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key concept

54.4

Population Biology Can Be Used in Conserving and Managing Populations

If we want to manage other species—that is, to increase or decrease their populations—we need to understand their life histories and population dynamics. We turn now to how populations can be managed to our benefit.

focus your learning

  • Appropriate management and conservation of wild or commercial populations requires knowledge of their life history strategies and population dynamics.

  • Successful control of undesirable species, including biological control, relies on an understanding of population dynamics.

  • Thorough understanding of metapopulation dynamics can help prevent species extinction.