Literaturdatenbank |
![]() |
![]() |
Schlaepfer, M. A., Sax, D. F., & Olden, J. D. (2011). The potential conservation value of non-native species. Conservation Biology, 25(3), 428–437.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (25 Jun 2011 12:42:00 UTC) |
Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Schlaepfer2011 View all bibliographic details ![]() |
Categories: General Keywords: Aldabrachelys, Aldabrachelys dussumieri, Ernährung = nutrition, Habitat = habitat, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae Creators: Olden, Sax, Schlaepfer Collection: Conservation Biology |
Views: 1/687
Views index: 11% Popularity index: 2.75% |
URLs http://onlinelibra ... .2010.01646.x/full |
Abstract |
Testudinidae Cylindraspis Geochelone dussumieri Abstract:Non-native species can cause the loss of biological diversity (i.e., genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity) and threaten the well-being of humans when they become invasive. In some cases, however, they can also provide conservation benefits. We examined the ways in which non-native species currently contribute to conservation objectives. These include, for example, providing habitat or food resources to rare species, serving as functional substitutes for extinct taxa, and providing desirable ecosystem functions. We speculate that non-native species might contribute to achieving conservation goals in the future because they may be more likely than native species to persist and provide ecosystem services in areas where climate and land use are changing rapidly and because they may evolve into new and endemic taxa. The management of non-native species and their potential integration into conservation plans depends on how conservation goals are set in the future. A fraction of non-native species will continue to cause biological and economic damage, and substantial uncertainty surrounds the potential future effects of all non-native species. Nevertheless, we predict the proportion of non-native species that are viewed as benign or even desirable will slowly increase over time as their potential contributions to society and to achieving conservation objectives become well recognized and realized. Substitutes for Extinct Taxa Non-native species are sometimes deliberately introduced to fill an ecological niche formerly occupied by a closely related species (Donlan et al. 2006; Griffiths et al. 2010) (Table 2). Non-native species do not have the same cultural and historical value as native species, but they have been used as acceptable ecological substitutes in cases where the benefits of their ecological function are perceived to exceed the potential risks of introducing a non-native species. For example, Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) have been introduced to several small islands surrounding Mauritius, where they appear to have successfully substituted the herbivory and seed-dispersal functions of native tortoises that recently became extinct (Griffiths et al. 2010).
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |