area and its isolation. Larger reserves, and reserves located close to other reserves, can hold more species. If most of the area of a habitat is destroyed, and a fraction of the area is saved as a reserve, the reserve will initially contain more species than it can hold at equilibrium. The excess will gradually go extinct. The smaller the reserve, the higher will be the extinction rates. Estimates of these extinction rates for bird and mammal species have recently become available in a few cases. Different species require different minimum areas to have a reasonable chance of survival. Some geometric design principles are suggested in order to optimise the function of reserves in saving species.
Keywords
Environmental Science
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