Effects of patch quality and network structure on patch occupancy dynamics of a yellow-bellied marmot metapopulation.

摘要: 1. The presence/absence of a species at particular site is the simplest form data that can be collected during ecological field studies. We used 13 years (1990-2002) survey to parameterize stochastic patch occupancy model for metapopulation yellow-bellied marmot in Colorado, and investigated significance patches influence quality, network characteristics regional stochasticity on persistence. 2. Persistence was strongly dependent high quality colony sites, persistence probability highly sensitive small changes these sites. 3. A relatively number sites ultimately responsible However, lower satellite also made significant contribution long-term persistence, especially when high. 4. northern more stable compared southern network, depended heavily network. 5. Although complex models dynamics may provide accurate description dynamics, such are data-intensive. Our study, one very few applications mammalian species, suggests important insights into using easy collect.