Metapopulation dynamics and the quality of the matrix

The American Naturalist
J Vandermeer, R Carvajal

Abstract

In both strictly theoretical and more applied contexts it has been historically assumed that metapopulations exist within a featureless, uninhabitable matrix and that dynamics within the matrix are unimportant. In this article, we explore the range of theoretical consequences that result from relaxing this assumption. We show, with a variety of modeling techniques, that matrix quality can be extremely important in determining metapopulation dynamics. A higher-quality matrix generally buffers against extinction. However, in some situations, an increase in matrix quality can generate chaotic subpopulation dynamics, where stability had been the rule in a lower-quality matrix. Furthermore, subpopulations acting as source populations in a low-quality matrix may develop metapopulation dynamics as the quality of the matrix increases. By forcing metapopulation dynamics on a formerly heterogeneous (but stable within subpopulations) population, the probability of simultaneous extinction of all subpopulations actually increases. Thus, it cannot be automatically assumed that increasing matrix quality will lower the probability of global extinction of a population.

References

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Citations

Jan 10, 2002·Mathematical Biosciences·Robert Stephen CantrellWilliam F Fagan
Mar 27, 2010·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Ivette Perfecto, John Vandermeer
Jan 29, 2010·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Leigh C MoorheadPeter Bichier
Feb 8, 2014·PloS One·Stephanie DolrenryLaurence Frank
Jun 12, 2008·Ecology·Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, Susanne Schiele
Aug 13, 2011·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Christina M KennedyPeter P Marra
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Feb 18, 2016·The Science of the Total Environment·Raf AertsJohn R Healey
Aug 19, 2008·The American Naturalist·Karin C Harding, John M McNamara
Sep 13, 2003·The American Naturalist·Lluís BrotonsJean Louis Martin
Mar 28, 2009·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Andrea HolzschuhTeja Tscharntke
Jun 6, 2009·Journal of Environmental Management·Manuela Di GiulioSilvia Tobias
Jul 25, 2009·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Sandra B Muriel, Gustavo H Kattan
Aug 23, 2006·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Philip C StoufferThomas E Lovejoy
Jun 21, 2008·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Ivette Perfecto, John Vandermeer
Aug 17, 2006·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Traci D Castellón, Kathryn E Sieving
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Apr 19, 2007·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Alex Richter-BoixAlbert Montori
Feb 15, 2007·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·John Vandermeer, Ivette Perfecto
Aug 28, 2015·Environmental Entomology·Aldo De la MoraStacy M Philpott
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Dec 6, 2012·Nature Communications·George LivingstonNicolas Mouquet
May 1, 2021·Insects·Antonio Pulido-PastorRaimundo Real
Apr 20, 2021·Ecology·Anne M McLeod, Shawn J Leroux

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