Behavioral Conservation: A Quantitative Review of The Literature

To assess the contribution of behavioral paradigms in conservation studies, I have examined 256 (N=1442) articles published in the journal Conservation Biology from 1987 (when CB was created) to 2002. The majority of these studies are empirical, conducted in the field, and included terrestrial vertebrates. Areas of behavior most commonly addressed in these studies were: dispersal and settlement, reproductive behavior and social organization, species interactions, foraging/feeding and pollination, genetic variability and behavior, cognition, behavioral endocrinology and physiology, communication, and behavioral evolution. These areas of behavioral research have helped biologists to understand and alleviate biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and ecosystem management/restoration.

I have identified 256 articles (N=1442) published in Conservation Biology between 1987 and 2002 that are directly related to animal behavior and conservation. Nine areas of behavioral research are commonly addressed in these studies: dispersal and settlement, reproductive behavior and social organization, species interactions, foraging/feeding and pollination, genetic variability and behavior, cognition, behavioral endocrinology and physiology, communication, and behavioral evolution. These areas have helped biologists to understand and alleviate conservation problems such as extinction of endangered species and biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and ecosystem management and restoration.

<  |  >