rescue effect A species arriving on an island may already be represented there and so may have the effect of reducing the chance of the extinction of that species from the island (i.e. of ‘rescuing’ it). The rescue effect will be greater on islands which are closer to the mainland source of species than more remote islands because the immigration rate will be higher. Compare equilibrium theory.

rescue effect A species arriving on an island may already be represented there and so may have the effect of reducing the chance of the extinction of that species from the island (i.e. of ‘rescuing’ it). The rescue effect will be greater on islands that are closer to the mainland source of species than more remote islands because the immigration rate will be higher. Compare EQUILIBRIUM THEORY.