Investigate ecology by tracing relationships
In a groundbreaking study published in Ecography, researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have proposed a new approach to ecological management that emphasizes the importance of considering demography, or the study of populations, in addition to the traditional structural and functional aspects of ecological connectivity.
Lead author Joseph Drake, a graduate student at UMass, argues that understanding how human activities influence the location of plants and animals requires knowledge of where they currently are, where they want to be, and how they move. The new approach, demographically weighted, combines these three aspects to improve the accuracy of ecological models.
The research, with the DOI 10.1111/ecog.05552, argues that for effective ecological management, consideration should be given to the location of individuals, in addition to landscape. Ignoring demography, the study found, can significantly reduce the performance of ecological models, which could impact the survival chances of species.
Ecological connectivity is crucial for the persistence of plant and animal populations. Traditionally, it has been modeled in two ways: structurally (focusing on contiguous habitats and corridors) and functionally (considering species' responses to habitats they move through). However, the new approach suggests that focusing solely on the landscape is insufficient for effective ecological management, and a more comprehensive approach that includes demography is necessary.
The demographically weighted approach is beneficial not only for understanding current populations of plants and animals but also for predicting their future distribution as they adapt to climate change. The research highlights the importance of considering movement along pathways (for animals and plants) in ecological models to maintain plant and animal populations in the face of increasing urbanization and road development.
The study also underscores the growing importance of understanding species' dispersal as they adapt to climate change, as this knowledge could have significant implications for their survival. Co-authors of the research include Daegan Miller, who can be reached at [email protected], and other researchers from UMass Amherst.
For more information, Joseph Drake can be reached at [email protected]. The research emphasizes the need for a more holistic approach to ecological management, one that takes into account the location of individuals, their movement, and their demographic characteristics, to ensure the survival of plant and animal populations in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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