TY - JOUR
T1 - Beyond ecological traps: Perceptual errors and undervalued resources
AU - Gilroy, James J.
AU - Sutherland, William J.
PY - 2007/7/1
Y1 - 2007/7/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34250368380&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.tree.2007.03.014
DO - 10.1016/j.tree.2007.03.014
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34250368380
SN - 0169-5347
VL - 22
SP - 351
EP - 356
JO - Trends in Ecology & Evolution
JF - Trends in Ecology & Evolution
IS - 7
ER -