title: Assessing the likely effectiveness of multispecies management for imperiled desert fishes with niche overlap analysis.
abstract: A critical decision in species conservation is whether to target individual species or a complex of ecologically similar species. Management of multispecies complexes is likely to be most effective when species share similar distributions, threats, and response to threats. We used niche overlap analysis to assess ecological similarity of 3 sensitive desert fish species currently managed as an ecological complex. We measured the amount of shared distribution of multiple habitat and life history parameters between each pair of species. Habitat use and multiple life history parameters, including maximum body length, spawning temperature, and longevity, differed significantly among the 3 species. The differences in habitat use and life history parameters among the species suggest they are likely to respond differently to similar threats and that most management actions will not benefit all 3 species equally. Habitat restoration, frequency of stream dewatering, non-native species control, and management efforts in tributaries versus main stem rivers are all likely to impact each of the species differently. Our results demonstrate that niche overlap analysis provides a powerful tool for assessing the likely effectiveness of multispecies versus single-species conservation plans.
authors: Department of Watershed Sciences, The Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5210 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, U.S.A.
authors: Brian G
authors: BG
authors: Laub
authors: Department of Watershed Sciences, The Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5210 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, U.S.A.|U.S. Geological Survey, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Utah State University, 5290 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, U.S.A.
authors: Phaedra
authors: P
authors: Budy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D003530:Cyprinidae / Q000502:physiology; D003531:Cypriniformes / Q000502:physiology*; D003889:Desert Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D056727:Endangered Species; D008954:Models, Biological; D011157:Population Dynamics; D015206:Southwestern United States; D014959:Wyoming
keywords: Catostomus discobolus; Catostomus latipinnis; Gila robusta; características de historia de vida; ecological similarity; habitat selection; life history characteristics; niche overlap; respuesta a la amenaza; selección de hábitat; similitud ecológica; threat response; traslape de nichos
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