Question

Explain why ecologists think the focus of conservation efforts should be ecosystems, not individual species?

Answer 1

It depends on the species and its primary threats, there is no universal solution. Many South East Asian species are primarily threatened by poaching ("Empty forest syndrome"), whereas many "reptiles" and amphibians from Madagascar can apparently cope with fairly high levels of collection (e.g. Golden Mantella [Mantella aurantiaca]), while the loss of their often small habitat is the primary threat.