Question

Conservation biologists argue that corridors of dispersal are just as important for the protection of endangered species as the areas of suitable habitat that are protected for populations to be maintained. Why are corridors of suitable habitat important in the management of endangered species? How did the study of Bengal tigers by Sharma et al. (2013) demonstrate migration-drift equilibrium and the importance of maintaining dispersal corridors between tiger conservation landscapes for maintaining genetic variability in Indian populations of tigers?

Answer 1

Corridors of suitable habitat are important in the management of endangered species as they maintain genetic variability by allowing for movement and dispersal between populations. The study by Sharma et al. (2013) on Bengal tigers demonstrated how maintaining dispersal corridors helps maintain genetic diversity in Indian tiger populations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Corridors of suitable habitat are important in the management of endangered species because they allow for the movement and dispersal of individuals between populations. These corridors connect isolated populations, preventing genetic isolation and promoting gene flow. As a result, corridors help maintain genetic variability, which is important for the long-term survival and adaptability of endangered species.

A study by Sharma et al. (2013) focused on Bengal tigers in India and demonstrated the importance of maintaining dispersal corridors for maintaining genetic variability. The study found that migration-drift equilibrium, which is the balance between genetic drift within populations and gene flow between populations, was maintained in Indian populations of tigers due to the presence of dispersal corridors. Without these corridors, genetic isolation and loss of genetic diversity would have occurred.