Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Species Conservation: A Population-Biological Approach pp 227–264Cite as

Birkhäuser

Are There Minimal Areas for Animal Populations?

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Advances in Life Sciences ((ALS))

Abstract

The minimal area of an animal populution is determined by A) the area requirement of reproductive units and B) by the viable population size. A) varies due to individually different and seasonally fluctuating home range sizes and is in addtiion strongly influenced by habitat quality. Population survival depends on deterministic as well as stochastic events and can therefore be estimated only with limited probability. A certain limitation of risk factors can be achieved by enlargement of the population size, increase in number of suitable habitats and reduction of isolation between inhabited areas. To determine the size of a “minimum viable population” (MVP) a “population vulnerability analysis” (PVA) is used as most important data base. The objectives of a MVP (e.g. 95% survival probability for the next 100 years) determines the necessary environmental conditions. A method which allows faster predictions was developed for special demands in practical implementation.

A target species should be selected to give qualitative reasons for the protection of areas. Criteria for the selection of target species for conservation were developed which should be modified according to regional conditions.

The concept of target species can also be used to quantify the evaluation of habitats scientifically, which is also an important step for management practises.

The analysis of the data for selected species demonstrates the high variability of the area requirements, above all due to different habitat quality. For a MVP the area requirement is much higher than so far assumed (e.g. much more than 10 km2 for a passerine species). It is not possible to create a generally valid catalogue for the area requirements of species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • ANDREN, H. & ANGELSTAMM, P. (1988): Elevated predation rates as an edge effect in habitat islands: experimental evidence. Ecology 69, 544–547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ANDREWARTHA, H.G. & BIRCH, L.C. (1986): The ecological web. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, London, 506.

    Google Scholar 

  • BAUER, H.-G. (1987): Geburtsortstreue und Streuungsverhalten junger Singvögel. Die Vogelwarte 34, 15–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • BEGON, M., HARPER, J.L. & TOWNSEND, C.R. (1986): Ecology. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, London, Edingburgh, Boston, Palo Alto, Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • BELOVSKY, G.E. & SOULE, M.E.: (1987): Extinction models and mammalian persistence. In: SOULÉ, M.E., Viable populations for conservation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 35–57.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • BLAKE, J.G. & KARR, J.R. (1987): Breeding birds of isolated woodlots: Area and habitat relationships. Ecology 68 (6), 1724–1734.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BOECKLEN, W.J. & SIMBERLOFF, D. (1986): Area-based extinction models in conservation. In: ELLIOTT, D.K.: Dynamics of Extinction. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 247–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • BRITTINGHAM, M.C. & TEMPLE, S (1983): Have cowbirds caused forest songbirds to decline?. Bioschience 33, 31–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BROWN, M. & DINSMORE, J.J. (1986): Implications of marsh size and isolation for marsh bird management. J. Wild. Management 50, 392–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BURKEY, T.V. (1989): Estinction in nature reserves: the effect of fragmentation and the importance of migration between reserve fragments. Oikos 55, 75–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CALDER, W (1984): Size, function, and life history. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, Mass. III.

    Google Scholar 

  • CARREKER, R.G. (1985): Habitat suitability index models: least tern. Biological Report 82 (10.103)

    Google Scholar 

  • CHANTER, D.O. & OWEN, D.F. (1976): Nature reserves: a customer satisfaction index. Oikos 27, 165–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • COLEMAN, B.D., MARES, M, WILLIG, M.R. & HSIEH, Y. (1982): Randomness, area, and species richness. Ecology 63, 1121–1133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CONNOR, E.F. & MCCOY, E.D. (1979): The statistics and biology of the species-area relationship. The American Naturalist 113, 791–829.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DIAMOND, J.M. & MAY, R.M. (1976): Island biogeography. In: MAY, R.M.: Theoretical Ecology. Principles and applications. Blackwell scientific Publ., Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • DIAMOND, J.M. (1978): Critical areas for maintaining viable populations of species. In: HOLDGATE, M. & WOODMAN, M.J. (eds.): Breaddown and restoration of ecosystems. New York, 27–40.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • EHRLICH, P.R. (1983): Genetics and the extinction of butterfly populations. In: SCHONEWALD-COX, C.M., CHAMBERS, S.: M, MA. BRYDE, B., THOMAS, L.: Genetics and conservation. Menlo Park/CA Benjamin/Cummings, 152–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • ELLENBERG, H., RüGER, A. & VAUK, G. (1989): Eutrophierung — das gravierendste Problem im Naturschutz?. Norddeutsche Naturschutzakademie, 2Jahrgang., Heft 1, Schneverdingen, 70.

