Beyond ecological traps: Perceptual errors and undervalued resources

James J. Gilroy, William J. Sutherland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

178 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Ecological traps arise when animals choose to settle in poor-quality habitats, leading to a reduction in their survival or productivity. Although this phenomenon has received comprehensive theoretical treatment in the recent literature, the corollary of the ecological trap (when animals choose to avoid good-quality habitats) is rarely discussed. Failure to recognize high-quality sites could influence the ability of a population to reach its threshold size. An exploration of this phenomenon brings new insights into existing cases of ecological traps. By considering the full range of pitfalls faced during settlement, the relationship between habitat quality and population size might become clearer. We argue here that an improved understanding of factors determining the colonization of high-quality sites could aid conservationists in mitigating the damaging effects of maladaptive habitat selection.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)351-356
Number of pages6
JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution
Volume22
Issue number7
Early online date9 Apr 2007
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2007

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