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Insect conservation: a synthetic management approach.

Samways MJ

Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. samways@sun.ac.za

Threats to insect diversity range from habitat loss and invasive alien organisms to environmental contamination and biological control. Many of the threats are synergistic, with the joint impact of habitat loss and global climate change being highly adversely synergistic. Recent research on insect conservation has elucidated some basic principles for conservation management. There are six basic principles that are interrelated and together provide guidelines for synthetic conservation management of insects. They are maintain reserves (principle 1), maintain as much quality landscape heterogeneity as possible (principle 2), reduce contrast between remnant patches and neighboring disturbed patches (principle 3), outside reserves, introduce land sparing (principle 4), simulate natural conditions and disturbance (principle 5), and connect similar patches of quality habitat (principle 6). These six principles constitute a coarse-filter, landscape approach. Permeating all six is the principle of maintaining healthy population levels, which require the combined support of the metapopulation trio of large patch (habitat) size, good patch quality, and reduced patch isolation. In addition to these six coarse-filter principles is an overlay of the fine-filter, species approach, in which particular species are given focused attention and management.

Published 13 December 2006 in Annu Rev Entomol, 52: 465-87.
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