Some ecosystem management plans established by state and federal agencies have begun to shift their focus away from single-species conservation to a broader goal of protecting a wide range of flora and fauna, including species whose numbers are scarce or about which there is little scientific understanding. To date, these efforts have proved extremely costly and complex to implement. Are there alternative approaches to protecting rare or little-known species that can be more effective and less burdensome than current efforts?
Conservation of Rare or Little-Known Species represents the first comprehensive scientific evaluation of approaches and management options for protecting rare or little-known terrestrial species. The book brings together leading ecologists, biologists, botanists, economists, and sociologists to classify approaches, summarize their theoretical and conceptual foundations, evaluate their efficacy, and review how each has been used.
Contributors consider combinations of species and systems approaches for overall effectiveness in meeting conservation and ecosystem sustainability goals. They discuss the biological, legal, sociological, political, administrative, and economic dimensions by which conservation strategies can be gauged, in an effort to help managers determine which strategy or combination of strategies is most likely to meet their needs. Contributors also discuss practical considerations of implementing various strategies.
Conservation of Rare or Little-Known Species gives land managers access to a diverse literature and provides them with the basic information they need to select approaches that best suit their conservation objectives and ecological context. It is an important new work for anyone involved with developing land management or conservation plans.
Foreword Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Conservation Goals and Objectives Chapter 3. Species Rarity: Definition, Causes, and Classification Chapter 4. Definitions and Attributes of Little-Known Species Chapter 5. Special Considerations for the Science,Conservation, and Management of Rare or Little-Known Species Chapter 6. Species-Level Strategies for Conserving Rare or Little-Known Species Chapter 7. System-Level Strategies for Conserving Rare or Little-Known Species Chapter 8. Effectiveness of Alternative Management Strategies in Meeting Conservation Objectives Chapter 9. Social Considerations Chapter 10. Economic Considerations Chapter 11. Implementation Considerations Chapter 12. A Process for Selection and Implementation of Conservation Approaches
Contributors Index
"An insightful look at what constitutes rarity and a much-needed synthesis of how resource professionals can evaluate and ultimately conserve rare species. This book debunks the false dichotomy between management for biodiversity versus management for rare species."
