Equilibrium theory
This page connects the concept of habitat islands with
Equilibrium Theory and the species area equation. You should also look
at:
Equilibrium
theory of island biogeography
Origin of the theory
Debate on the theory
Habitat islands
Since a remnant patch can be defined as a 'patch of
native vegetation around which most or all of the original vegetation
has been removed' (Saunders
et al., 1991), remnant patches are often referred to as habitat islands.
The shape and size of habitat patches are thought to
influence species abundance and distribution.
At the heart of conservation biology and reserve design
over the last 30 years have been the concepts of the Equilibrium Theory
of Island Biogeography (MacArthur
and Wilson, 1967) and the species area equation (Preston,
1960).
If the 'Theory' can be applied to habitat islands created
by human disturbance, then it is an important consideration in reserve
design and when trying to conserve biodiversity. The 'Theory' has been
tested with this in mind, but it has been disputed.
