Integrating behaviour into wildlife conservation: the multiple ways that behaviour can reduce N-e

There has been a recent interest in integrating an understanding of behavio ur into conservation biology. Unfortunately, there has been no paradigm for such a process. Without a clear framework for integration, conservation bi ologists may have difficulties recognising how behavioural knowledge can he lp solve real-world conservation problems. Effective population size (N-e) is a key demographic parameter used to understand population viability. A v ariety of behaviours and behavioural traits impact N-e,N- yet their importa nce for conservation is under-appreciated. We suggest that identifying beha vioural traits that affect N-e provides a paradigm for integrating behaviou ral biology into conservation biology. Behaviour can affect N-e through at least three different mechanisms: reducing N - the population size; reducin g r - the population growth rate, and/or by increasing reproductive skew. W e discuss how nine common behavioural traits can reduce N-e, and suggest ho w an understanding of these traits may inform management of both free-livin g and captive animals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.