Animal Ecology (Z441)
Practice Questions: nature reserve design
1. For all of the following questions, suppose you have been
hired as a consultant to help design nature reserves. Money is available
to by a specified amount of area of land; you could buy it either all in
one location or you could buy several separate areas (but the total land
area is the same either way.) For each of the following goals, consider
whether it would be better to have a single large nature reserve or several
small nature reserves. Give a clear explanation for each recommendation.
(a) the main goal is to conserve the largest number of species
possible, regardless of what those species are. Answer this questions
first assuming there are no keystone species, then consider how your answer
might be different if there is a large keystone predator is important in
the areas you are considering.
(b) the main goal is to conserve a slow-growing, K-selected,
carnivorous species
(c) the main goal is to conserve as much genetic diversity as
possible within each of several species
(d) the main goal is to conserve an endangered species that is
known to show inbreeding depression (harmful effects of inbreeding.)
(e) the main goal is to protect an endangered species that is
harmed by edge effects
2. Discuss pros and cons of the use of habitat corridors and relocation
of animals as strategies for improving the success of nature reserves in
conserving species