Work

The importance of long‐distance dispersal in biodiversity conservation

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Dispersal is universally considered important for biodiversity conservation. However, the significance of long‐ as opposed to short‐distance dispersal is insufficiently recognized in the conservation context. Long‐distance dispersal (LDD) events, although typically rare, are crucial to population spread and to maintenance of genetic connectivity. The main threats to global biodiversity involve excessive LDD of elements alien to ecosystems and insufficient dispersal of native species, for example, because of habitat fragmentation. In this paper, we attempt to bridge the gap in the treatment of LDD by reviewing the conservation issues for which LDD is most important. We then demonstrate how taking LDD into consideration can improve conservation management decisions.

Source: Diversity and Distributions

DOI: 10.1111/j.1366-9516.2005.00156.x

Authors: Ana Trakhtenbrot, Ran Nathan, Gad Perry, David M. Richardson

Institutions: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Texas Tech University, University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University

Language: English

Topic: Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India, Israel Science Foundation, Division of Materials Research