Wildlife-Habitat Relationships: Concepts and Applications

Ultimately the success of conservation efforts depends on gathering, analyzing and interpreting reliable information on species composition, communities, and habitats. In recent years, however, the availability of techology for assessing wildlife data has outstripped training in how best to use that technology. To aid the student and the professional, this books explains fundamental concepts of both wildlife habitat theory and statistical modeling analysis. It is the first major effort to bring together the theoretical framework and the practical applications of research on wild animals and their habitats. Taking a critical approach, the authors examine the rationale behind the most common methods of habitat analysis and provide a thorough, evaluative review of past and current literature. They begin with a look at the historical and legislative circumstances that gave rise to research on wildlife-habitat relationships. Next, chapters examine habitat in an ecological and evolutionary perspective: habitat fragmentation; ways in which habitat can be measured and the data then analyzed; and ways that the foraging behaviour of animals fits into analysis of habitat relationships. The closing chapters discuss predictive models and multivariate analysis. Throughout the book, the authors suggest directions for future research on wildlife habitat. “”Wildlife-habitat relationships”” goes beyond introductory wildlife biology textbooks and specialized studies of single species to provide a broad but sophisticated understanding of habitat relationships applicable to all species. Designed as a text for advanced students in zoology, ecology, wildlife biology and other natural resource fields, this volume provides explanations of ecological theory that will be useful as well for the practicing wildlife manager. The extensive literature review aims to serve as a source of information valuable to all researchers.