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Opportunistic exploitation: an overlooked pathway to extinction
Trevor A Branch1, Aaron S Lobo, Steven W Purcell
1School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Box 355020, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. tbranch@uw.edu
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|April 9, 2013
Summary
Economic exploitation can drive species to extinction. A new model,
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Economics
Background:
- Single-species exploitation models suggest rarity increases value, making extinction profitable.
- However, multispecies exploitation systems present a more complex dynamic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe an alternative pathway to extinction in multispecies exploitation systems.
- To introduce and define the concept of 'opportunistic exploitation'.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of multispecies exploitation dynamics.
- Analysis of economic incentives driving species exploitation.
Main Results:
- In 'opportunistic exploitation,' highly valued species are targeted first and become rare.
- Exploitation then expands to less desirable species, subsidizing the further decline of valuable ones.
- This process can lead to the extinction of valuable species at low population densities.
Conclusions:
- Managers must identify conditions favoring opportunistic depletion.
- Regulations are needed to protect highly desirable species as exploitation broadens.
- Understanding multispecies dynamics is crucial for effective conservation.
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