Management of Small Populations: Concepts Affecting the Recovery of Endangered Species

Authors

G. E. Belovsky
John A. Bissonette, Utah State UniversityFollow
Raymond Dueser, Utah State UniversityFollow
Thomas C. Edwards Jr., Utah State UniversityFollow
C. M. Luecke
M. E. Ritchie
J. B. Slade
Frederic H. Wagner, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Wildlife Society Bulletin

Volume

22

Publication Date

1994

First Page

307

Last Page

316

Abstract

Based on survey responses from state agencies, Hayes (1991) examined which mammalian orders were most vulnerable to becoming endangered, threatened, or of special concern, and the perceived causes. Habitat destruction was listed most frequently as the cause of a species' vulnerability, whereas overexploitation was only considered important for some Carnivora and Artiodactyla. Reviews of extinctions through history have documented the overriding significance of habitat destruction (Hester 1967, Diamond 1984). Therefore, wildlife biologists and conservationists have long considered habitat destruction to be the critical initial threat to plant and animal populations (Terborgh and Winter 1980). However, we wish to caution that the elimination of the initial causes of endangerment, such as habitat destruction, may not remove the threat to populations and may not be the prime concern in developing recovery plans.

Recommended Citation

Belovsky, G. E., J. A. Bissonette, R. D. Dueser, T. C. Edwards, C. M. Luecke, M. E. Ritchie, J. B. Slade, & F. H. Wagner. 1994. Management of small populations: concepts affecting the recovery of endangered species. Wildlife Society Bulletin 22:307-316.