A SYSTEMATIC-APPROACH TO SOME ASPECTS OF CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

A more systematic approach to conservation biology would be desirable for several reasons. It would reduce the biases that can arise from ov erlooking potentially important factors in conservation applications; it could help to clarify important definitions; and it could help to r elate apparently disparate studies. We suggest that models adopted fro m the familiar models of analysis of variance (ANOVA) can provide such an approach and serve these purposes. We present such a model. Its te rms provide a checklist that could be used to assess the completeness of databases, management plans, and theoretical models. Red-cockaded W oodpecker (Picoides borealis) conservation is discussed as an example of the usage of this model as a checklist. The model presented here ca n also be used to clarify the definitions of some important concepts, especially the definitions of demographic stochasticity and environmen tal stochasticity, which different authors have sometimes used differe ntly. This model provides a way of clarifying and communicating whatev er definition an author may choose to use. Finally, we suggest that th e model we present, or similar models also based upon ANOVA models, ca n be used to relate theoretical models to each other, and to empirical studies, by identifying the types of variation that are present or ab sent in each.