spatial ecology i: metapopulations bio 415/615. questions 1. how can spatially isolated populations...
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Spatial ecology I: metapopulations
Bio 415/615
Questions
1. How can spatially isolated populations be ‘connected’?
2. What question does the Levins metapopulation model answer?
3. How does patch size and isolation influence metapopulation dynamics?
4. If population dynamics are correlated, does metapopulation extinction risk go up or down?
5. How do metapopulation models comment on the SLOSS debate?
Space: the final frontier
Spatial patterns dominate how ecologists view ecological problems. We’ve discussed many, like:
• Species-area curves• Island biogeography• Latitudinal gradient of diversity• Patterns of endemism
Space: the final frontier
Spatial ecology is the name given to studies that depend on spatial structure, whether implicit (separate patches that are influenced by outside forces) or explicit (specified spatial structure such as patch shape or distances).
Spatial ecology
As Hanski (1998) notes, the contribution of space to ecological processes can be addressed in 3 ways:
1. Separate patches of uniform structure.2. Separate patches of varied structure and
connectivity.3. Continuously varying landscape factors.Is one approach better than others?
1 32
Why should we consider space in conservation biology?
• We have 5 populations of a rare animal. PVA says they each have a 50% chance of going extinct in the next 10 years.
• If the populations are CLOSED and INDEPENDENT, then the chance that ALL populations go extinct in the next 10 years is .5x.5x.5x.5x.5 = 3% (or ed)
But what if they aren’t independent events?
How could populations be ‘connected’?
• Dispersal / Immigration– Fast growing populations could augment
slow growing or endangered populations– Disease or predators could spread from
one patch to another– Genetic diversity could increase with
outside immigration
• Environment– Resources or disturbances could be
correlated between patches
Simple metapopulation scenario
• Assume there are lots of ‘equal’ patches (P) that support individuals of one species
• Assume each population has the same extinction risk (E) and ability to colonize other patches (C)
• Assume no time lags or other complications
Under what conditions (E,C) will the metapopulation persist?
= Levins model
(Richard Levins developed metapopulation concept around 1970)
ΔP = CP(1 – P) - EP
Change in occupied patches equals the total colonists (C*P) times the number of patches available (1-P) minus the number of extinct patches (E*P).
= Levins model
When ΔP is zero, the total patches occupied are in equilibrium, and
P = 1 – E/CThus, when extinction rates (E) are less
than colonization rates (C), some patches will be occupied.
In other words, high local extinction rates can be offset by high migration between patches to allow species to persist indefinitely in a metapopulation.
Digression: Huffaker 1958
Set up an experiment on the population growth of a mite that eats oranges, and its predator (also a mite). At first, had a hard time getting the prey to persist in the presence of the predator, BUT…
Digression: Huffaker 1958
… after manipulating the distances between oranges, creating corridors for dispersal, and setting up partial barriers to the predators, he could increase the survival rate for both species. This demonstrated the importance of spatial configuration of ‘habitat’ patches.
Levins model: too basic?
• We wouldn’t use the Levins model to explore the persistence of real metacommunities. WHY?– Patches are different
• What properties of patches influence population persistence in an open system?
IBT revisited in metapopulations
• Patches differ in extinction rates and colonization rates. How is patch variation in C and E estimated?
Colonization rates
estimated from
measures of patch
isolation
Extinction rates
estimated from
measures of patch
size
Area and isolation
Extinction rate (E) can be derived from estimates of extinction risk in different areas:
P(extinction) ~ Aβ
low
high
Area and isolation
Colonization rate (C) can be derived from estimates of the probability of colonizing an empty patch: patch connectivityconnectivity = F(distance to neighbors, dispersal distance)
low
high
Correlated patches
Why should demographic parameters (births, deaths, etc) be correlated between patches?
• Large-scale environmental factors (climate)
What is the effect of positive patch correlation on metapopulation extinction risk?
Disturbance-Climate Relations Southern
Oscillation & fire --Swetnam & Betancourt 1990
Demographic correlation and extinction risk
Several small populations can be more persistent than a single large population, but only if population dynamics are partially uncorrelated. What is the role of dispersal here?
How do we measure correlation of populations in
different patches?
• DISTANCE. Why?– Distance decay of similarity– Dispersal
Distance
Mean
E
nvir
on
men
tal si
mila
rity
Adding more realism
• Subpopulation dynamics– Structured metapopulation model
• Patch quality & K• Temporal trends in patch quality• Spatially explicit model• Spatially realistic model
– Spatial location (distance), Habitat quality– Corridors– Matrix quality and dispersal (vs. distance)= LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY!!!
Simulation Models
• Demographic stochasticity• Distances and arrangements of
populations• Initial abundance• growth rate (R), survival rate (S), SD of R,
K, temporal trend in K• Density dependence• Ave., max. dispersal distance, dispersal
rate• Spatial autocorrelation in environment (L)
Could be added
• Age or stage-structure• Catastrophes (disturbances)• Density dependent dispersal• Allee effects• Landscape change• Matrix variability
Metapopulation MapsNo Dispersal (L)
Dispersal (R)K=20, R=1.2, SD=.5
Population Options (each of 5)
Environmental Correlation (L)Dispersal
5 Populations: Correlated Environments
Top: No Dispersal Bottom: High Dispersal
5 Populations: Uncorrelated Environments
Top: No Dispersal Bottom: High Dispersal
5 Populations: Uncorr Env Top: Single Large (K=100, R=1.2,
SD=.6)Bottom: 5, UnCorr, High Dispersal
5 Populations: Uncorr Env Top: Single Large (K=100, R=1.2, SD=.6)
Bottom: 5, UnCorr, High Dispersal
Spotted OwlSouthern California
Spotted OwlSouthern California
Spotted OwlSouthern California
Spotted OwlSouthern California
Spotted OwlSouthern California
Increase R to 1.2 & K to Increase R to 1.2 & K to 100 for $100,000100 for $100,000
Spotted OwlLarge So. Pops. R=1.2, K to 100
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