Why use Population Viability Analysis?
The managers of a national park may wish to ensure that certain species always occur in their park, while people who frequently visit that park may be concerned if a conspicuous species disappears. Most countries have recognised their responsibility to preserve as much of their indigenous biodiversity as possible. Managing for populations of all species that will ensure an acceptable level of viability in all regions is fundamental to two components of biodiversity preservation: species diversity and within-species genetic diversity. The latter is concerned with the preservation of local populations of a species even if the species as a whole is not threatened with extinction. Assessing the risk of population extinction involves complex interactions between a variety of processes that are not easily understood without mathematical analysis. PVA may yield results that challenge or confirm our preconceived notions about wildlife management (Possingham, Lindenmayer and Norton, 1992). ALEX
