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Cited by 670Wildlife Ecology and ConservationEcology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesAnimal Ecology and Behavior Studies

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Top Predators as Conservation Tools: Ecological Rationale, Assumptions, and Efficacy

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Sergio, Fabrizio, Caro, Tim, Brown, Danielle, Clucas, Barbara, Hunter, Jennifer, Ketchum, James, McHugh, Katherine, Hiraldo, Fernando·2008·Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
DOI 10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.39.110707.173545
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Abstract

We review the ecological rationale behind the potential compatibility between top predators and biodiversity conservation, and examine their effectiveness as surrogate species. Evidence suggests that top predators promote species richness or are spatio-temporally associated with it for six causative or noncausative reasons: resource facilitation, trophic cascades, dependence on ecosystem productivity, sensitivity to dysfunctions, selection of heterogeneous sites and links to multiple ecosystem components. Therefore, predator-centered conservation may deliver certain biodiversity goals. To this aim, predators have been employed in conservation as keystone, umbrella, sentinel, flagship, and indicator species. However, quantitative tests of their surrogate-efficacy have been astonishingly few. Evidence suggests they may function as structuring agents and biodiversity indicators in some ecosystems but not others, and that they perform poorly as umbrella species; more consensus exists for their efficacy as sentinel and flagship species. Conservation biologists need to use apex predators more cautiously, as part of wider, context-dependent mixed strategies.

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  • Top predators impact biodiversity by providing resources that would otherwise be scarcely available to other species or by initiating trophic cascades.

    “Top predators (e.g.large cats, raptors, crocodiles) impact biodiversity by providing resources that would otherwise be scarcely available to other species (e.g.carrion) or by initiating trophic cascades (Sergio et al. 2008, Terborgh 2010).”

    From Empty forests, empty stomachs? Bushmeat and livelihoods in the Congo and Amazon Basins (2011) · cites this paper as Sergio et al. 2008

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Metadata

Authors
Sergio, F., Caro, T., Brown, D., Clucas, B., Hunter, J., Ketchum, J., McHugh, K., & Hiraldo, F.
Affiliations
  • Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
  • University of California, Davis (US)
ORCID
Venue
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
2008-12-01
Volume
39
Issue
1
Pages
1-19
ISSN
  • 1543-592X (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-2069
DOI
10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.39.110707.173545
OpenAlex
W2130720260
Cited by
670
References
13
Citations by year
2026: 45 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 42 · 2014: 39 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 36
FWCI
1.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
other-oa
Locations
  • Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics (publishedVersion)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
Keywords
top predators, biodiversity conservation, surrogate species, umbrella species, flagship species, sentinel species, indicator species, keystone species, trophic cascades, species richness, ecosystem productivity

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