How individual links affect network stability in a large-scale, heterogeneous metacommunity

摘要: Elucidating how dispersal and landscape connectivity influence metacommunity stability will shed light on natural processes structuring ecosystems help prioritize conservation actions in an increasingly fragmented world. Much of the theoretical mathematical development concept has been based simplified experimental systems or simulated data. We still have limited understanding variation habitat matrix species-specific differences ability contribute to dynamics heterogeneous landscapes. model a rainforest mammals Borneo, tropical biodiversity hotspot, where protected areas are isolated by ongoing disturbance loss. employ combination hierarchical models local abundance, circuit-theory-based analysis, metapopulation models. Our goal was understand which links were most important persistence stability. Links particularly if they short connected two large patches. This partly because only very shortest could be traversed poorly dispersing species, including small herbivores such as chevrotains (Tragulus spp.) porcupines. that join patches into “super-patch” may also promote island–mainland rather than Levins-type for good dispersers, carnivores clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), reducing extinction risk thereby enhancing Link importance highly correlated between homogeneous But link capacity varied strongly across correlation scenarios low taxa. suggests environmental conditions area patches, matrix, is assessing certain individual species but less so entire metacommunity.