Conservation and Animal Behavior

Abstract

Although conservation biology is concerned with the maintenance of viable populations and ecosystems, individual animal behavior will often determine how systems respond to human-mediated environmental disturbance. Conservation behavior, an emerging discipline, is beginning to tackle some of the conservation issues facing animals in our changing world. Researchers from disparate backgrounds in animal behavior, most notably behavioral ecology and applied ethology, are using the tools of their trade to contribute to conservation efforts, including reserve design, mítigating human disturbance, and reintroduction programs. Many aspects of behavior impinge on conservation, such as mate selection, social behavior, animal movements and habitat selection, antipredator behavior, stress, and behavioral plasticity.