Why Is an Understanding of Evolutionary and Population Processes Important for Species Conservation?
Why is an understanding of evolutionary and population processes important for species conservation?
Abstract
Evolution is it a theory of previous life becoming more like present life over time through means such as "natural selection" With an endless diversity of life, and variation as a result of the interactions of organisms with their environments.
Fundamental to the process of understanding how evolution works is to look at a combination of many mechanisms such as genetic variation, natural selection, adaption, mutation, gene flow, genetic drift and variation, sexual selection, fitness and genetic descent. The objectives of this paper aim to firstly look at all of the mechanisms within evolution, secondly to then look at any changes in the size of species populations and thirdly to see if having an understanding of all the mechanisms and how they can affect species populations can we have a better understanding of conservation.
1.0 Major mechanisms leading to evolutionary change
Natural selection is one of the basic mechanisms of evolution, and is a necessary process for change but it alone doesn 't define evolution. The important and underrated force at play is expansion. In order for evolution to occur natural selection must eliminate organisms unsuited for the environment, Mayr (2001) points out "At the first step, that of production of genetic variation, everything is a matter of chance, the random generation of new genetic subjects creates the diversity which then can undergo selection”.
Darwin 's views on evolution by natural selection are very simple in the Origin of Species (1859) he makes the point that “The principle by which each slight variation [of a trait], if useful, is preserved"
Alongside natural selection, mutation, and migration, genetic drift can be classed as one of the basic mechanisms of evolution. Genes that are passed down to the next generation are not always going to be the genes of the healthiest individual,
Abstract
Evolution is it a theory of previous life becoming more like present life over time through means such as "natural selection" With an endless diversity of life, and variation as a result of the interactions of organisms with their environments.
Fundamental to the process of understanding how evolution works is to look at a combination of many mechanisms such as genetic variation, natural selection, adaption, mutation, gene flow, genetic drift and variation, sexual selection, fitness and genetic descent. The objectives of this paper aim to firstly look at all of the mechanisms within evolution, secondly to then look at any changes in the size of species populations and thirdly to see if having an understanding of all the mechanisms and how they can affect species populations can we have a better understanding of conservation.
1.0 Major mechanisms leading to evolutionary change
Natural selection is one of the basic mechanisms of evolution, and is a necessary process for change but it alone doesn 't define evolution. The important and underrated force at play is expansion. In order for evolution to occur natural selection must eliminate organisms unsuited for the environment, Mayr (2001) points out "At the first step, that of production of genetic variation, everything is a matter of chance, the random generation of new genetic subjects creates the diversity which then can undergo selection”.
Darwin 's views on evolution by natural selection are very simple in the Origin of Species (1859) he makes the point that “The principle by which each slight variation [of a trait], if useful, is preserved"
Alongside natural selection, mutation, and migration, genetic drift can be classed as one of the basic mechanisms of evolution. Genes that are passed down to the next generation are not always going to be the genes of the healthiest individual,
References: Avise, J.C, 2007, On Evolution, 1st edn, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. Caro, T, 2006, Behavior and conservation: a bridge too far? University of California, Davis, CA. Clobert J., Siepielski, A.M., Edelaar, P. 2008, Matching habitat choice causes directed gene flow: A Neglected dimension in evolution and ecology. Blackwell Publishing Limited. Dale R Mc Cullogh, (1996), Meta populations and Wildlife Conservation, 2nd Edition, Island Press. Darwin, C, R, 1859, The Origin Of Species, 1st edn, John Murray, London. Eldredge, N, 2000, Species, Speciation and the Environment. Etienne, R., Wertheim, B., Hemerik, L., Schneider, P., Powell, J Fortin, D., Beyer, H., Boyce, M., Smith, D., Duchesne, T. & Mao, J. (2005) Wolves influence elk movements: behavior shapes a trophic cascade in Yellowstone National Park. Ecology, 86, 1320–1330. Hamilton, M. B. (1994), Ex Situ Conservation of Wild Plant Species: Time to Reassess the Genetic Assumptions and Implications of Seed Banks. Conservation Biology, 8: 39–49. Hilary D, (2007), Wildlife Conservation, H.W. Wilson Company. Mayr, E, 2001, What Evolution Is. New York. Basic Books. Mayr, E, 2007, The Objects of Selection Ridley, M. 2004, Evolution, 3rd edn, Blackwell Science, Oxford. Rockman, S, 2005, http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary, Understanding Evolution, accessed 22nd Feb 2012 Skelton, P. 1993, Evolution: A Biological and Palaeontological Approach, 1st edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, Open University. United Nations Conference on Environment And Development, 1992, Biodiversity Convention. UNCED, Geneva.