Inter-reserve distance

Since the mid-1970s, reserve planners have been advised to locate reserves in close proximity to facilitate biotic migration. The alternative, putting great distance between reserves as a safeguard against catastrophe or long-standing chronic degradation forces, has received little discussion. The demise of a population can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic agents and the latter, including poaching and global warming, could be the bigger threat. Reserves sharing biotic components, whether close together or far apart, have advantages as well as costs. We need to consider whether the result of adopting the proximate reserve design guideline to preserve maximum species number will contribute to the potential extinction or extirpation of some rare flagship species? Should such extinctions occur, will society be understanding of science-based advise? Current conservation dogma that claims reserves should be located in close proximity demands more scrutiny because that choice may be tested this century.