Open AccessThe importance of long‐distance dispersal in biodiversity conservation
Author(s) -
Trakhtenbrot Ana,
Nathan Ran,
Perry Gad,
Richardson David M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
diversity and distributions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.918
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1472-4642
pISSN - 1366-9516
DOI - 10.1111/j.1366-9516.2005.00156.x
Subject(s) - biological dispersal , biodiversity , habitat fragmentation , habitat , ecology , fragmentation (computing) , context (archaeology) , geography , conservation biology , population , environmental resource management , biology , environmental science , demography , archaeology , sociology
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.