    Google Scholar 

  • ERS, W. 1981: Flächensicherung für den Artenschutz — Grundbegriffe und Einführung. Jb. Naturschutz Landschaftspfl. ABN 31, 7–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • FRANKEL, O.H. & SOULE, M.E. (1981): Conservation and evolution. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • FRENZEL, P. & SCHNEIDER, M. (1987): Ökologische Untersuchungen an überwinternden Wasservögeln im Ermatinger Becken , .(Bodensee): Die Auswirkungen von Jagd, Schiffahrt und Freizeitaktivitäten. Orn. Jh. Bad.-Württ 3, 53–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • GOODMAN, D. (1975): The theory of diversity-stability relationship in ecology. The quaterly review of biology 50, 237–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GOODMAN, D. (1987): The demography of chance extinction. In: SOULE, M.: Viable populations for conservation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 11–34.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • GOULD, S.J. (1966): Allometry and size in ontogeny and phylogeny. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 41, 587–640.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HAARMANN, K. (1979): Sind Naturschutzgebiete für die Erhaltung in der BRD gefährderter Brutvogelarten geeignet?. Vogelwelt 100, 70–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • HAARMANN, K. (1983): Der aktuelle Zustand der Naturschutzgebiete in der BRD — eine vorläufige Übersicht. Schr. R. Drl. 41, 27–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • HAMPICKE, U. (1988): Extensivierung der Landwirtschaft für den Naturschutz — Ziele, Rahmenbedingungen und Maßnahmen. Schriftenreihe Bayer. Landesamt für Umweltschutz, Heft 84, 9–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • HARRIS, R.B. & ALLENDORF, F.W. (1989): Genetically effective population size of large mammals: an assessment of estimators. Conservation Biology, 3, 181–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JANZEN, D.H. (1983): No park is an island: increase in interference from outside as park size decreases. Oikos 41, 402–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JENNERSTEN, O. (1988): Pollination in Dianthus deltoïdes (Caryophyllaceae): Effects of habitat fragmentation on visitation and seed set. Conservation Biology 2, 359–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KANGAS, P. (1987): On the use of species area curves to predict extinctions. Ecol. Joaety Bull 86, 158–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • KUDRNA, K. (1986): Grundlagen zu einem Artenschutzprogramm für die Tagschmetterlingsfauna in Bayern und Analyse der Schutzproblematik in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Nachr. Ent. Ver. Apollo, Frankfurt, 6, 1–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • LANDE, R. (1988): Demographic models of the northern spotted owl (Striex occidentalis caurina). Oecologia 75, 601–607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LEHMKUHL, J.F. (1984): Determining size and dispersion of minimum viable populations for land management planning and species conservation. Environmental Management 8, 167–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MACARTHUR, R.H. & WILSON, E.O. (1963): An equilibrium theory of insular zoogeography. Evolution 17, 373–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MADER, H.-J. & MüHLENBERG, M. (1981): Artenzusammensetzung und Ressourcenangebot einer kleinflächigen Habitatinsel, untersucht am Beispiel der Carabidenfauna. Pedobiologia 21, 46–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • MADER, H.-J. (1979): Die Isolationswirkung von Verkehrsstraßen auf Tierpopulationen untersucht am Beispiel von Arthropoden und Kleinsäugern der Waldbiozönose. Schr.-R.-Landschaftspfl. Naturschutz H. 19, 131.

    Google Scholar 

  • MADER, H.J. (1981): a: Untersuchungen zum Einfluß der Flächengröße von Inselbiotopen auf deren Funktion als Trittstein oder Refugium. Natur und Landschaft 56, 235–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • MADER, H.-J. (1981): b: Der Konflikt Straße — Tierwelt aus ökologischer Sicht. Schriftenreihe für Landschaftspflege und Naturschutz 22, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, 104.

    Google Scholar 

  • MADER, H.J. (1983): Warum haben kleine Inselbiotope hohe Artenzahlen?. Natur und Landschaft 58, 367–370.

    Google Scholar 

  • MADER, H.-J. (1985): Welche Bedeutung hat die Vernetzung für den Artenschutz?. Schriftenreihe Deutscher Rat für Landespflege 46, 631–634.

    Google Scholar 

  • MADER, H.-J. (1988): In: SCHREIBER, K.-F. (eds.): Connectivity in landscape ecology. Münstersche Geographische Arbeiten 29, Münster 1988, 97–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • MARCOT, B.C., HOLTHAUSEN, R. & SALWASSER, H. (1988): An Assessment Framework for Planning for Viable Populations. Manuscript, 43.

    Google Scholar 

  • MARTIN, T.E. (1988): Habitat and area effects on forest bird assemblages: Is nest prédation an influence?. Ecology 69, 74–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MAYFIELD, H.F. (1977): Brown-headed cowbird: Agent of extermination?. Am. Birds. 31, 107–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • MüHLENBERG, M. & WERRES, W.: (1983): Lebensraumverkleinerung und ihre Folgen für einzelne Tiergemeinschaften. Experimentelle Untersuchungen auf einer Wiese. Natur und Landschaft 58, 43–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • MüHLENBERG, M. (1988): Konzeptentwicklung und Möglichkeiten praktischer Umsetzung von Biotopverbundsystemen. In: Biotopvernetzung in der Kulturlandschaft II, Schriftenreihe Angewandter Naturschutz, Lich, 5, 14–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • MüHLENBERG, M. (1989): Freilandökologie. 2. Auflage, UTB, Quelle & Meyer, Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, 432.

    Google Scholar 

  • MüHLENBERG, M. (1990): Langzeitbeobachtung für Naturschutz — Faunistische Erhebungs- und Bewertungsverfahren. Ber. ANL, 14, 79–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • ODUM, E.P. (1983): Grundlagen der Ökologie. Band 1, Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, New York, 476.

    Google Scholar 

  • OPDAM, J & SCHOTMAN, A. (1987): Small woods in rural landscapes as habitat islands for woodland birds. Acta Oecologica/Oecologica Gener. 8 (2), 269–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • PEARSALL, S.H., DURHAM, D. & EAGAR, D.C. (1986): Evaluation methods in the United States. In: USHER, M.B.: Wildlife conservation evaluation. Chapman and Hall, London, New York, 111–133.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • PETERS, R.H. (1983): The ecological implications of body size. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 330.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • PICTON, H.D. (1979): The application of insular biogeographic theory to the conservation of large mammals in the northern rocky mountains. Biol Conserv. 15, 73–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PLACHTER, H. (1984): Zur Bedeutung der bayerischen Naturschutzgebiete für den zoologischen Artenschutz. Ber. ANL 8, 63–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • PLACHTER, H. (1985): Schutz der Fauna durch Flächensicherung — Stand, Möglichkeiten und Grenzen.Schriftenreihe des Deutshcen Rates für Landespflege 46, 618–630.

    Google Scholar 

  • PUTZER, D. (1989): Wirkung und Wichtung menschlicher Anwesenheit und Störung am Beispiel bestandsbedrohter, an Feuchtgebiete gebundener Vogelarten. Schr.-R. Landschaftspflege u. Naturschutz 29, 169–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • RANNEY, J.W., BRUNER, M.C. & LEVENSON, J.B. (1981): The importance of edge in the structure and dynamics of forest islands. In: BURGESS, R.L. & SHARPE, D.M.: Forest island dynamics in man-dominated-landscapes. Springer-Verlag, New York, Heidelberg, Berlin, 67–95.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • REICHOLF, J. (1980): Die Arten-Areal-Kurve bei Vögeln in Mitteleuropa. Anz. orn. Ges. Bayern 1/2, 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • REMMERT, H. (1984): Ökologie. Ein Lehrbuch. Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, New York, 334.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • RIESS, W. (1986): Absp Info (Informationen zum bayerischen Arten- und Biotopschutzprogramm), 1, 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • RINGLER, A. (1989): Restitution von Eingriffsflächen und ihre Sukzessionsgeschwindigkeiten. Vortrag am Laufener Ökologie Symposium “Zeit” als ökologischer Faktor, Juni 1989, Ingolstadt.

    Google Scholar 

  • ROBBINS, C.S. (1979): Effect of forest fragmentation on bird populations. In: Management of southern forests for nongame birds. General Technical Report SE-14. USDA Forest Service. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, North Carolina, 198–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • SALWASSER, H., MEALY, S.P. & JOHNSON, K. (1984): Wildlife population viability: a question of risk. American Wildlife 49, 421–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • SCHNEIDER, M. (1986): Auswirkungen eines Jagdschongebietes auf die Wasservögel im Ermatinger Becken (Bodensee). Orn. Jh. Bad.-Württ. 2, 1–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • SCHONEWALD-COX, C.M., CHAMBERS, S.M. MCBRYDE, B. & THOMAS, L. (1983): Genetics and conservation. Menlo Park, Benjamin/Cummings.

