Many animals preferentially associate with certain other individuals. This social structuring can influence how populations respond to changes to their environment, thus making network analysis a promising technique for understanding, predicting, and potentially manipulating population dynamics. Various network statistics can correlate with individual fitness components and key population-level processes, yet the logical role and formal application of animal social network theory for conservation and management have not been well articulated. We outline how understanding of direct and indirect relationships between animals can be profitably applied by wildlife managers and conservationists. By doing so, we aim to stimulate the development and implementation of practical tools for wildlife conservation and management and to inspire novel behavioral research in this field.

许多动物优先与某些其他个体交往。这种社会结构可以影响人口对环境变化的反应，从而使网络分析成为了解，预测和潜在控制人口动态的有前途的技术。各种网络统计数据可以与个体适应性成分和关键的种群水平过程相关联，但尚未很好地阐明动物社会网络理论在保护和管理中的逻辑作用和正式应用。我们概述了野生动物管理者和保护主义者如何有益地应用对动物之间直接和间接关系的理解。通过这样做，