Is conservation based on best available science creating an ecological trap for an imperiled lagomorph?

ABSTRACT: Habitat quality regulates fitness and population density, making it a key driver of population size. Hence, increasing habitat quality is often a primary goal of species conservation. Yet, assessments of fitness and density are difficult and costly to obtain. Therefore, species conservation often uses "best available science," extending inferences across taxa, space, or time, and inferring habitat quality from studies of habitat selection. However, there are scenarios where habitat selection is not reflective of habitat quality, and this can lead to maladaptive management strategies. The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is an imperiled shrubland obligate lagomorph whose successful recovery hinges on creation of suitable habitat. Recovery of this species is also neg

SUBMITTER: Cheeseman AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7820145 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature