Allee effect

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Allee effect (pronounced: /ˈæliː/; etymology: named after Warder Clyde Allee, an American ecologist who first identified the phenomenon) is a biological concept in ecology that describes a correlation between population size or density and the mean individual fitness of a population or species.

Definition

The Allee effect is a phenomenon in biology characterized by a correlation between the population size or density and the mean individual fitness within a population or species. In smaller populations, the Allee effect can lead to a decrease in individual fitness, potentially leading to population extinction. This effect is particularly important in conservation biology, as it can affect the survival of small, isolated populations.

Types of Allee effect

There are two types of Allee effects: strong and weak. The strong Allee effect occurs when at low population densities, the population growth rate becomes negative. In contrast, the weak Allee effect occurs when the population growth rate is positive but decreases as population density decreases.

Causes

The Allee effect can be caused by several factors, including difficulties in finding mates at low population densities (mate finding Allee effect), cooperative defense mechanisms, and cooperative feeding.

Implications

The Allee effect has significant implications in conservation biology, particularly in the management of endangered species. It is also relevant in the study of invasive species, as it can influence the success of establishment and spread of these species.

See also

External links

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