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Predictive accuracy of population viability analysis in conservation biology

Abstract

Population viability analysis (PVA) is widely applied in conservation biology to predict extinction risks for threatened species and to compare alternative options for their mangement1,2,3,4. It can also be used as a basis for listing species as endangered under World Conservation Union criteria5. However, there is considerable scepticism regarding the predictive accuracy of PVA, mainly because of a lack of validation in real systems2,6,7,8. Here we conducted a retrospective test of PVA based on 21 long-term ecological studies—the first comprehensive and replicated evaluation of the predictive powers of PVA. Parameters were estimated from the first half of each data set and the second half was used to evaluate the performance of the model. Contrary to recent criticisms, we found that PVA predictions were surprisingly accurate. The risk of population decline closely matched observed outcomes, there was no significant bias, and population size projections did not differ significantly from reality. Furthermore, the predictions of the five PVA software packages were highly concordant. We conclude that PVA is a valid and sufficiently accurate tool for categorizing and managing endangered species.

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Figure 1: Plot of the PVA-predicted probability of population decline (quasi-extinction risk) versus the actual proportion of the 21 real populations that decline below the corresponding threshold size.
Figure 2: Signed predictive bias in projected population size (compared with actual population numbers), taken across 21 populations for five PVA packages.

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Acknowledgements

We thank K. Armitage, M. Boyce, J. Cannon, C. Catterall, T. Clutton-Brock, M. Curry, B. Grenfell, R. Harden, J. Kikkawa, M. Lynch, C. Mirande, R. Peterson, C. Schwartz, P. Smith, J. Vucetich and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team for supplying data, and S. Andelman, J. Ballou, J. Bull, S. Ferson, I. Hanski, R. Harris, J. Kikkawa, R. Lacy, H. McCallum, M. McCarthy, S. Mills, P. Miller, S. Pimm, H. Regan and M. Soulé for comments on the manuscript. This study was funded by Australian Research Council and Macquarie University grants.

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Correspondence to Barry W. Brook.

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Brook, B., O'Grady, J., Chapman, A. et al. Predictive accuracy of population viability analysis in conservation biology. Nature 404, 385–387 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35006050

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