Habitat Models for Population Viability Analysis

Abstract

Determining what constitutes a suitable habitat for different species is a fundamental part of applied ecology and is the core component of many conservation planning strategies. Information on habitat availability underpins efforts to assess the threats faced by species and to determine the adequacy of conservation reserves (e.g. Margules et al. 1988). Expert rules are often used to categorize the response of a species to changes in available habitat (e.g. Mill-sap et al. 1990; Master 1991; Lunney et al. 1996; IUCN 2001). For example, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2001) method uses extent and changes in the amount of habitat to determine the conservation statu..