Metapopulation Dynamics: From Concepts and Observations to Predictive Models

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on metapopulation dynamics and metapopulations, essentially agreeing with the classical concept. In an increasing number of species, spatial structure populations is somehow consequential to their dynamics. Many studies have demonstrated that small in habitat fragments a high risk extinction. Populations nature exhibit continuous variation structures. Species may persist at scale larger than local population due “spreading risk” process, which involves movements among asynchronously fluctuating populations. The consequences this spreading space will include relative reduction amplitude fluctuations animal numbers entire population. However, it not possible long-term persistence even without some density dependence dynamics, given sizes are restricted, as they always are, below maximum value. Incidence be low persisting comparison incidence necessary for isolated combination long time little associated turnover rate, frequent extinctions colonizations.