TRACY, C. R.*; NUSSEAR, K; ESQUE, T; ZIMMERMAN, L; DEAN-BRADLEY, K; CASTLE, K; ESPINOZA, B; TRACY, C; Univ. of Nev., Reno; U.S.G.S.; U.S.G.S.; Univ. of Nev, Reno; U.S.G.S.; Colo. St. Univ.; Cal. St. Univ. Northridge; Charles Darwin Univ.: Overview of Conservation Physiology

The field of physiological ecology has evolved greatly over the most recent 20 years, and increasingly, the field has migrated from being a �stand-alone� discipline to deriving its importance in evolutionary biology (as we try to understand the mechanisms underpinning adaptation), and in conservation biology (as we try to apply physiological properties and processes as predictors of management efficacy). Effective use of physiological information in conservation biology requires extensive understanding of the ways in which fitness is enhanced by physiological properties and processes as well as the relationship between fitness and differences in environments including environments modified by humans. The use of evolutiono-environmental modeling to assess optimality of physiological adaptations in relation to environmental challenges represent an approach to how conservation physiology has, and should, develop. Questioning how social interactions among individuals can change physiology in ways that make individuals more vulnerable to disease in stressful environments also demonstrates how the complexity of physiological processes can predict the efficacy of conservation planning to benefit species. The area of conservation physiology will become pivotally important to conservation as we treat conservation challenges with hypothesis-based approaches to understand the direct and indirect physiological links to environments very different from those in which species have evolved.