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Estimates of minimum viable population sizes for vertebrates and factors influencing those estimates

Reed, D. H., OGrady, J. J., Brook, Barry W., Ballou, J. D. and Frankham, R. (2003). Estimates of minimum viable population sizes for vertebrates and factors influencing those estimates. Biological Conservation,113(1):23-34.

Document type: Journal Article
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Title Estimates of minimum viable population sizes for vertebrates and factors influencing those estimates
Author Reed, D. H.
OGrady, J. J.
Brook, Barry W.
Ballou, J. D.
Frankham, R.
Journal Name Biological Conservation
Publication Date 2003
Volume Number 113
Issue Number 1
ISSN 0006-3207   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-0038348575
Start Page 23
End Page 34
Total Pages 12
Place of Publication Oxford, United Kingdom
Publisher Elsevier Science
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Population size is a major determinant of extinction risk. However, controversy remains as to how large populations need to be to ensure persistence. It is generally believed that minimum viable population sizes (MVPs) would be highly specific, depending on the environmental and life history characteristics of the species. We used population viability analysis to estimate MVPs for 102 species. We define a minimum viable population size as one with a 99% probability of persistence for 40 generations. The models are comprehensive and include age-structure, catastrophes, demographic stochasticity, environmental stochasticity, and inbreeding depression. The mean and median estimates of MVP were 7316 and 5816 adults, respectively. This is slightly larger than, but in general agreement with, previous estimates of MVP. MVPs did not differ significantly among major taxa, or with latitude or trophic level, but were negatively correlated with population growth rate and positively correlated with the length of the study used to parameterize the model. A doubling of study duration increased the estimated MVP by approximately 67%. The increase in extinction risk is associated with greater temporal variation in population size for models built from longer data sets. Short-term studies consistently underestimate the true variances for demographic parameters in populations. Thus, the lack of long-term studies for endangered species leads to widespread underestimation of extinction risk. The results of our simulations suggest that conservation programs, for wild populations, need to be designed to conserve habitat capable of supporting approximately 7000 adult vertebrates in order to ensure long-term persistence. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords demographic stochasticity
endangered species
extinction
minimum viable population size
population variability
population viability analysis
spatial pva models
inbreeding depression
density-dependence
conservation biology
viability analysis
extinction risk
butterfly metapopulation
orb spiders
variability
dynamics
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00346-4   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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