¶ … island biogeography theory have affected the principles and practice of conservation design.
Changes in equilibrium theory have caused revision in the equilibrium theory of island biogeography pioneered by MacArthur and Wilson (1963, 1967) that shaped local and global conservation designs. Since the 1970s and more particularly the 1980s, scientists have discovered that although the equilibrium theory may be heuristic it has massive holes in both its practicality and authenticity that impair it from being accepted seriously. As a result, principles and practice of conservation design have changed too (Wu, 2008).
The best way to see the difference is by understanding the equilibrium theory of island biogeography posited by MacArthur and Wilson and the results in design that accorded. All of these notions have since been overturned.
Drawing on the popular equilibrium theory, MacArthur and Wilson posited that species diversity on an island was primarily and constantly engineered by the twin variables of immigration and extinction. To that accord, therefore, their theory predicted four results: (1) that diversity on any given island would function according to an equilibrium homeostatic rate of equal immigration to equal extinction; (2) that there would be a proportionate effect of island to mainland distance effecting species' immigration...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now