    Google Scholar 

  • SCHRöDER, R.L. (1982): Habitat suitability index models: Pine Warbler. FWS/OBS — 82/10.28. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D.C, 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • SHAFFER, M.L. (1981): Minimum population sizes for species conservation. Bio science 31, 131–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • SHAFFER, M.L. (1985): The metapopulation and species conservation: the special case of the northern spotted owl. In: GUTIéRREZ R. L. & CAREY A.B.: Ecology and management of the spotted owl in the pacific northwest. Portland, OR, U.S.D Forest Service, 86–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • SIMBERLOFF, D. (1987): The spotted owl fracas: mixing academic, applied and political ecology. Ecology 68, 766–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SOULÉ, M.E. (1983): What do we really know about extinction? In: SCHONEWALD-COX, CM. CHAMBERS, S.M., MACBRYDE, B. & THOMAS, L.: Genetics and conservation, Menlo Park/CA, Benjamin/Cummings, 11–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • SOULÉ, M.E. (1986): Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, Massachusetts, 586.

    Google Scholar 

  • SUKOPP, H. (1971): Bewertung und Auswahl von Naturschutzgebieten. Schriftenreihe für Landschaftspflege und Naturschutz, Bonn — Bad Godesberg 6, .

    Google Scholar 

  • TEMPLE, S & CARY, J.R. (1988): Modeling dynamics of habitat interior bird populations in fragmented landscapes. Conservation Biology (4), 340–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TERBORGH, J.W. (1974): Preservation of natural diversity: The problem of extinction-prone species. BioScience 24, 715–722.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • THIOLLAY, J.M. (1989): Area requirements for the conservation of rain forest raptors and game birds in French Guiana. Conservation Biology 3 (2), 128–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • USHER M.B. (1980): An assessment of conservation values within a large site of special scientific interest in North Yorkshire. Fld. Stud. 5, 323–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • USHER, M.B. (1989): Scientific aspects of nature conservation in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Ecology 26, 813–824.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • VA. DORP, K. & OPDAM, P.F.M., (1987): Effects of patch size, isolation and regional abundance on forest bird communities. Landscape Ecology 1, 59–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • VA. HORNE, B. (1983): Density as a misleading indicator of habitat quality. Journal of Wildlife Management 47, 893–901.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WEISS, S.B., MURPHEY, D.D. & WHITE, R.R. (1988): Sun, slope, and butterflies: topographic determinants of habitat quality for Euphydryas editha. Ecology 69(5), 1486–1496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WERRES, W. (1989): Naturschutzfachliche Anforderungen an die Eingriffsplanung des Straßenbaus. Teil 1: Naturhaushalt. Manuskript, unveröffentlicht, 18.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHITCOMB, R.F., ROBBINS, C.S., LYNCH, J.F., WHITCOMB, B.L., KLIMKIEWICZ, M.K. & BYSTRAK, D. (1981): Effects of forest fragmentation on avifauna of the eastern deciduous forest. In: BURGESS, R.L. & SHARPE, D.M.: Forest island dynamics in man-dominated-landscapes. Springer-Verlag, New York, Heidelberg, Berlin, 125–205.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • WILCOVE, D.S. (1985): Nest predation in forest tracts and the decline of migratory songbirds. Ecology 66, 1211–1214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WILCOVE, D.S., MCLELLAN, C.H. & DOBSON, A.P. (1986): Habitat fragmentation in the temperate zone. In: SOULÉ, M.E.: Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, Massachusetts, 237–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • WILCOX, B & MURPHY, D.D. (1985): Conservation strategy: the effects of fragmentation on extinction. Am. Nat. 125, 879–887.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WILCOX, B (1984): In situ conservation of genetic resources: Determinants of minimum area requirements. In: MCNEELY, J & MILLER, K.R. (eds.): National parks, conservation, and development, IUCN and Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, 639–647.

    Google Scholar 

  • ZANDE, A.N. van der KEURS, W.J. ter & WEIJDEN, W.J. VAN DER (1980): The impact of roads on the densities of four bird species in an open field habitat — Evidence of a long-distance effect. Biol. Conser. 18, 299–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. OT Fabrikschleichach, Ökologische Station der Uni Würzburg, D - 8602, Rauhenebrach, Germany

    M. Mühlenberg, T. Hovestadt & J. Röser

Authors
  1. M. Mühlenberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Hovestadt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Röser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Zoologie, Universität Mainz, Saarstrasse 21, D-6500, Mainz, Germany

    Alfred Seitz

  2. Institute of Ecology and Genetics, University of Aarhus, Ny Munkegade, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Volker Loeschcke

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Basel AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mühlenberg, M., Hovestadt, T., Röser, J. (1991). Are There Minimal Areas for Animal Populations?. In: Seitz, A., Loeschcke, V. (eds) Species Conservation: A Population-Biological Approach. Advances in Life Sciences. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-6426-8_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-6426-8_16

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-6428-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-6426-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation