Tracking the long-term decline and recovery of an isolated population
Effects of small population size and reduced genetic variation on the viability of wild animal populations remain controversial. During a 35-year study of a remnant population of greater prairie chickens, population size decreased from 2000 individuals in 1962 to fewer than 50 by 1994. Concurrently, both fitness, as measured by fertility and hatching rates of eggs, and genetic diversity declined significantly. Conservation measures initiated in 1992 with translocations of birds from large, genetically diverse populations restored egg viability. Thus, sufficient genetic resources appear to be critical for maintaining populations of greater prairie chickens.
Westemeier
RL
R. L. Westemeier, Illinois Natural History Survey, Effingham, IL 62401, USA. J. D. Brawn, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. S. A. Simpson and T. L. Esker, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Newton, IL 62448, USA. R. W.
Brawn
JD
Simpson
SA
Esker
TL
Jansen
RW
Walk
JW
Kershner
EL
Bouzat
JL
Paige
KN