Applying Island Biogeographic Theory to an East African Reserve

Abstract

The isolation of nature reserves by encroaching civilization may provide significant changes in the structure and composition of protected animal communities. Recent models from applied island biogeographic theory provide a means of predicting the possible effects of isolation in the large-mammal community in the Mkomazi Game Reserve of northern Tanzania. A decrease in the number of large-mammal species inhabiting this preserve is predicted by all the models. The dynamic interdependence of the large-mammal communities of East African reserves is vital to their survival and yet is especially vulnerable to disruption from surrounding human activities. Knowledge of the effects of increasing isolation on the complex community interactions among the component ecosystems in East African reserves, will enhance conservationists' ability to minimize extirpation pressures in this region.