This volume provides an overview of the concept of metapopulation dynamics - where a constellation of partially isolated patches can yield overall stability to a system that is chaotic at the level of the individual patch - which offers an important way of considering the conservation and management of dispersed or fragmented populations. This approach is proving to be a rich resource for biologists hoping to arrest the current catastrophic loss of biodiversity. Leading conservation biologists, ecologists, wildlife managers, and other experts consider the emergence and development of metapopulation theory and explore its applicability and usefulness to real-world conservation programs. |Introductory chapters provide background information on basic concepts, with subsequent chapters giving detailed methods of analyzing metapopulation structure. Case studies of an array of vertebrate species illustrate nuances of metapopulation theory analysis and its practical applications. Aimed at an applied professional audience, this is a fine introduction to this important new concept in wildlife management.