Persistence through tough times: fixed and shifting refuges in threatened species conservation

Abstract

It may be possible to avert threatened species declines by protecting refuges that promote species persistence during times of stress. To do this, we need to know where refuges are located, and when and which management actions are required to preserve, enhance or replicate them. Here we use a niche-based perspective to characterise refuges that are either fxed or shifting in location over ecological time scales (hours to centuries). We synthesise current knowledge of the role of fxed and shifting refuges, using threatened species examples where possible, and examine their relationships with stressors including drought, fre, introduced species, disease, and their interactions. Refuges often ..