An Expanded Framework for Community Viability Analysis. (7th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eichenwald, Adam J; Reed, J Michael
• Is Part Of: BioScience. Volume 71:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 626
• Page End: 636
• Publication Date: 2021-04-07
• Subjects: food web -- ecosystem-based management -- population viability -- species interactions -- conservation; Life sciences -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- United States -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology industries -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3568

Abstract

Abstract: Community viability analysis (CVA) has been put forth as an analogue for population viability analysis (PVA), an accepted conservation tool for evaluating species-specific threat and management scenarios. The original proposal recommended that CVAs examine resistance-based questions. PVAs, however, are broadly applicable to multiple types of viability questions, suggesting that the original CVA definition may be too narrow. In the present article, we advance an expanded framework in which CVA includes any analysis assessing the status, threats, or management options of an ecological community. We discuss viability questions that can be investigated with CVA. We group those inquiries into categories of resistance, resilience, and persistence, and provide case studies for each. Finally, we broadly present the steps in a CVA.