What are the best correlates of predicted extinction risk?

O'Grady, Julian J., Reed, David H., Brook, Barry W., and Frankham, Richard (2004) What are the best correlates of predicted extinction risk? Biological Conservation, 118 (4). pp. 513-520.

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Abstract

Direct estimates of extinction risk are frequently unavailable, so surrogate indicators are used in threatened species categorizations, but there is inadequate information on which best predict vulnerability. We compared the ability of 16 frequently-used factors to predict extinction risk for 45 vertebrate taxa. Median times to extinction were estimated using taxon-specific stochastic population models. Population size (N) and trend were clearly the best correlates of extinction risk in our data set. Stepwise multiple regression with additive and interaction terms identified N, N × trend, plus taxonomic level, number of sub-populations × N × trend, number of offspring (O) and N × O as predictors, and explained 70% of the variation. Trend was important in large, but not in small populations. Population size is the most important data to collect for threatened species and with trend should be the major focus in endangered species categorization and state of the environment reporting.

Item ID: 6015
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1873-2917
Keywords: extinction risk; population size; population trend; state of the environment; vertebrates
Date Deposited: 29 Jan 2010 04:20
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060899 Zoology not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 100%
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